It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 3:14 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 13 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Setting bridge on Fender American Standard
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:43 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:11 am
Posts: 190
Hi

Long time viewer, first time poster.

I have a 50th Anniversary Deluxe Strat (great guitar) which I have been playing with the trem blocked.

I am now willing to work on some numbers featuring vibrato and would like some advice.

How do you set your Standard bridge, so that notes do not fall in pitch when you bend a string? Example: I bend the "b" string at the 15th fret and want to play the "e" string on the 12th fret at the same time. Due to the shifting of the bridge (as a result of the bend), my note on the "e" string goes flat.

Is there a way of setting the bridge in such a way that the notes stay in tune when you bend a string?

Thanks


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 12:51 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:00 pm
Posts: 281
Location: PDX
I think this is a general problem with the vibrato. You can play with using more springs and tightening or loosening the claw, but it seems like no matter what you do, this will be a little bit of an issue.

_________________
If TERROR is the enemy,
LOVE is the hero.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 1:40 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:47 am
Posts: 15336
Location: In a galaxy far far away
the only real way to stop it happening is by applying slight pressure with the blade of your hand. It takes months of practice, superb hearing and excessive self critisism. I cant do it.

its a real mission, all the best with it.

_________________
No no and no


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 1:47 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:35 pm
Posts: 180
Location: Tejas
The Hipshot Tremsetter claims to be a solution for this and can be retrofitted without modification I think. My Strat Plus came with one and it does seem to eliminate the issue you describe. However, there are tradeoffs. It does alter the feel of the tremolo.

_________________
"If at first you don't succeed, keep on suckin' til you do succeed." -Curly Howard


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:09 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:54 pm
Posts: 3
You cn have your bridge locked down and then it won't shift so much :D


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:24 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:47 am
Posts: 15336
Location: In a galaxy far far away
riversitter wrote:
The Hipshot Tremsetter claims to be a solution for this and can be retrofitted without modification I think. My Strat Plus came with one and it does seem to eliminate the issue you describe. However, there are tradeoffs. It does alter the feel of the tremolo.


never thought of that. It seems the way forward. If your new to trem use 'altered feel' wont matter much anyway.

_________________
No no and no


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 12:40 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:11 am
Posts: 190
riversitter wrote:
The Hipshot Tremsetter claims to be a solution for this and can be retrofitted without modification I think. My Strat Plus came with one and it does seem to eliminate the issue you describe. However, there are tradeoffs. It does alter the feel of the tremolo.


I looked at this option and for a moment it appeared an interesting solution. I then watched the installation video (on Hipshot's website) and my interest faded very fast. There is too much tinkering with the original hardware.

On a separate note, would a lighter string gauge make the issue a bit less pronounced? I currently have 10s, but was wondering if 9s would shift the bridge less?


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 2:08 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:00 pm
Posts: 281
Location: PDX
tremolo arm wrote:
On a separate note, would a lighter string gauge make the issue a bit less pronounced? I currently have 10s, but was wondering if 9s would shift the bridge less?

That should help some, but I don't know if going from 10s to 9s will help enough to correct the problem.

_________________
If TERROR is the enemy,
LOVE is the hero.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 2:35 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:35 pm
Posts: 180
Location: Tejas
tremolo arm wrote:
I looked at this option and for a moment it appeared an interesting solution. I then watched the installation video (on Hipshot's website) and my interest faded very fast. There is too much tinkering with the original hardware.

OK, I was a little off about the "no modification" part. You do have to drill 3 new holes. But the mods are fairly minor. As someone who owns strats with and without the tremsetter, I prefer the vintage style tremolo.

I think as bluesgrass alluded to above, adding springs and/or tightening the claw screws are probably the best options.

My Eric Johnson sig came set up with the tremolo flush with the body using 5 springs. You might try that setup as opposed to a floating tremolo. It should give you more stability.

_________________
"If at first you don't succeed, keep on suckin' til you do succeed." -Curly Howard


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:09 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:11 am
Posts: 190
riversitter wrote:
tremolo arm wrote:
I looked at this option and for a moment it appeared an interesting solution. I then watched the installation video (on Hipshot's website) and my interest faded very fast. There is too much tinkering with the original hardware.

OK, I was a little off about the "no modification" part. You do have to drill 3 new holes. But the mods are fairly minor. As someone who owns strats with and without the tremsetter, I prefer the vintage style tremolo.

I think as bluesgrass alluded to above, adding springs and/or tightening the claw screws are probably the best options.

My Eric Johnson sig came set up with the tremolo flush with the body using 5 springs. You might try that setup as opposed to a floating tremolo. It should give you more stability.


That's exactly how I had it before, but I figured the tremolo is there for a purpose so might as well use it.

But double stops are a big part of my technique, so I might revert to a flush bridge if I can't find a solution for the floating one.

Thanks anyway


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:56 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:57 am
Posts: 13164
Location: Peckham: where the snow leopards roam
The tremsetter is a possible solution. The reason we don't see them around much is that a lot of people don't like what they do to the feel of the bridge in action. I've also heard complaints about tone, though I'm less sold on that point.

The basic problem here is a fundamental product of the laws of physics. But it is usually not too much of an issue in real life. True, if you hit an open string and let it ring whilst bending on another, the open note will go distinctly flat. But most of our double stop bending occurs up the neck. Hold a note on the second and bend another on the third, for example.

What we learn to do, mostly without even realising, is to slightly bend that "held" note too to sharpen it whilst carrying out the major bend on the other string, so the forces are balanced out, giving even intonation.

I suspect this kind of in-flight adjustment is ultimately the real answer to the problem. I'm afraid some careful practice is what is called for here!

Cheers - C


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 4:10 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:31 pm
Posts: 8
bluesgrass wrote:
You can play with using more springs and tightening or loosening the claw .


I think that this is really the best option that has been said. I used to struggle with this problem until I added an extra spring to the bridge. This gives the bridge much stability.

Now there is a drawback to this, and it is that it is a little more difficult to control the vibrato because there is much less give to the bridge. I would try this if I were you, and if it is too tight for you, then try it in conjunction with the tightening/loosening of the claw.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 10:24 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:11 am
Posts: 190
I have tried with 5 springs but the undesired shift in pitch is still there.

I wonder if a lighter string gauge would help? I currently have 10s and am thinking of going down to 9s.

Theoretically, bending a lighter string should move the bridge less, right?

What do people think?


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 13 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users 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: