Recently I learned again that I got better sound by NOT screwing down the bridge to the body because I wasn't playing trem...in other words better sound playability by keeping things Strat...

optimum string tension...better snap...better harmonics/sonics...easier bends...

It gets done, people can be told to lower that bridge down...

But anyone else see how not trying to make your Strat a hardtail is the way to go?

In the middle of this, mow playing some trem...

There are so many things about the way a guitar is created/setup that will define the sound you get when it is plugged in.

Every piece of wood will create a different sound to another, costruction, pickups, nut material, saddle material, the type of cord you use, pedals, amps and the way you set your bridge up will all create a different sound.

Every player has their strat setup differently. Some of the most famous and recognizable "Strat" players in the world have the trem flush against the body or blocked off, some use 2-3 springs, some use 5, some play hardtails. Your fav "Strat tone" song may be done with the bridge flush against the body!

You may have a preference for how your strat sounds with the trem sitting off the body, it doesn't mean that screwing it down removes the stratyness from the strat, it is purely a personal preference. I personally have 5 springs attached to my trem, the bridge sits flush against the body and it sounds just like a strat.

The idea of a strat is that it is a versatile guitar that will allow you to coax whatever sound out of it you want (within reason) and so it can be setup the way you like it and to create the sound YOU like.

Agreed.

Oh snap! Better call Clapton and let him know that he's wrong for blocking his trem!!!

Really, it's friggin personal preference... Nobody is right, nobody is wrong. By the way, you're rambling like you're high.

Agreed except for the high part.

I need to realize that these are just my preferences.

BTW, I consider Eric Clapton somewhat overrated. Seriously. His Strat is also midboosted modded.

Even Derek and the Domino's Layla would be nothing without Duane Allman...the entire album. Early Clapton? Cream? Fine. Was he playing a Strat then? But much of the rest is quite conservative "competent" stuff.

i think you should give Clapton another listen... i'm not a (big) fan of his music but i can agree with most and say that he is great at playing the geetar. legendary.

I heartily agree with the "To each his own" sentiment, however I also think everybody should have more than onw strat so they can set one of them up with the trem slammed onto the body and milking every bit of sustain, resonance and tuning stability out of it that they can get!

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60th Anniversary AD Strat, Deluxe Nashville Tele, Player's P Bass. Mesa/Boogie Mk IV combo, Marshall JCM800, 1960A cab, Genz Benz El Diablo 60, Genz 2x12" cab, too many neat little practice amps and kit projects!

Mate you really need to re-assess this statement. Your talking about a songwriter who has penned some of the greatest guitar lines of every decade since 66. Never mind his guitar playing, what about some of the great songwriting he's done. Never mind layla, what about promises or lay down sally. Great songs, not guitar reliant. When you've sold AS MUCH AS HE HAS then you'll have the right to judge his abilities.

Personaly I float my trem, the sound issue is a complete misnomer, its all in your head. Theres no difference between floating and blocking (which can be very different from just setting flush regarding tuning stability). The sound of the guitar doesn'tt alter neither does the sustain.

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No no and no

I love this crap! Last week some virtuoso wrote that Eric Johnson doesn't know what he's talking about, and "Yea Yea I Know He Can Play" Which I thought at the time was the ultimate understatement. Today "I Think That Eric Clapton Is Overrated". This might even top the Johnson statement! Although (njupasaka123) lists himself as "Hobbyist" He must have meant ...professional player, songwriter, musical arranger, singer, composer, performer, who has released numerous successful albums over the last 4 decades.

Secondly...as far as what you do with your bridge is concerned...I 100% agree with Niki. The sound difference is indiscernible, no matter which way you decide to set it up. Also, none of your choices for trem setup will ever make your Strat a "Hardtail". They will only affect the use of your trem bridge.

Once when I was a youngster, I think I remember someone writing "Clapton Is God" on some wall somewhere. I can not recall, even once, in all my years, anyone using the words "Overrated" and "Clapton" in the same sentence. I do very firmly believe that everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, but sometimes opinion gets confused by history and fact. You don't have to like EC, but you do have to acknowledge accomplishment.

Always Fun
Noodles

first off....100% agree with as far as the bridge goes...its all what you feel is right.

Eirc Clapton overated? im sure you can find, oh i dont know...ill go as far as up to 10 people in this world that might agree on that. What i would like to know is where you get the overated part, is he the fastest player out there? no he isnt. does he use alot of tech. in his playing? again no, But what he does is put feeling behind every note he plays, thats what makes him great (not even going to go into his writing)

You have the right to believe how you want (but sometimes its best to keep it to yourself) so ill leave it at that....BUT!!! if you every say Ritchie Blackmore is overated....them be fighting words.

[quote="BUT!!! if you every say Ritchie Blackmore is overated....them be fighting words.[/quote]

Amen to that!

Hey not saying he's not one of the best ever, just "somewhat overrated."

Feel free to Google "Eric Clapton overrated": it's a genuine topic. You'll find more than 10 people. There are ten guitarists I can think in history who are better, not talking about speed (I'm not a teenager).

The fact that anyone writes something on a a wall proves nothing to me. I don't believe in hype, and I don't have to be famous to draw such a conclusion.

Eric Clapton deseves respect, not worship...

Songwriter does not rqual guitarist; great guitarist does not equal great singwriter (ex. John Mayer).

The irony of this need to defend Clapton in a Strat forum is that he in interviews reveals his preference for the sound of Les Pauls...

I need the stability of a blocked trem. I also need some of the drugs that you are smoking if you think "not blocking the trem" will give you better tone/snap. I notice no differences between floating and blocking in tone or sustain. You should just set up your strat the way you like it. The versatility of the bridge is one of the features that makes this a great guitar.

Hey take it is easy. Blocking the trem on my guitar...that was just my experience...already agreed...with everyone...

I dont defend Eric Clapton because he plays a Strat ( i would also defend Slash and Ace Frehley and they play Les Pauls)

Dont get me wrong EC is not my favorite player (he is in my top 20) but its this. I dont like Elvis or Micheal Jackson but i have to give them credit for what they have done. So for the 40+ years that Mister Clapton has done for music, no one could say he is overated (well anyone could say it but..... )