I've had my American Special since Christmas and now want to make some changes. I plan on installing some grover rotomatic locking tuners. I am also considering upgrading the bent saddles to some graphtechs (or similar type block style). Which got me wondering, is there an "advantage" to changing out the 6 point bridge to a 2 point style?

Any other suggestions are welcomed.

I guess it depends on how heavy-handed and how extreme you are with your trem work. I've never been really heavy-handed and didn't do dive-bombs so the 6-screw trems have been fine with me. If you're more extreme then the 2-post trems can be more stable; I'm sure others who really use the trem will chime in about the differences between the two types of trem.

I would suggest the Fender/Schaller locking tuners instead of the Grovers - the Fender/Schallers will directly fit the American Special without any extra drilling on the headstock. I'm not sure how well the Grovers line up with holes from the Fender tuners (although the Grovers are great tuners; they were on a 2009 Les Paul Standard I had a few years ago).

Thanks John, I'll check out the Fender Schallers. I'm not real heavy handed. Actually I only use it for a few songs like Lenny, no divebombs just vibrato use. I noticed some of the replacement units (guitarfetish.com) were cheaper than the graphtech saddles at Stewmac. I may even go the opposite way and deck the tremolo all together.

Hi djwhitjr: saddles, pickups, tuners - these are things that are easy to mod so why not? Always provided there is a genuine feel or sound reason to do it - i.e., something unsatisfactory about the current set up that could be improved. And that's a decision only the individual player can make for him/herself.

Regarding the bridge. Personally I slightly prefer the two-point ones but six-screw are absolutely good. Having done several six- to two-point conversions on Strats I'm in a position to say I don't think it is worth your time and money and the rebuilding and spraying work necessary on the guitar. If you want a two-point bridge spend a couple of hundred more and buy an Am Std Strat instead of a Special.

Six screws are perfectly good - in fact, very many here prefer them.

And as far as the tuners are concerned: you'll seldom find me saying anything negative about different brands, but in my experience there is just something I don't quite like about Grovers. The action on them seems a touch less positive to me, which is surprising. It's a tiny difference and if you love the shape of the kidney buttons then, again, that's your decision to make. But I'd be looking at almost any other brand - and also wondering what's wrong with the tuners the guitar came with.

Any help?

Cheers - C

_________________

I agree with Ceri about the hardware mods. Easy to make and change back if you don't like something.

I just have to give my 2-cents about something. How Graphtech string-savers are still in business is beyond me. Perhaps good salesmanship without merit. Never have I had something dull the sound of a guitar like Graphtech saddles to such a degree in my entire guitar playing career. Oh, they'll be good to your strings alright. That part does seem to be on point. But what it does to your sound and sustain should be considered a criminal act to a guitar. Oddly, they claim you get more sustain from them. Absolutely 100% bogus and false.

Think about one thing. Your strings will be resting on what's basically plastic. Does that sound appealing? My advice would be to switch to some good steel block type saddles if you don't like the feel of the vintage. Of which I'm in agreement with you. Not a huge fan of those, but I can manage.

_________________

HaleAmano- House Of Sharks (Now On iTunes)
http://www.reverbnation.com/haleamano
http://www.haleamano.com

Ceri & Shredd6 - I appreciate your input. I think I am going to stay with the 6 point tremolo. Graphtech's sound like a no go, so I'll start looking into some steel blocks like the ones on my PRS. That baby sports some great sustain! I'm also starting to seriously consider "decking" the tremolo.

As far as tuners go, I've having issues with stability. Strings just not staying in tune. Literally just after a strumming a few chords and the G & B are out of whack. Plus I just prefer the stability of locking tuners.

Last night I bypassed the two string trees and that seemed to help. Therefore I think tuners in a staggered design are the way to go. I never did like the string trees as I feel it's just another friction point for the strings to stick on. Any thoughts on this?

For stainless steel bridge saddles, I have these on all three of my guitars:

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Upgrade-Sta ... p_773.html

They work and look great and at $13.00 plus shipping, can't be beat.

+1 on the Fender Schaller staggered locking tuners. I have the regular Schaller staggered locking tuners that use a single small screw to mount (didn't know about the Fender version ), but the body hides the two holes in the headstock so I don't really care.

I actually use two of the modern string trees, but my trem is decked and blocked.

_________________
Bill

Thanks for the link. Does anyone know if the staggered locking tuners eliminate the need for the string trees?

I still use them. In fact, I use two of the modern style.

_________________
Bill

This may be a dumb question but is there a benefit to using the string trees? Assuming staggered tuners eliminate the need for them.

You agree with the purpose of the staggered tuners. If you're not particular to a vintage look, carry on.

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"

Having swapped both ways....with tree's and without, there is a design problem with Strat's, since the neck and head are cut from one slab and the head itself is not cut and angled, there is always a need for string tree's because of the shallow string angle to the tuners from the nut.

I have found that even with staggered tuners on some guitars the need for a tree is still prevalent. This has more to do with the nut and its string slot angle, depths and slot width.
A roller tree is what I have swapped to on all my strats, they provide downward pressure as needed, but less friction so that the string does not bind.

As concerning tuners, Grover's, I have the older version of their mini locking but they are a washer which screws down to clamp the string instead of the thru the shaft hole. The new versions are the hole shaft style. I don't have a problem with them but would prefer a higher ratio of at least 18 to 1 or 21 to 1 as in the mini Delta's by Gotoh. The Gotoh's ( Delta's ) are the best available and still at a reasonable cost.
I also have Sperzel locking on one Strat. good tuners. It really is going to be preference of style but I would say the most important is the ratio, the higher the ratio the more accurate the tuning. I have found that 14 to 1 ratio tuners drive me nuts as they are just not precise enough to tune up accurately. 16 to 1 is minimum but 18 to 1 as voiced earlier is better.

As the switch from 6 point to 2 point, Ceri voiced it. I agree that it doesn't make sense because of the cost, block install, redrilling, rerouting and extensive refinishing.

As for the saddles, I prefer the bent steel saddles response but the solid steel block saddles are a different sound, that is up to you and what you are seeking as far as the Strat sound.
Entirely subjective.

_________________
"C'est parti mon Kiki "

Thanks to everyone for your responses. My string trees are the new roller type and sounds like I should keep them on. I'm definitely sticking with the 6 point tremolo. I will probably pick up the saddles bluesky recommended since they are "cheap" and now curious as to the difference in sound as magnatone noted. Locking tuners are still on my list now I just need to make a decision on which ones.

Again, thanks for all the replies everyone has been very helpful and I appreciate your opinions.