I ordered the Callaham American Standard Premium Upgrade Kit and it included 4 Trem Springs. I noticed my Strat only needed 2 Trem Springs. Is it common for Strats to only use 2 Trem Springs or do they need all 4. Did Callaham ship 4 just in case I needed extra? I'm guessing the heavier guage strings like 11's or 12's would use 4 springs but 10's are good with 2 springs.
Does anybody know forsure how many springs an 06 American Standard Strat needs?

Thanks

it needs as many as you feel it needs, it all up to preference.

personally i like 5 springs tightened with wood blocking the tremolo.

+1 -- Yeah, add or subtract springs based on how you much tension you want on the trem arm. Then screw in/out the trem claw springs to get the bridge "float" (how far the bridge sits above the guitar's body) where you want it. For me, I went with four springs and (similar to Dimefan90) no float (bridge sits flush on body) for tuning stability.

Some people use two springs. Most go with three. Some (like me) go with four. Some (like Dimefan90) go with five.

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I only use 3 springs and no float. Like you said it's all up to the individual player. Of course I have one that I use 3 springs and it floats. So...

I use 3 springs on my Strats and float the bridge. I don't use the Tremelo much, but I like how it sounds when I do.

Neither of my Strats have any tuning issues - when the strings get "old", then there are some issues - I just change them then.

The size of the strings can also figure into this issue. I use 9s - from my research, if you use 10s or bigger, then you might have to go to 4 or even 5 springs.

Gil

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My mex is blocked

My CS '69 relic has 5 springs and floating with 11's, it is practically never going out of tune

It's all up to you, but I would have 5 springs total just for the 'wholeness', then put in the number you prefer, start with 3, then give or take according to your needs

Ive always used 5 in mine

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the least I use is 3 I think 2 is not good!! but who knows!! I have 3 and 4 on my guitars

I've always used 3 and my trems have always floated...no tuning issues.

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How hard do you want to have push on the trem arm to make it move?
That is the question.

I have 5 springs and only use 9-46 gauge strings.
Almost no float- I can pull up just enough to induce a little extra feedback- I think it's about "one frets worth" or a half step/semi tone that I can pull up on the trem.

When I try a strat at the music store it goes sharp when I play because I have a bad habit of resting my hand on the bridge!