I know that it's common knowledge that Strat's without Floyd Roses go out of tune when you use the whammy bar excessively, sometimes even if you just use it a little bit. I have a standard Fender MIM, and I was wondering if there was anyway you could nick that problem. I think I saw something before on some site about, like a "trem-nut" that's supposed to keep the guitar in tune, but i thought I'd check here for some advice. Thanks.

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"One can only recieve and retain."

Fender Standard Stratocaster (maple fretboard and sunburst finish)
Hartke G15 Combo Amp w/ built-in crunch
Vox V847 wah
DigiTech RP350

You should have no problems with a properly setup guitar.

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Chet Feathers

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

How much does it cost (in U.S. $) to, say, go to the Sam Ash, or Guitar Center, or wherever, and get it set up?

_________________
"One can only recieve and retain."

Fender Standard Stratocaster (maple fretboard and sunburst finish)
Hartke G15 Combo Amp w/ built-in crunch
Vox V847 wah
DigiTech RP350

Depends on the part of the country you are in. Should be less than $60.

_________________
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.

There are ways to radically improve it without a locking system but nothing will equal the reliability of a locking system if one intends on using the tremolo to any extreme.

A polymer nut (often called, a graphite or tremolo nut) will radically aid in keeping the strings from getting hung up in the string slots. In other words, very low friction.

Polymer saddles are helpful too as they serve the same purpose as the polymer nut.

Locking tuners will reduce the string wind around the post to about a half turn, thereby eliminating the constant loosening and tightening of what would have been conventional string windings which of course, would never return to their exact former spots each time.

It is understood that the tremolo system itself as well as the rest of the guitar are set up properly.

Depending on the individual player's touch, some achieve excellent results out of this non-locking system whereas more aggressive players might not be as fortunate. This also applies to just regular playing as well as when using the tremolo. Of note too, if the guitar is truly set up well, none of the aforementioned modifications may be necessary in the first place.

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You dig?

Basic setups 60-65 most will have you leave it. Some GC locations farm them out to people on the side.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

The strat trem shouldnt be used like a floyd full stop. Its going to break if you do, either the thread in the block or the block itself (yep i've fixed a good few). Thats why floyd's have a collar system on the arm.

I play on the arm, even chords. I notice no tuning problems at all with moderate use.

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No no and no

1) Lubricate, lubricate, lubriate -- I use a product for guitars called GraphItAll that works well. Prior to that I used powdered graphite from a hardware store (messy, but effective). Lube the string trees, nut, and saddles (only the area where they make string contact. This step alone could make your tremelo tunability wildly better.

2) Consider going to a 'no float' on the tremelo. If you do not what this means, do a search on "float". It has been discussed numerous times in great detail.

3) Saddles -- It is just my opinion, but I think the block-type saddles (like on an Am Dlx) work better for trem usage than vintage-type saddles.

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

You really oughta do a search on this site for your subject. Much has been written. Some is myth and some is gospel.

I "float" the trem on my Strat and have very little problem with tuning. I won't go into the tricks I use, but I found the majority of them on this site.

One suggestion...why not start by floating your trem first, in combination with whatever tips you find on this site. That way you're getting the most out of Leo's original design. If that fails, you could adjust the trem plate flush with the body. If you still have tuning issues (which you shouldn't) you could always block (disable) the trem.

Thanks to everyone for the advice! I'm definitely going to have to do some research.

_________________
"One can only recieve and retain."

Fender Standard Stratocaster (maple fretboard and sunburst finish)
Hartke G15 Combo Amp w/ built-in crunch
Vox V847 wah
DigiTech RP350