I just changed the strings on my standard strat to Ernie Ball 10 gauge strings and now every time I start tuning it the bridge lifts up in the air, and if I retune it the bridge lifts up more and more. How do I fix this? I do not want to keep using the 8 or 9 gauge strings that came on my strat when I got it. I had a strat before this that did the exact same thing, so I decided I would only put 10 gauge on it, instead of the normal 11 or 12 I play with but this one did it to. If anyone knows how to fix this please let me know

Since you are switching to 10's you need to do, or have someone do, a complete setup on your guitar. The higher tension of the new strings pulls on the trem springs harder causing the bridge to rise as you are describing.

http://www.fender.com/support/stratocas ... _guide.php

+1 on what JOE said. It needs a complete setup.

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No big deal.


Just tighten the screws holding the spring claw a turn, re tune, and if it comes up, give the screws another crank, re-tune, ect.,. until you get it down on the body. Very easy fix !


You may need to check your neck relief and have to tighten the truss rod a tad, and then set action and intonation.

Every guitar player should know (or learn how to) how to do this. It is not rocket science.

IMHO

Disabling the trem

Method 1: Tightening the trem springs to overcome the string tension

Remove the back panel of the guitar (6 screws).
Add more springs (ideally 5 in total) which you can get from a music store or online. Then screw the two trem claw screws tighter into the wood of the guitar. You only need to do this enough till you can tune up and perform an adequate bend.

You can still perform downward bends dependent on how much spring pressure you have added.

For some people 3 is enough, some require 5 and for some this method doesn't work. Depends all on how good the springs are and how much string and bend tension is applied.


Method 2: Hardtail the trem (stop it from ever moving)

You can hard tail the trem so it never moves (prevents downward bends) by adding a small block of wood in between the trem block and the guitar body. Then by slackening the springs the string tension will pull the trem block solidly against the body.

Heres a video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkj8p4Z3Rjg


You will have to setup the intonation again for the guitar to play accurately in tune down the neck. This is normal whenever you adjust the bridge floating height or change string gauge.

Because you are experiencing this common phenomenon and not really knowing what is causing it, You better bring the guitar to a technician. It simply needs a common adjustment. DO NOT TURN THE SCREWS YOURSELF! One time, I pulled the neck off a guitar and messed around in there. Then for a month, the strings were misaligned and i repeatedly attempted fixing it without a technician. I thought i broke it, until a brought it to a fender dealer and he simply unscrewed the neck a bit and pulled the neck straight. Sometimes, all it takes is a tech to show you an easy thing. Common sense wasnt my friend those weeks.

Ye of little faith !



Oh and these so called TECH's, I've heard of them doing some damage myself.

Or you could screw the claw in till you had enough pressure to tune the guitar up. How much pressure will that be on the neck. Well the exact same pressure that would be on the neck stringing up with a fixed bridge.

Don't pull the neck off its not required to adjust the floating tremolo.
 

Welcome to the Forum.

Your guitar just needs to be set up for heavier gauge strings. You can do it yourself using this guide: http://www.fender.com/support/stratocas ... _guide.php
Or you can take it to a Tech and pay to have it done.

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

easy fix, as mentioned above. to save money I would try adding a little tension, by tightening the springs in back very little at a time, but not to much. or have a tech, who normally does it all the time, do a new set-up with the 10's. good luck.

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