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Post subject: Re: Strat Set Up - Where to Start and In What Order?
Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2016 12:14 pm
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Matt, great video. Thanks for posting.

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Post subject: Re: Strat Set Up - Where to Start and In What Order?
Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2016 12:12 am
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BMW-KTM wrote:
I've been setting up floating trems this way ever since the first time I read about it in some guitar magazine, maybe 20 or 25 years ago.
I find it is a quite musical sounding setup arrangement and it does help keep the guitar in tune with whammy bar use.


Thanks for the tips and advice. I've got it roughly dialed in but I'm having a hard time keeping it in tune - even with very little whammy bar use.


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Post subject: Re: Strat Set Up - Where to Start and In What Order?
Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2016 11:04 am
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Randy70065 wrote:
BMW-KTM wrote:
I've been setting up floating trems this way ever since the first time I read about it in some guitar magazine, maybe 20 or 25 years ago.
I find it is a quite musical sounding setup arrangement and it does help keep the guitar in tune with whammy bar use.


Thanks for the tips and advice. I've got it roughly dialed in but I'm having a hard time keeping it in tune - even with very little whammy bar use.


That's because the tension of the tremolo springs need to be the same as the tension of your strings.

If your tremolo spring tension is stronger than your string tension your guitar will go sharp when you use the tremolo bar. If the spring tension is weaker than the string tension the strings will go flat.

As you tighten the screws on the spring claw you increase the tension of the springs and when you back the screws out you lesson the tension of the springs.

Follow the instructions of the link I posted the strings and spring tension will be balanced.
It takes patients to get it right.

You will also end up with a staggered claw since as the video BMW posted, the lower E string has more tension than the high e.

I use the tremolo bar constantly and my strat stays in tune following those guidelines.

It's not the only way to balance the tension but it's one that works for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CkrKdQR6_g


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Post subject: Re: Strat Set Up - Where to Start and In What Order?
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2016 4:19 pm
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Also, one thing that makes a difference when setting up a trem is string gauge. I find that if you use heavier gauge strings, more springs should be added to the trem. I use .11's (not thaaaaat heavy, but enough) and I use 5 springs and I have no tuning issues excecpt with extreme abuse. Then again, my trem is an aftermarket Gotoh, so that definitely helps

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Post subject: Re: Strat Set Up - Where to Start and In What Order?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2016 7:54 pm
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I appreciate the tips. I've tried them and I'm probably 90% of the way to having a decent setup. A little nudge on the truss rod was a huge help but I'm still have trouble dialing in the intonation. I've used 3n1 oil on the trees, saddles, and sprinkled graphite powder on the nut which also helped.

I'm plugged in to a KORG GA 40. The tuner gets very touchy when I'm close to pitch so I don't know if it's the tuner or me, but when I think I have it just right I'm back to fidgeting with the tuners again 5 minutes later, and it's not just on one guitar. I have 2 strats, a US and a ProTone, and the results are the same with each one. It's frustrating.


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Post subject: Re: Strat Set Up - Where to Start and In What Order?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 11:50 pm
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Hey Randy, is your tuner chromatic or strobe? If it's chromatic, you're not going to get as precise intonation than if you were using a strobe. I know that this doesn't fix the problem with your tuner, but you can get a Peterson strobe tuner on your phone for $10, or free if opt for a different brand (less options though). So simply getting another tuner may be the way to go.

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Music is proof that whatever you love to do, it's f***ing expensive.

Gear:
Mesa Express 5:50
Fender 2003 Highway One Strat
Fender FSR MIM Tele
Korean Epiphone Dot
Taylor 114e


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Post subject: Re: Strat Set Up - Where to Start and In What Order?
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 8:53 pm
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bluefire98 wrote:
Hey Randy, is your tuner chromatic or strobe? If it's chromatic, you're not going to get as precise intonation than if you were using a strobe. I know that this doesn't fix the problem with your tuner, but you can get a Peterson strobe tuner on your phone for $10, or free if opt for a different brand (less options though). So simply getting another tuner may be the way to go.


If I can find one for my iPhone I'll get it. TBH it's been a pain to dial it in with the chromatic and I wasn't sure if it was the guitar, tuner, or maybe just me. For $10 it's worth a shot. Thanks for the tip!


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