It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 8:06 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 10 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Tremolo decking question
Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2019 7:47 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Oct 20, 2019 6:49 pm
Posts: 1
Hi, I bought an american Professional series Strat this week.

When i'm bending or palm muting, the notes go out of tune so I was thinking of decking or blocking the tremolo (at least until I get better at playing).
It's a 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo

I'm A bit confused on how to exactly disable the tremolo.
I did lots of research but there were a lot of different techniques.
I know I can make it flat to the body or put wooden blocks in it or more strings but..

Do I have To do something with the 2 screws on the bridge itself? I don't want to damage anything :)

Anyways, love the tone, and how it looks and feels, the neck feels wonderful, amazing guitar but..
my cheap richwood guitar is still better for bending.
I'm sure with the proper setup the strat will be way better, but there's no store where i live so i have to do it myself.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Tremolo decking question
Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2019 4:05 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14045
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
Mario_B wrote:


Do I have To do something with the 2 screws on the bridge itself? I don't want to damage anything :)

.


No.Non and no !

IMO tremolo need a good set -up to stay in tune. And /or nut need some work.


Easy way to block tremolo; Screw spring claw to set the bridge on the body.

1- Take measurements of your action first.
2- Loosen a little bit all strings
3- tighten 2 screw of the tremolo claw to bring bridge tight to the body
4- Adjust saddles height to right action
5- Tune all strings


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tremolo decking question
Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2019 7:27 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2015 6:57 am
Posts: 2235
Location: UK
stratele52 wrote:
...

2- Loosen a little bit all strings
3- tighten 2 screw of the tremolo claw to bring bridge tight to the body
....


As soon as you loosen the strings the bridge will deck itself because it wont have the tension on the strings to hold it back.

Ignoring this, tightening the claw screws by around half an inch should be enough to ensure it stays decked when the strings are tuned again. Use a long shaft screwdriver ideally, or put a towel on the back of the guitar, to avoid scratching. The long shaft screwdriver is best as you get a good square force on the screw and don't risk damaging the screw heads by using a driver at an angle. If the screws seem overly tight, remove them completely and apply wax to the threads; it is unlikely, but shearing off a screw would be an absolute pain in the bum.

Once decked, (and before re tuning) check the flat sides of the bridge to ensure they are touching the body all the way along. The front of the plate has a bevelled angle so ignore this. If the back of the side is high then loosen the pivot posts (the two screws at front) - a quarter turn should do it. Similarly (but unlikely) if the front of the edge is high screw the posts in slightly. You are trying to get an even contact under the plate if possible.

After decking, and subject to how significant the plate was angled before decking (how high the back of the plate was), you will need to reset the saddle heights and intonation.

_________________
John

After all this time I should be better.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tremolo decking question
Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2019 8:26 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Wed Aug 26, 2009 4:50 pm
Posts: 1339
Location: Denver, CO, USA
If you ever do need to adjust the 2 pivot posts, only do it with the strings loosened.

The knife edges on the bridgeplate and the grooves in the posts can be damaged if you try to turn them with full string tension.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tremolo decking question
Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2019 9:00 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
First of all, if one can afford some 1500$€£ for a guitar, one should be able to invest some 80$€£ on an "initial setup for a new guitar", done by a good pro.

With a guitar that doesn't stay in tune when the trem is used, the problem often isn't in the trem at all...

And on terms (I'm OCD as usual...),
decking is using just the springs,
blocking is... well... using something (wood, eraser, coins, bolt&nut...)
to block the trem down.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tremolo decking question
Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2019 9:36 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:49 am
Posts: 660
Location: Cambridge UK
Quote:
First of all, if one can afford some 1500$€£ for a guitar, one should be able to invest some 80$€£ on an "initial setup for a new guitar", done by a good pro.
I'll go along with that! The problem, as JM implies, is finding a good tech/luthier.

I haven't had any luck with ones that work in guitar shops, especially ones that sold you the guitar. Some luthiers have good online reviews, but we all know what the internet's like for dodgy reviews. You're probably going to have to bite the bullet and travel a fair distance - like I do, in fact. But find a good one and you'll be amazed at how well the guitar plays afterwards.

Either that, or just deck/block the trem as per the advice given above!

Cheers - Peter.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tremolo decking question
Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2019 10:28 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
In my 'hood, the local guitar forums ("WOM marketing", if you please) are the absolutely best source for finding the good techs/luthiers - but I don't know if that works on the more global (= English language) forums.
One thing I'd advice to check on is the experience and/or education on guitarteching - one can get good either way.
But, as a distinguished forum member just today put it, "some punk at Guitar Circus who learned his craft solely by watching Youtube videos" probably isn't the best choice.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tremolo decking question
Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2019 11:14 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14045
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
John Sims wrote:
stratele52 wrote:
...

2- Loosen a little bit all strings
3- tighten 2 screw of the tremolo claw to bring bridge tight to the body
....


As soon as you loosen the strings the bridge will deck itself because it wont have the tension on the strings to hold it back.

Ignoring this, tightening the claw screws by around half an inch should be enough to ensure it stays decked when the strings are tuned again. .


I desagree. I would be afraid of stretching the strings too much, and also it will be easier to screw the claw.
And anyway it will be necessary to re-tune the guitar.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tremolo decking question
Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2019 11:55 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
One can always use the trem arm to help decking. But I do drop the tuning, too. Way I was taught, etc.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tremolo decking question
Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2019 6:55 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2015 6:57 am
Posts: 2235
Location: UK
stratele52 wrote:
John Sims wrote:
stratele52 wrote:
...

2- Loosen a little bit all strings
3- tighten 2 screw of the tremolo claw to bring bridge tight to the body
....


As soon as you loosen the strings the bridge will deck itself because it wont have the tension on the strings to hold it back.

Ignoring this, tightening the claw screws by around half an inch should be enough to ensure it stays decked when the strings are tuned again. .


I desagree. I would be afraid of stretching the strings too much, and also it will be easier to screw the claw.
And anyway it will be necessary to re-tune the guitar.


Disagree with what? I wasn't saying don't loosen the strings just that when you loosen the strings the trem will deck itself even with out adjusting the spring claw because there is less tension pulling against the springs.

_________________
John

After all this time I should be better.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 10 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: