First post here - apologize if this subject discussed before. I recently purchased an '83 Strat Elite with the infamous FreeFlyte tremolo. I'm having trouble getting it adjusted so that the bridge stays flush to the top when tuned to pitch. I'm using 10-46 strings, the claw is in the correct position and the Top-Just screw is 8 turns past contact with the lever (per manual). The bridge is floating too high when tuned to pitch, and tuning one string affects all the others - impossible to tune! How do I adjust this bridge so that it stays down flush with the top when tuned up to pitch? Thanks in advance, Bill.

Same problem here, got one this summer, switched to 10's, bridge too high.
I read in the manual that there are different spots in the body for the trem claw. Loosen, capo the strings, Pull off the pick guard, unscrew trem claw, move to spot marked out for heavier strings, throw her back together and hopefully, you should be set. I'm going to try the same thing today. Good luck!
http://support.fender.com/manuals/instr ... s_1983.pdf

Yes, I've checked and done all that (twice). Claw is in the heaviest position, and I'm using 10-46. The bridge will not set flat against the top when tuned up to pitch. That makes tuning impossible (for example, when one string is tuned upward, it raises the bridge even more thereby lowering the pitch of the other strings). Quite frustrating. Hopefully I'm missing something obvious - I'm new to this. Do I need heavier tremolo springs? (these are already pretty tough to attach to the claw).

Well, pulled mine apart today, looks like my trem claw is in the same position as yours, so no luck there. Does yours have a screw in the middle of the trem?, I think mine is missing the adjustment screw. I guess we figured out why this series only lasted a year or so

Sorry you guys are having so much trouble with your Elites. I don't mess with adjustments on mine, simply because it is a pain in the neck(pardon the pun). The only time I ever had the problem you are describing is when I switched the strings gauge... hence I only use 10's.

I would recommend having a shop familiar with it set it up for you($65.00 and I live in NY), it is a stubborn SOB to get right, but when you do this guitar will play some sweet music and give you some really crisp sounds, from my expierience with mine.

Good luck hope to hear some good news from you guys.

The only adjustment screw I am aware of is the so-called "Top-Just" allen screw on top of the bridge. At its maximum adjustment though, the bridge still floats above the guitar top when tuned up to pitch.
Other than this annoying bridge design, I do like the Elite Strat. The wider, flatter neck is comfortable to me and the pickups produce some amazing tone. But it has to play in tune!! Guess I'll take it to my repair shop for a pro setup.

Explains why I don't like floating vibratos without tremsetters.
I feel bad for you because you can't install a tremsetter on Freeflytes. If I got an elite strat, or one of those "two-knob" strats from the early 80s, I would just fill the rout, and either rout the back for a standard trem or a Floyd, or just drill holes for a hardtail bridge. How Hendrix tuned up with the floating vibrato I don't know. Did you try blocking the underside of the bridge? Sorry if my advice doesn't make sense, as I am not the biggest expert on oddball strats like this. Hope you fix your problem. Or you could just fill the rout and drill holes for a hardtail strat bridge.

Bingo... for the pro setup! You will be impressed when it is right.

Do not make any changes to your Elite, keep it completely stock, it will be a collectors item and will be worth more.

check out this listing for an elite battery cover

http://cgi.ebay.com/1983-LEFTY-USA-Fend ... dZViewItem

these guys will hack up anything! crazy