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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 2:17 am
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3 springs 10's and set to float so it can pull the G string up a mi 3rd and the high E a whole step.

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Springs
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:59 am
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pb11335 wrote:
What is the best set up for springs in the Fender Strat. I just got a new Strat HSS and I've heard several different setups for springs work the best. Which set up you use?


Hopefully the one thing you've gotten from the various responses here is that the "best" setup is the one that works for -you-. Personally my MIM with the Callaham trem block has 4 springs and is set to float. With my two Squire Standards, both have 3 springs, one floats the other is tightened back. Different setups for different feels.

My suggestion is to just play with it and find what you like best. Only -you- can decide what's going to work "best" for you.

Peace,
Jim


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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 3:21 pm
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I've played a Tele most of my guitar life and I have recently purchased a Strat. What does floating mean? Does it mean not flush with the body? What are the advantages and disadvanteges compared to it being flush with the body?
I keep finding out all sorts of interesting things about the Stratocaster.

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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 3:47 pm
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I have experimented a lot and use different amounts of springs and positions on my Strats. Some have three and positioned like \I/ - others have four and leave middle "open" (II-II)- and lastly all five and floating.

The number of springs may affect your Strat's
tone. You are changing the way that the string vibrations
are transmitted to the wood of the body when you add
or remove springs.

You've got this hollowed-out area in the wood with all this metal
in it ... that's why a Stratocaster sounds like it does. :wink:

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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 3:47 pm
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I used 5 springs on my strat strung with 10s. It turned out to be too stiff for me and I ended up bending the trem bar a little. I ended up going back to 3 springs which I like better overall.

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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 4:08 pm
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yodacaster wrote:
What does floating mean? Does it mean not flush with the body? What are the advantages and disadvanteges compared to it being flush with the body?



You are correct in saying that "floating" means the bridge is not flush with the body. Basically it is balanced between the tension on the strings vs. the tension of the springs. In other words, this means that you can not only press down on the trem bar to lower the pitch (i.e. dive bomb) but you can also pull back and raise the pitch as well...and that's the biggest advantage of having the trem "float". The downside is that a free-floating trem, be it Fender, Floyd Rose, etc., is that it also introduces the potential for tuning problems, particularly in regards to an instrument that doesn't have "locks" (such as typically found on a Floyd Rose equipped instrument). In addition, "theoretically speaking", since your bridge is only making contact with either two or six screws (depending on which style you have), some also believe this lessens the degree of sustain the instrument may have because you have less contact between the bridge and the body. This is why some folks will just tighten the spring screws and pull the bring flush with the body...more stable tuning and better sustain.

Now it should be noted that the single biggest factor in regards to tuning stability on a Strat is simply the setup. -A lot- of people simply do not have their guitars setup well...either they don't know how to do it correctly themselves or they took it to an inept tech and as such, even the slightest bit of a bend with the trem bar can throw the instrument out of tune. For that matter, even how you have the strings wrapped on the tuning pegs can make a difference. A well setup Strat of decent quality however can be -very- stable...anyone who doubts this only needs to watch some SRV or Hendrix vids! LOL!!! As for the sustain issue, it also must be noted that most mid-level and lower end Strats have really poor, low mass, alloy trem blocks. In fact, even some of the Am Std trem blocks aren't quite as beefy as they should be. Replacing the trem block with a good steel trem block (such as those from Callaham) is going to make a much greater difference with your sustain then having it tightened ever will. In other words, a lot of this is quite subjective in regards to other aspects of how the instrument is setup.

Lastly I would also mention that for a lot of folks, it also simply comes down to "feel". Some folks like the floaters and some like those suckers cranked all the way back. I personally like a little of both which is why I have various Strats setup in various ways.

Okies...that's just my $.02 worth,
Jim


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Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 9:25 am
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Thanks for your $.02 worth Jim. It was helpful.

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