American Style Vintage Trem vs. the "import" Style

kozy814 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 21, 2010 6:20 am

I’m preparing to do a strat style build – currently assembling parts. I have everything I need except the body, which I plan to buy unfinished w/o screw holes…

In this collection of parts I have a vintage style 6-point tremolo with the string spacing at 2-1/16”. It has nice solid saddles similar to those on my 70’s strat (not the cheapo squire style) and is brand new.

What is the advantage of using the “USA” style with strings spaced at 2-3/16? Is there much to gain in the way of stability, or am I in good shape with the one I have?

TIA

Ceri · **Posted:** Mon Jun 21, 2010 6:51 am

Hi kozy814: check the spacing of the six mounting screws too. From Fender's point of view the reason for having different screw spacings is to make it hard to upgrade lower catalog instruments, so that people who want a premium product are steered towards buying a new American Strat rather than modding a Mexican one. Do I remember right - I think that might have ceased to apply these days anyhow?

Far as string/saddle spacing is concerned, the only issue is how it feels under your picking hand. On acoustic instruments a wider spacing is thought better for fingerpicking while a narrower one is considered more appropriate for strummers.

On a Strat the difference in spacing is very small but some consider it enough to make a noticeable difference. If you can feel the difference then it counts, if not, don't worry about it. I have never heard anyone claim it makes the slightest difference to "stability", presuming by that you mean return to pitch.

The only other reason to go for the US spec spacing is that premium quality aftermarket bridges tend more often to be made to those dimensions. But if you already have a bridge you like then this is not an issue.

Good luck - C

kozy814 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 21, 2010 7:03 am

Ceri wrote:

Hi kozy814: check the spacing of the six mounting screws too. From Fender's point of view the reason for having different screw spacings is to make it hard to upgrade lower catalog instruments, so that people who want a premium product are steered towards buying a new American Strat rather than modding a Mexican one. Do I remember right - I think that might have ceased to apply these days anyhow?

Far as string/saddle spacing is concerned, the only issue is how it feels under your picking hand. On acoustic instruments a wider spacing is thought better for fingerpicking while a narrower one is considered more appropriate for strummers.

On a Strat the difference in spacing is very small but some consider it enough to make a noticeable difference. If you can feel the difference then it counts, if not, don't worry about it. I have never heard anyone claim it makes the slightest difference to "stability", presuming by that you mean return to pitch.

The only other reason to go for the US spec spacing is that premium quality aftermarket bridges tend more often to be made to those dimensions. But if you already have a bridge you like then this is not an issue.

Good luck - C

Ceri -- thank you for the info.

I have to say -- this site is extremely valuable if just for the knowledge of cats like you. I can't promise my built will be anything compared to you've done. But I'm gonna have fun -- it's something I'm working on with my dad, who helped me built a guitar years ago..

Ceri · **Posted:** Mon Jun 21, 2010 7:43 am

kozy814 wrote:

Ceri -- thank you for the info.

Hey it's a pleasure, man: thank you!

If you're using an undrilled body and want any help getting those bridge screw holes in the right place - just ask...

Cheers - C

kozy814 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 21, 2010 7:47 am

Ceri wrote:

kozy814 wrote:

Ceri -- thank you for the info.

Hey it's a pleasure, man: thank you!

If you're using an undrilled body and want any help getting those bridge screw holes in the right place - just ask...

Cheers - C

Will do

DetroitBlues · **Joined:** Thu Oct 08, 2009 7:58 am **Posts:** 2187

kozy814 wrote:

I’m preparing to do a strat style build – currently assembling parts. I have everything I need except the body, which I plan to buy unfinished w/o screw holes…

In this collection of parts I have a vintage style 6-point tremolo with the string spacing at 2-1/16”. It has nice solid saddles similar to those on my 70’s strat (not the cheapo squire style) and is brand new.

What is the advantage of using the “USA” style with strings spaced at 2-3/16? Is there much to gain in the way of stability, or am I in good shape with the one I have?

TIA

I've noticed on the string spacing it makes a difference when using American pickups. I had a Lonestar strat with the high e never aligning over the high e pole piece right. I looked an American SRV strat (same pickups) and the string was right over the pole piece. Just so I wasn't crazy, I looked at several Lonestars and all had the same problem....

kozy814 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 22, 2010 1:35 pm

DetroitBlues wrote:

kozy814 wrote:

I’m preparing to do a strat style build – currently assembling parts. I have everything I need except the body, which I plan to buy unfinished w/o screw holes…

In this collection of parts I have a vintage style 6-point tremolo with the string spacing at 2-1/16”. It has nice solid saddles similar to those on my 70’s strat (not the cheapo squire style) and is brand new.

What is the advantage of using the “USA” style with strings spaced at 2-3/16? Is there much to gain in the way of stability, or am I in good shape with the one I have?

TIA

I've noticed on the string spacing it makes a difference when using American pickups. I had a Lonestar strat with the high e never aligning over the high e pole piece right. I looked an American SRV strat (same pickups) and the string was right over the pole piece. Just so I wasn't crazy, I looked at several Lonestars and all had the same problem....

Normally, yes -- I'd be considering the string spacing in relation to the pup poles. In this case, it shouldn't be problem -- I'm using a vintage set of Bill Lawrence L-250s with the vintage white covers

kozy814 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 25, 2010 5:53 am

Ceri wrote:

If you're using an undrilled body and want any help getting those bridge screw holes in the right place - just ask...

Cheers - C

I got my body -- it's a pretty nice 3-piece ash body (from Rondo) with the cavities pre-routered with no screw holes as planned. I laid eveything on the ground and sorta put the parts in place. It all looks pretty good -- may need to tweek a thing or 2 to make it fit perfect.

Attached is a photo of the parts "lay-down" (i'll post other photos later today)

Wondering (...Ceri?

) -- Is the exact placement of the bridge what determines how everything falls together? The neck cavity is pretty close to exact dimensions, but some of the routing is a touch sloppy. Need to make sure of my starting point before I look at cleaning up the rough edges...

TIA for any info !!!

[img][img]http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee34/Mercury7Music/Steinocaster.jpg[/img][/img]

kozy814 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 26, 2010 7:23 am

Thread now moved to here:

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/ ... hp?t=40670

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American Style Vintage Trem vs. the "import" Style

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