Hello again,

I have replaced my factory 9's with Elixir 10's on my American Strat. Obviously, this caused my bridge to lift quite noticably. Can I fix this problem myself or should I return to my music store to have it set up for the string guage change?

Thanks

_________________
Chris

Taylor Solidbody Classic Burl Walnut
Fender Deluxe Hot Rod Amp
American Series HS Tele

take the body back plate cover off and just adjust the two big claw screws they should go deeper into the body to conpensate for string tension..., adjust them so your bridge comes back to the original position it was on when perfectly tuned

Thanks, the guitar is in tune. Do I start adjusting with tension already on?

_________________
Chris

Taylor Solidbody Classic Burl Walnut
Fender Deluxe Hot Rod Amp
American Series HS Tele

+

I'd suggest to adjust a whole turn on each screw and tune the strings , adjust another whole turn and tune, and so on untill you get to the exact position and angle the bridge was on before and exactly in tune

That's exactly what I would suggest - do it little by little and retune (roughly) at each stage. It takes a little trial and error, but is not difficult, just needs patience. Always turn each screw by the same amount!

_________________
Guitar Collector Forum | Guitar hand trainer | Play Power Chords
Guitar string FAQ | Compare Guitar Tuners

I'd look to get the bridge halfway to its desired point, if your starting with the guitar in tune. When the springs are tightened the plate will decrease its angle making the pitch of the open strings rise. Your guitar will be sharp when you tune down the bridge angle will decrease further.

_________________
No no and no

How about possibly adding springs since we dont know how many he has?

That's what I was thinking. Wouldn't one more spring bring the bridge back to level, without screwing in the claw screws any?

Thanks all, I'm going to give it a try. I have 3 springs.

_________________
Chris

Taylor Solidbody Classic Burl Walnut
Fender Deluxe Hot Rod Amp
American Series HS Tele

It would, but it would also alter the feel of the trem, making it harder. Might be what the OP wants or it might not.

The claw screws are a finer, more sensitive adustment. Changing up a gauge in strings is only a smallish difference, after all...

Cheers - C

Yea, one or two springs should do it. Try that first before you go and drive more metal into wood

That's also true, it will definitely make the trem harder to operate. Now, do you think with a stiffer trem the guitar would stay in tune better?

A properly setup guitar with only 2 springs should not have any tuning issues.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.