See what I mean about the leading edge of the Trem plate interfering with the rear edge of the scratch-plate cutout?

Mine was actually clipping it when at it's worst before I replaced the Trem Plate and the whole thing move back a couple of mm.


Snowy

Wow.... I just checked my 2009 Deluxe and the low e side of the plate is touching the back of the pick guard.. My 2010 USA standard is fine.... My deluxe does not have that much playing time on it. Not enough to cause this.

I still love my US Deluxe but as I said this is one issue I've faced a few times already in the 10 years I've owned it.

I've been contemplating a new Custom Shop Deluxe Strat but a potential repeat of this issue on that guitar is one thing that is holding me back and has me looking instead toward the 62 Hot Rod with it's Vintage style bridge.

Snowy

Snowy, Pete.

I fully see what was meant by the leading edge/pickguard issue.
Personaly I wouldn't worry about it till intonation issues start to happen. Atleast now I know why its so prevelant on Deluxes and not Standards. Well the plate is wider, allowing more scope for saddle movement.
I suppose it's reasonable to not put all of this issue down to knife edge wear. If you look at that AM STD plate, it too sits close to the pickguard, though it is far nearer parallel. Where the DLX tremplate was close on the bass side and further away on the treble side.
Perhaps it is a mix of post placement, tremplate size and tremplate wear?

It's pretty difficult to accurately mark out the center of a guitar body ontop of the clearcoat. And you've still got to account for pencil line width interfering with measurements.
So perhaps a little here, a little there, leading to the problem manifesting itself. It's not like you see it on every Deluxe, even some with trem wear escape the problem.

Well atleast I know that a Standard trem is a possible solution now.

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No no and no

I was not aware that Standards and Deluxes had differences other than wood. But then I have not been into this but for a couple of years and do not think I have ever looked at a deluxe too often.

Glad you got your baby working correctly.

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I remember when we were free!

Snowy I have the same trem on my custom classic, there is no issue with that at all. It's never had serious squealing trem use though. Just the surfers wobble every now and again. And as I said previous, the problem doesn't appear on all Deluxes. I wouldn't let it be a factor.
I too prefer the old trem, but their both very different things. One thing I found that is worth doing is changing some of the springs on the vintage trem from silver/gold (high tension) to the black springs (low tension) of the Standard/Deluxe's. With .009's I use 3 black springs. With .010's I use a silver center spring and 2 black springs either side. Makes it a little easier/smoother to operate. You just can't get the same scope of travel though.

Oneal, thanks for the well wishes. I assure you, one day this guitar will be right.

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No no and no

NIKI,

I am looking for a Gold deluxe bridge for you here in the states. 2 point yes?

OL

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I remember when we were free!

Oneal

I'm very very humbled by your offer to help, but it's not needed mate. Really.
However you have my absolute heartfelt thanks for looking.

I ordered a Gold Standard trem yesterday from Germany.

Really really big

THANK YOU for the thoughts.

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No no and no

Your welcome, hope it all works out.
OL

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I remember when we were free!