Hi all
Newb setup question
I have a 2008 American Deluxe Ash Statocaster (mistress to my first wife my 1989 Epiphone Les Paul Custom-Not glamorous I know but I had her first and man she's a screamer [new alnico p/u's- shhhh! don't tell my human wife, they were pricey':shock:'])

I have recently lowered the bridge on my strat to rest flat against body (sounds grrrreat plays even better!) and am wondering how "flat against the body" is flat when dealing with the 2 pole bridge plate?

Seems I can get the Bass side to lay completely flat but when I do the same with the treble side the tremolo binds terribly. I currently have the treble side ever so slightly lifted as to prevent the binding from occurring. Its setup with 5 springs and heavy strings (.11's) from day 1 letting only the tail of the plate rest on the body (no tremolo problem) but I recently got to experimenting and discovered I liked the sound and playability of the bridge plate resting completely flat.

My question is... apparently there is a "too low" on my guitar, is this normal?

Is my current setup kosher with the treble side slightly raised? (or would a pro fix that somehow?)

Is a must that the bridge plate sits level against the body?

I am merely eyeballing this into place is there a way to measure this correctly (pole height)? (I have all tools needed for measurements)

I think overall it sounds great and plays great right now how it is, but would like a second opinion from a pro.

Thanks a bunch this has been bugging me and the nitwits at GC are worthless.
sorry so long also
This forum Rocks

Welcome to the Forum.

Is it possible for you to post some pics?

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Chet Feathers

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

Sure thanks for the fast response



Notice no "crud in bridge crack" pic 1 because of space, pic two has "crud" because no space (sorry for crud/dust, macro shows everything)
Thanks again

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After re-reading your original post I have to ask this question:

Are you tightening the 2 screws for the spring claw in the back of the guitar to lower the bridge?

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Chet Feathers

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

Yes I did, sorry I thought that was a given. its lifted because of the pole screw.

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OK. Here is what I would do. Use the guide here: http://www.fender.com/support/stratocas ... _guide.php to adjust the tremolo so that it floats. Then follow the instructions to to set it down flush with the body.

Sounds to me like you are comfortable working on it your self. If you are not you could always either bring it to me (I'm about an hour away) or take it to a tech.

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Chet Feathers

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

LOL that is the guide I used to research the adjustment
but it doesn't give a measurement for the pole screw height (only vintage bridge setup measurements)
Does the 1/16 apply to the two point screws as well if so how do you measure?

Hope this make sense and I'm not sounding like an too much of a newb

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For a two-pivot model such as the American Series bridge, use your tremolo arm to pull the bridge back flush with the body and adjust the two pivot screws to the point where the tremolo plate sits entirely flush at the body (not lifted at the front or back of the plate).

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Chet Feathers

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

It's been a while since I have adjusted my 2 post trem pivot screws, but if I remember correctly, I screwed them all the in, then had to back them back just a hair to get everything to work nicely. Sounds like your treble side screw is higher than the bass side. I think ideally, you want them as close to the body as possible. Play around with it and see what works.

Thats what I did word for word, but letting the treble side sit flush caused binding.

I first thought maybe the five springs were too much or the claw screws were too tight but after fiddling with those (tried three spring and loosen claw screws) with no improvement. then I backed off the pivot point screws and no binding so I fiddled some more and got the bass side flush but not the treble side.

Feel free to tell me I'm off my rocker and leave it alone!!

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If you had the entire plate sitting flush on the body how was it binding?

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Chet Feathers

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

Grinding noise from between bridge plate and screw. VERY limited range of motion of tremolo bar were the symptoms.

I have it back out just far enough to prevent the noise but have to admit the tremolo bar is more difficult to move (it'll dive bomb with some effort, but I don't play like that regularly so it doesn't bother me too much)

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If you are setting the bridge flush with the body basically you are turning the guitar into a hardtail, NO TREM USE!

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Chet Feathers

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

I guess I didn't make that connection.

I figured the angle on the bottom of the plate would allow for tremolo use even when flush.

I suppose I'll leave it for now as its not causing big problems and take it to a tech for a pro adj. at some point in the future

I'm new at tremolos, not guitars so I do understand basic setup just not the fine tuning of tremolo systems.

Sorry for the hassle
Thanks for the help

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No hassle. We all have to learn.

Enjoy the guitar!!!

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Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
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F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

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