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Post subject: Trem setup
Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 7:36 pm
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I know this has been done to death, but can someone tell me how to set up my strat's tremolo to stay in tune when I dive and pull up? It's a vintage-style 6-screw tremolo system.

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Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 8:48 pm
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...from the official Strat setup guide (found here: http://www.fender.com/support/stratocaster_setup_guide.php):

Stratocaster guitars can have four distinctive types of bridges. The most well-known bridge is the vintage-style "synchronized" tremolo. The other three are the American Series bridge, which is a modern-day two-pivot bridge; the non-tremolo hardtail bridge; and a locking tremolo, such as the American Deluxe or Floyd Rose® locking tremolos. If you have a non-tremolo "hardtail" bridge, proceed to "Intonation (Roughing it out)." If you have a locking tremolo bridge, click here.

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. 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).

Allowing the bridge to float freely (no tension on the tremolo arm) using the claw screws in the tremolo cavity, adjust the bridge to your desired angle—Fender spec is a 1/8" (3.2 mm) gap at rear of bridge. You'll need to retune periodically to get the right balance between the strings and the springs. If you prefer a bridge flush to the body, adjust spring tension to equal string tension, while the bridge rests on the body (you may want to put an extra 1/2 turn to each claw screw to ensure that the bridge remains flush to the body during string bends). Caution: Do not over-tighten the springs, as this can put unnecessary tension on the arm during tremolo use. Finally, you may wish to apply a small dab of Chapstick® or Vaseline® at the pivot contact points of the bridge for very smooth operation.


Go slow and be careful.


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Post subject: Re: Trem setup
Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 8:57 pm
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Stratocaster1993 wrote:
I know this has been done to death, but can someone tell me how to set up my strat's tremolo to stay in tune when I dive and pull up? It's a vintage-style 6-screw tremolo system.


Just try something simple first.

Smother some Vaseline or Nut Sauce in the Nut on the neck and see how you go.

:wink:


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Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 12:35 am
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Thanks y'all! These have really helped me out! I've already got it working now. Thanks again!

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