Hello all, I need some help.

I recently bought a new Blacktop Strat from guitar center online. When I took it out of the box and unwrapped it it was in tune already, but the bridge was floating above the body a little bit. I played it for a while then decided to change my sting gauge to custom 10's (52-10) and once I got them loaded on, the bridge was even higher than before. It doesn't look or feel right to me. Is there a way to make the bridge flush with the guitar or is this the way it's supposed to be? I also own a Squier strat and never had this problem. I just want this to be fixed before I decide to ship it back.

Strike one, you should buy from a local shop that way when you have a problem, you can take it in for adjustments and help.


This is normal, it is set to float. some players like this, I for one do not like it set like this because when you bend a string, it drops the other five out of tune.
But if you like it this way, it's really just a personal preference.


The Fender start tremolo uses springs under the backplate to pull against the string tension, when you put on thicker strings, they need more spring tension to equalize the system.
You should have in your parts and tool kit have a large silver spring, get it and remove the rear cover, add that spring to the bass string side and then adjust the screws on the spring claw plate to bring the tremolo back to were it was before you changed the strings. Remember as you raise the spring tension, you will need to loosen the string to bring them into tune.
It's a balancing act.


Yes, you can continue to increese the spring tension until the tremolo sits flush on the body. This is how I have mine set, I added springs until I had all five slots filled, then I raised the tension until i could double bend the high "E" or :B" strings without the low "E" changing pitch.
But, again, this is how I play, many others set there's to float, it's all to the way you play and like it.



It's not a problem, it's just an adjustment you need to do when you increase string tension.

_________________
Marriage is like playing cards...

At first all you want are Hearts and Diamonds.

But in the end, all you really want is a Club and a Spade.