1. When I change the strings on my Strat I've noticed the string posts are slightly loose, but of course, they firm up with the string tension.

Is that normal or do I need to tighten them up? (I noticed in a Custom Shop video with John Cruz that the string posts on the guitar he's re-stringin do the same thing.)

2. Also, when I first got it I rotated the volume and tone knobs so that they're aligned so the words are parallel. Did I screw something up? The Volume knob doesn't seem to work at low volumes.

Thx,
DC

Hi dfc,

Not stupid questions, whenyou are starting out, it's easy to think any questions are stupid but the bunch on here are very friendly and patient and have put with some mega stupid questions and obsevations from myself in the past............

Question 1 - the answer is, totally normal. The posts themselves are narrower than the hole so they turn freely. they go through and are held in by either screws on the back or a grub-bolt thing from the front of the headstock. If they were tight and didn't move when there were no strings, imagine how hard it would be to turn the gears when the thing is strung. It also means you are not turning the string post against the wood directly which would cause wear over the years.

Question 2, you shouldn't have messed anything up with repositioning the knobs. But I will ask, how did you reposition them? I ask this because because I had a customer who did the same thing but they just kept turning the knob, even when it got 'difficult' to turn and ended up twisting the whole mechanism which, in turn just twisted and messe up the wires and joints underneath.... SO did you take the knob off and replace it in the position you wanted or did you just 'keep turning'?

A possibly even more stupid question than you reckon your's are but, when you say you turned them till the words were parallel.........when you say it doesn't work on low volumes is that amp volume or are you adjusting the volume on the guitar........?

Like I said possibly a stupid question in itself but sometimes we miss the most apparent things.....

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speak slowly I'm a drummer too!!

And I proudly lack a stick or a kazoo up my arse...........

You probably re-aligned the knobs so that all the words Vol, Tone and Tone are in line and parallel. The knobs are set at fender so that when you are looking down at them while playing the number 10 is on top when played at max vol or full treble.

I think you are refering to the saddles being loose when you remove the strings if so thats normal

thx for the note...no, I'm talking about the string posts on the headstock.

Funny...I didn't notice the loose posts on my other 2 Strats - but I don't have them anymore...had to sell them to pay the rent a few years ago.

Watch the video of John Cruz on the Custom Shop page.

When he's attaching the strings to the posts they wobble a little...weird...I guess it's normal.

...at about 7:14...when he's adding the G string the post wobbles...

Post wobble is perfectly normal,I have 8 Fenders of different models and vintages and all have a certain amount of post wobble.There usually isn't any sound coming through the pickups when the volume control is turned all the way back so that's nothing to worry about either,now just sit back and enjoy your guitar.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.