Hi guys,

I have a 2008 MIM Strat. It's a wonderful guitar, but when I try to bend 2 strings at once, or bend 1 string and pick an unbent string the unbent string goes out of tune.

Is this normal for a strat?

I love my tremolo, so is there any way to be able to bend in tune without sacrificing whammy bar usage.

Thanks in advance,

jimiclaptoncarl

Hallo??


jimiclaptoncarl

Hi there,

You need to increase the string tension by either/or adding further springs to your trem or tightening the two screws in the metal back plate. It may not utterly solve your dilemma but it should help. I had the same issue some years ago and this seemed to all but sort it.
Good luck!

Cheers,
E

_________________
'I'd rather have a full bottle in front of me, than a full frontal lobotomy'

2007 Custom Shop Clapton, Mercedes Blue
2006 USA 62 re-issue, 3-tone Sunburst - CS 54s
1988 USA Deluxe
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Hi jimiclaptoncarl: did you know that Thomas Edison invented the word "hello" as spelt with an e?

Anyhow: get your eye nice, close and side on to your bridge. Now bend a string.

What you will see is that the bridge lifts a little at the back - the more you bend the more it lifts. As it does so all the other strings lose tension a bit and therefore go slightly flat.

It is an inevitable consequence of the "syncronised tremolo" bridge. Adding springs to increase the counter-tension will alleviate the issue a touch, but not completely overrule the laws of physics.

There's ways to compensate for it. Some people rest the heel of their palm lightly on their bridge as they play. When they bend a string they increase the pressure on the far end of the bridge to stop it rising up and keep the rest of the strings in tune.

I do it a different way. If I'm bending, say, the third string whilst simultaneously picking the second one I also bend that second string very slightly to keep it at pitch. In fact, I never realised I did this until I heard others make your complaint and wondered why I didn't suffer the same problem. I examined my technique closely, et voila!

The only other solution I know of is to block your trem - fix it in position, either by tightening the springs so much it won't budge, or by inserting a small piece of wood into the cavity behind the string block to wedge it and stop it moving. This of course decommissions the vibrato function of your bridge.

Good luck! - C

Thanks alot guys.


Ceri, what happens when you play a guitar without a tremolo?

Do you have to tell yourself not to bend the other string?


jimiclaptoncarl

Hi again Jim - er, that's a very sensible question. Yes, I play LPs, Teles and acoustics too, none of which have a vibrato.

I think it is really a process involving the ears and the fingers simultaneously. I guess as I start to hear the non-bent note go flat my finger moves a touch to re-intonate it. If it doesn't flatten, the finger doesn't move.

At least, that's what seems to be happening. Like I said, I never really thought about it till others talked about the issue. And now you've just made me examine my technique a little further!

Thank you! - C

PS And obviously my "system" doesn't work if the unbent note happens to be an open string. I guess I just don't often find myself in that situation...

I've debated the same issue with my American Standard Strat. With the tremolo floating, you have to bend the strings farther in order to achieve the desired pitch. Double stop bends require even more extreme bending. Since I don't play too many songs where I need to go both directions with the tremolo, I currently play with the bridge anchored down to the body. Maybe one day I'll be rich enough to afford two Strats or a locking bridge.

What I've done is tightened the 2 screws, although it makes the bar tighter and harder to use, I'm happy I can bend 2 notes in tune now.

Also, Whats the difference between a syncronized tremolo and a locking bridge?

Check out this vid, I tried to make is sound right on my strat but I couldn't until I tightened the 2 screws.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJaSZxZJFV0

jimiclaptoncarl