I had decided since I won't be using the tremelo that I would tighten the bridge flush to the body on my new MIM Strat, After adding a couple of springs, I did just that. I wanted to ask, is there any advantage to tightening the six bridge mounting screws down on the front edge of the bridge, or should I leave them the way they were before I lowered the bridge (as they are now)?

Leave the 6 mounting screws alone. Adding springs and adjusting the Claw screws will be all that is needed unless you decide to block the trem too.

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Chet Feathers

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

That was quick! Thanks!

I've never seen a Strat that didn't have them tightened down. Why wouldn't they be tight?

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Best way to eplain is by using part of the Fender Startocaster Setup Guide:

"First, remove the tremolo back cover. Check your tuning. For a vintage-style tremolo bridge, a great way to enhance its performance is to pull the bridge back flush with the body using the tremolo arm. Then loosen all six screws located at the front edge of the bridge plate, raising them so that they all measure approximately 1/16" (1.6 mm) above the top of the bridge plate. Then tighten the two outside screws back down until they're flush with the top of the bridge plate. The bridge will now pivot on the outside screws, leaving the four inside screws in place for bridge stability."

If you tighten those screws they will actually pull the back of the bridge plate up. Then If you try to compensate by tightening the Trem Claw screws you will actually start to pull the 6 mounting screws out of the body.

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Chet Feathers

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

Now THAT is a good reason to leave them be, which is what I think I'll do. The only other thing I think I'll bother with, when I can find the right piece of wood, is to block the trem.

Chet is correct as usual the outside are tighten and inside screws are backed off that way it will work better like a two point trem when using as such.

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Thomas Jefferson

+1 on Chets advice.

Wow, that's the first time I've heard about that.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!