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Post subject: Setting up a Stratocaster Bridge
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2015 12:43 pm
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I use the tremolo very spairingly, but when I do, I like my guitar going back to pitch. In the last year, I was at my Luthier's shop and he was setting up a bridge on my Dlx Strats Plus. In doing so, he lifted the non-neck side (block end?), then he raised the neck side (closest to the pickups and neck) till both sides were level. I also use five spings. Lastly, he makes sure that the nut is properly slotted. In the end, I have a trem that is stable and goes back to pitch.

The best part is when I wrest my hand on the bridge (like many people do), the bridge doesn't move.

Has anyone else does this to a bridge? Also, what are your thoughts on this style of set-up?


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Post subject: Re: Setting up a Stratocaster Bridge
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 10:27 am
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Thoughts..? Well, I believe your tech may have learned setups doing Floyd Rose style tremolos - those should to be set level with the guitar body.

But the design idea for Stratocaster tremolos is different, the back end of the trem plate is supposed to be higher than the front.
The Strat Setup Guide advises that (on the modern, two posts tremolo) one pulls the trem arm so the back of the trem plate is against the body, then adjusts the posts so that the trem plate is in line with the body; "not lifted at the front or back of the plate" as they emphasize. After that one adjusts the trem spring screws so the back of the plate raises to the desired height. (Or, as many do it, deck the trem plate by tightening the screws a lot...)
I prefer to lift the front end posts just a bit, about level to the bottom layer of a 3-ply pickguard. IMHO, if the back end is in the S-S-Guide recommendations area (about 1/8"/3,2mm), raising the front end to the same level would be too much.
But: there's many ways to get the trem working properly, that's just how I do it.

The five springs do give that rigidity you mention, so the bridge won't move when your hand rests on it. But, you can get about the same situation with four or three springs screwed in a bit more; the overall trem spring tension (balanced against the string pull) is the same.

And, everybody likes the guitar to return to pitch after trem use :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Setting up a Stratocaster Bridge
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 11:13 am
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There is more to a good bridge setup that just the number of springs. I've been doing this for a lot of years. I read about this method in a guitar mag a very long time ago. Nowadays there is a video showing exactly how and why. My Strats stay in tune.


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Post subject: Re: Setting up a Stratocaster Bridge
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 1:21 am
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Now, I'm not trying to start an argument here (famous last words...)
And I'm certainly not questioning Mr. Verheyen's skills or understanding in music, guitars, gear etc.
And, "there's many ways to get the trem working properly".
And, YMMV.

But for conversation's sake: I've tried that "slanted claw" setup, and IMveryHO it doesn't do anything more than a normal "straight claw" setup.
The "most pull on the thickest strings" is not exactly right, on D'Addarios for instance the D string can be the biggest puller, and almost in every gauge the A has bigger tension than the lowE.
I don't know enough physics to question the "more pull on the other side of the claw" idea, but doesn't the rigid trem plate/block assembly straighten the pull direction..?
And as the final blow: as far as I know, the "slanted" way is not the mainstream way on setups, not among the techs nor the stars.
So, my small mind has come to the conclusion that the stability in a trem that is set up slanted depends on the overall work & care the guitar gets, not on the slanted claw.

But repeating: there's many ways to get the trem working properly.


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Post subject: Re: Setting up a Stratocaster Bridge
Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 11:16 am
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This is just my own $.02 worth, but considering how Paris started his original comment, I think it's well worth mentioning that we're sort of talking about 2 different things here...tuning stability and setup.

It's true that a poorly setup bridge can contribute to tuning issues, however regarding tuning stability alone it should be pointed out that there are OTHER things that can cause problems just as frequently as bridge setup...if not more so (how the strings are wound, the nut, etc). With this in mind however, as jmartis points out, there are a number of ways to setup the bridge. Very simply, a good deal of how a trem is setup really comes down to the individual player...the best techs I've ever seen will WATCH a person play for a bit, before deciding on how to setup the guitar. A person prone to dive bombs for example will likely need the bridge setup differently than a person who simply uses the trem for a degree of "expression". If you listen to the guy in the video, even he essentially states "this is what I like".

Personally I've probably tried just about every setup trick in the book at one time or another, from the butt end of the trem sticking up in the air to having the trem completely decked. For the most part I play classic rock, blues and oldies and with my own style and technique, as a general rule I'm not terribly heavy handed with the trem, however I do like the ability to pull up...at least a little (having the trem decked just drove me nuts). For myself, I do tend to setup my guitars with the trems up off the body just a bit, so that it does actually float and the spring claw is angled a bit...I use Boomer "Thick & Thins" and the low strings are a bit heavier than your average .010 gauge strings (the low E is a .52), so the bass side of the claw get's an extra crank or two with the screwdriver. That's not to say this is right or even suggested for everyone, it's just works best for me and how I play.

I would also add that as the guy in the video points out, sometimes you have to play with it to get it exactly where it needs to be. I've been doing my own setups for many years now, so yea...I can usually nail it within a few minutes on an average Strat. For a person who's new to setups however, it could take a while. What's more is that if other adjustments have been made, such as a truss rod adjustment...I typically give the neck a few days to settle out after a truss rod adjustment before I do any final adjustments to the bridge.

So to sum that all up, my thoughts on that style of setup are simply this; it all depends on the person playing.

8)


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Post subject: Re: Setting up a Stratocaster Bridge
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 6:25 pm
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Is there any compelling reason not to partially block the front (neck side) only of the trem block, such that the springs pull the trem block hard against the block, until you depress the whammy bar? When you let go, it should return to the block.

I suppose it's no longer a "floating" trem as such, (and therefore no pulling up on the whammy bar,) but shouldn't it return to correct tuning, as if in a fully blocked setup? It should stay in tune even if a string breaks, or if you go to an alternate tuning.

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Post subject: Re: Setting up a Stratocaster Bridge
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 10:56 pm
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Floating hasn't worked for me. Thanks for the link Matt. 5 springs, decked.

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Post subject: Re: Setting up a Stratocaster Bridge
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2015 4:06 pm
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Compelling reason not to block?
I like shaking chords up and down.

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Post subject: Re: Setting up a Stratocaster Bridge
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2015 11:31 pm
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John L Rose wrote:
Is there any compelling reason not to partially block the front (neck side) only of the trem block, such that the springs pull the trem block hard against the block, until you depress the whammy bar? When you let go, it should return to the block.

You could do that, but why?
You get the same result somewhat easier by "decking" the tremolo (= tightening the trem springs so much that the trem plate lies flat against the guitar body).

But, since this topic rose up again:
Solid Body Love Songs wrote:
Floating hasn't worked for me.

Why didn't it work - problems staying in tune, something you don't like when playing..?


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Post subject: Re: Setting up a Stratocaster Bridge
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 8:35 pm
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Staying in tune for more than 2 songs for me was not happening. My playing style is unrefined at best. :D

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Last edited by Solid Body Love Songs on Sat Oct 03, 2015 10:36 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Setting up a Stratocaster Bridge
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2015 10:57 pm
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So Rollie, most of your Strats are what? Old school vintage style or newer versions like Standards, Highway Ones, etc?

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Post subject: Re: Setting up a Stratocaster Bridge
Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2015 10:43 am
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Matt, I have one real Strat an MIM, and a Michael Kelly Vex NV , the one that I call my super Strat.

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Post subject: Re: Setting up a Stratocaster Bridge
Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 10:13 pm
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Well after reading and looking over many videos I thought I would try again to set up my new 2015 Standard Strat bridge. Up till this point I was able to stay in tune till I used the trem. SO I slightly raised the six screws lifting/loosening the trem slightly. BINGO! I played this evening using the trem and was able to return back to tune every time. Now it is off to find some small plastic tubing to place over the end of the trem bar to stop the wiggle of the trem bar. Any suggestions where to get this tubing? Thanks


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Post subject: Re: Setting up a Stratocaster Bridge
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 3:36 pm
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vwelch01 wrote:
Well after reading and looking over many videos I thought I would try again to set up my new 2015 Standard Strat bridge. Up till this point I was able to stay in tune till I used the trem. SO I slightly raised the six screws lifting/loosening the trem slightly. BINGO! I played this evening using the trem and was able to return back to tune every time. Now it is off to find some small plastic tubing to place over the end of the trem bar to stop the wiggle of the trem bar. Any suggestions where to get this tubing? Thanks


Actually, if you're talking about the stuff I think you are (the stuff used on guitar stands?), check Home Depot in the plumbing section...they sell all sorts of various tubing there. Most of it is bulk and you can get it by the foot. If you'd be good with neoprene, you also might wanna check an auto parts store (Auto Zone, etc) and try a piece of vacuum tubing (err...no pun intended).

Good Luck!


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Post subject: Re: Setting up a Stratocaster Bridge
Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2015 12:01 am
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lomitus wrote:
vwelch01 wrote:
Well after reading and looking over many videos I thought I would try again to set up my new 2015 Standard Strat bridge. Up till this point I was able to stay in tune till I used the trem. SO I slightly raised the six screws lifting/loosening the trem slightly. BINGO! I played this evening using the trem and was able to return back to tune every time. Now it is off to find some small plastic tubing to place over the end of the trem bar to stop the wiggle of the trem bar. Any suggestions where to get this tubing? Thanks


Actually, if you're talking about the stuff I think you are (the stuff used on guitar stands?), check Home Depot in the plumbing section...they sell all sorts of various tubing there. Most of it is bulk and you can get it by the foot. If you'd be good with neoprene, you also might wanna check an auto parts store (Auto Zone, etc) and try a piece of vacuum tubing (err...no pun intended).

Good Luck!

Hey... thank you for the tip! I am off to Lowes first thing in the morning with whammy bar in hand.


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