just a question on strat bridge flush or floating. i currently have mine flush with 5 springs but ive never floated it. was thinking about it tho. ive been listening to allot of thomas blug lately. i know you should find your own tone but how do you know what you like without following and listening to other players to no what you like?

Just keep experimenting with whatever you have at your disposal. Pop a spring or two off the tremolo, retune and see if the results do anything for you. Try different string sets and amp and guitar settings. You will see certain possibilities arise which you'll feel should be pursued while rejecting other options as simply not your thing nor worth pursuing.

You'll know exactly 'THE' tone you are searching for when you finally hear it.

I never tried to sound like anyone else, no matter how much I liked their tone. This is primarily because it was their's, not mine. I just kept trying different things per the above and would continually ask for input from those who heard me. Sooner than later, I did find, "my" tone.

While on your quest though, avoid pedals and all that sort of stuff as all they'll serve to do is camouflage 'THE' tone you're ultimately looking to hear from yourself. Oh, and be patient. It took me like two years way back when until I finally found what I knew would work for me. Keep in mind too, as your tastes shall change over the years, so will tweakings of your tone be necessary to go along with them. It's all good!

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You dig?

According to John English in an old article, the bridge was originally kept flat to the body, floating was a thing invented in the 60s.... just in case anyone is interested in knowing. :p

But yeah, do what you like, it's not hard to change from one to the other or back.

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Some Guitars played through an amp...

Yeah I'll have a go. Seems a shame not to use it when that's what it was desighned fit

If you decide to go ahead and float the trem bridge, make sure you use the factory spec. On a guitar with a vintage bridge, the back edge of the bridge should be 1/32" off the body. The bridge screws should be only loose enough to let the bridge move.
5 springs is a lot. Most players end up with either 3 or even 2. Depends on how you want it; easy to move, or still firm enough to be able to palm mute without moving the bridge with your hand.

Buust finished floating the bridge. Noticable diff been spongy feeling when bending string a nice more dare I say straty tone. But god awfull tuning stability