I recently replaced a prewired pickguard and tremolo block on my Squier SE Strat. I hardtailed the tremolo by installing additional springs to the back of the guitar and tightened the claw so the bridge sits flush on the wood. After I changed the strings I noticed that I had to tighten down the saddle screws significantly to increase the height. The screws are about half to three-quarters of the way in the saddle and they are pretty high. Is this normal?

Thanks in advance!

Yes its perfectly normal. You've lowered the whole bridge section by setting the trem flat as opposed to float. (Hardtail is something completely different, its a guitar with no tremolo unit). Consequently you have to re-adjust the saddles to compensate for the lower sitting bridge.

All the best with it Firsttimestratguy

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No no and no

I thought that it was strange at how deep the screws went into the saddle but your explanation makes total sense. Thanks, nikininja.

Yup, what Niki said

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

Are longer saddle screws available for sale somewhere? It looks like the saddle screws are screwed all the way in and I'm not sure they're already hitting the bottom of the saddle...

Bump, I'm blocking my deluxe and was wondering the same thing. After I lower the bridge to the body will I have enough adjustment in the saddles to get the correct string height?

Thanks

You probs won't dude. I did the same thing and mine wernt long enough. The saddle adjustment screws are cut down before leaving the factory once they have been adjusted and action height to make a tidy bridge BUT! That's only on a 6 screw vintage style bridge! A 2 point pivot bridge you can lower the whole bridge plate. Mine is a vintage and as a result ive re floated the bridge just enough to get some screw back int the saddle even tho I'm not guna bother with a whammy bar.