I was really pissed when the whammy bar broke on my guitar hero controller yesterday. It broke in two ways; the bar was spinning freely in the hole, and the wheel broke away from its spring.

I've become so used to it being there that it was extremely difficult to play without it. I ended up taping it back in place just so I could hold on to it while I played. I always keep my fingers draped over it, excluding my index which I keep on the strum bar.

Then I got a great idea! I put a rubber band around the whammy bar and secured it to the strap post, wrapping it twice to make it tight... I then put a tiny piece of masking tape around the whammy bar at the base so it would give it friction and keep it from spinning around. I'm happy to say it works great! The rubber band does make it a bit too springy, but it does its job.

And yes, i do play a bit too much, that's why it broke :P Actually the chrome on one spot of the whammy has worn off from my finger oils and I can see the copper underneath.