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Post subject: downtuning a strat
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 2:16 pm
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how easy is it to downtune a strat? I know doing it on a floyd rose almost asks for A complete re-setup of the guitar, and each time you detune a string you have to retune the strings you detuned previously.

is this the same for a strat with a 2 point floating trem, or is it a little easier?


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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 4:10 pm
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It is a little easier because of the fact that you don't have a locking nut and locking saddles....... you can pretty much do it quicker than with floyd rose bridges but STILL they need to be set up well ....... :)


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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 6:51 pm
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A strat doesn't take well to changing tunings. It's best to pick a tuning for it and set it up for that tuning. Get a different strat for every tuning you like.

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Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 9:16 am
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You can set up your 2 pt trem Strat for drop tuning pretty easily, but you will have to dedicate it to that set up. You will have to find a heavier string guage you like, play with the trem spring quantity(3,4 or 5) and adjust the trem claw in the spring cavity to have it float in your preferred position. Once done, you will like the results. But you will not be able to go back to standard(A=440) on a whim, it will upset the trem set up.


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Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 10:07 am
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I rarely use my trem on my strats, and I like messing with tunings at times. I just have my trem blocked to avoid problems.


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Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 10:11 am
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paisley strat wrote:
Once done, you will like the results. But you will not be able to go back to standard(A=440) on a whim, it will upset the trem set up.


Sorry to be a smart $@! but, technically, your A will still be 440 cycles. It will just be on a different fret.

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Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 10:11 am
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orvilleowner wrote:
A strat doesn't take well to changing tunings. It's best to pick a tuning for it and set it up for that tuning. Get a different strat for every tuning you like.


I'll second that. Ive noticed different guitars responding differently to string gauges and tension too, despite them all being the same scale length.

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Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 10:22 am
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I just changed the string gauge on one of my Strats from 11`s to 10`s. I had the guitar checked out by a guy in a local Sam Ash and he adjusted the springs, tremolo block, and lowered the action as well. The guitar has Texas Special pups and is much nicer to play since the adjustments were made.

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Post subject: Re: downtuning a strat
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 2:09 pm
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schmintan wrote:
how easy is it to downtune a strat? I know doing it on a floyd rose almost asks for A complete re-setup of the guitar, and each time you detune a string you have to retune the strings you detuned previously.

is this the same for a strat with a 2 point floating trem, or is it a little easier?


if you are going to play detuned all the time, detune it and get a new set up done.

If you intend to do it "on the fly" for a song or two, I suggest tightening the trem claw screws until the springs pull the rear of the trem down until it settles on the body (don't really crank it down). Then get the setup done. Your trem won't float anymore, but neither will it move when you detune and screw up the tuning on the rest of your strings and totally whack out your intonation.

For what it's worth :wink:

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Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 2:24 pm
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maby i should have gotten a Tele :(


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Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 3:01 pm
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schmintan wrote:
maby i should have gotten a Tele :(


Hey Bro, no sad faces it ain't that serious :D

You don't absolutely HAVE to re set up and reintonate your guitar. It's the best way to do it, but it isn't mandatory (especially if you're a "chunka chunka" guitarist who loves distortion). No ones going to be able to tell if you're perfectly intonated or not :D (unless Nikininja is in the audience, then you are DOOMED, for he is the High Priest of all things intonation).

I would still strongly suggest that you tighten those trem claw screws to bring the trem down on the body. When you detune, the trem is going to move that way anyhow and that changes the tuning on your other strings. By setting the trem on the body, you remove the problem.

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Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 3:05 pm
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schmintan wrote:
maby i should have gotten a Tele :(


Why? because of the fixed bridge? you can set up your strat with the bridge blocked if you want... that way it will be as easy as just moving the low E tuner..... it wont take more than 3 seconds well probably 5 :)


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Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 5:10 pm
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is it better to pull the bridge down by tightening the trem claw screws, or would adding an extra 2 springs do the trick?

also, i know this sounds terrible, especially to all those who love relic'ed guitars, but should i put anything between the finish of the guitar and the bridge, where the bridge would sit on the body, so as to prevent cracking/scratching of the finish? what would you guys recommend?


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Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 5:54 pm
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schmintan wrote:
is it better to pull the bridge down by tightening the trem claw screws, or would adding an extra 2 springs do the trick?

also, i know this sounds terrible, especially to all those who love relic'ed guitars, but should i put anything between the finish of the guitar and the bridge, where the bridge would sit on the body, so as to prevent cracking/scratching of the finish? what would you guys recommend?


You can do it either way.. but If you have extra springs laying around I would rather use those.... I wouldn't recommend putting anything under the bridge but thats really up to you.... just make sure you don't adjust the screws on the back of the guitar too deep into the body because if there is a lot of pressure pulling the bridge then that can become a problem for your body surface ...... :)


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