Hi guys, when it comes to the technical side of guitars, I really don't have a clue.. so I was wondering if someone could help me..

Basically I have a feeling there is an issue with my guitar bridge. When I reduce the action on the bridge (not sure what type of bridge mine is, but there are two decent sized screws that reduce the action) the bottom side of the bridge seems to pop out a little bit and so the bridge is no longer straight. Only thing is if I don't redice the action my guitar suffers from fret buzz fairly often.

Also when I try and put my whammy bar in my guitar, when I'm turning it, it rubs against the body of my guitar, so it seems as if my bridge is leaning back too far.

Another thing is when I restring my guitar, the holes at the back of the guitar which you put the strings through aren't aligned with the gap, so I have to remove the backboard to put the strings through the holes.

My guitar is a Mexican Fender Stratocaster, which when I bought it had gauge 9 strings, and now I use gauge 10s, I'm assuming this could be part of the problem as my guitar was most likely set up for gauge 9 strings.

Anyway, I'm really not sure what to do. I'm quite hesitant to try and anything myself because I'm not exactly great when it comes to DIY, so basically I'm just asking for any advice anyone might have, or whether I should just explain the problem to my local guitar shop who have a good reputation for servicing guitars.

Sorry this is ridiculously long, and thanks in advance.

Hey man,

Those two bridge screws are not for the action. The are simply there to allow for a good range of motion on your tremolo. Set those screws back to where they were, and follow this video if you want to lower your action (http://www.ehow.com/video_4396414_fender-stratocaster-guitar-action.html). Keep in mind, you can't lower it too far, so find a good balance between low action and buzzing.

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2010 American FSR Thin Skin Strat
2009 Martin OMC1KE Acoustic
2004 Mexican Strat HSS Modded

POD HD500

Take your guitar to a local guitar tech and ask for a "setup" with the strings of your choice. After that is done, study this:

http://www.fender.com/support/articles/ ... etup-guide

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Bill

E-How videos are worthless. There is much more to properly setting up a guitar than what E-How shows and just glosses over.

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Bill

If you want the trem to float you will need to tighten the claw on the back (connected to springs) until the bridge is flat.
Or if you don't want it to float you can lower it with the two screws you adjusted and then raise the individual string saddles.

Thought it would be a good example to show what screws i was talking about...

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2010 American FSR Thin Skin Strat
2009 Martin OMC1KE Acoustic
2004 Mexican Strat HSS Modded

POD HD500

The OP clearly needs a complete setup which the referenced video is only a part of.

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Bill

This information is totally incorrect. Tightening the trem claw all the way as suggested will "deck" the bridge, allowing you to only use the trem to lower the pitch of the strings. If you can move the trem at all depending on the number of springs used.

The two large screws are NOT used to raise or lower the bridge to adjust the action. They are there to provide a knife edge for the tremolo to pivot on. The link to the Fender setup guide I provided describes the proper way to adjust the guitar's action and temolo. There is more to doing that then just twiddling a few screws.

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Bill

The 2 posts are (as stated) pivot posts for the knife edge on the bridge to move against.

I learned the hard way that you should never turn these posts with the bridge under string tension. You'll just score them and also damage the knife edge. The result will be a notched trem system that will not return to pitch properly and will feel clunky in operation. If you have done this, then lock the trem down or wedge it (unless you've been incredibly lucky) - it's a hardtail from here on in..

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

Now there's a very valuable piece of information. I hope folk are paying attention to it!

You just need a good set up. The buzzing you're hearing when the bridge is lowered I'm guessing is coming from the fact that your neck needs to be reset up. Wood bunds over time. It happens when the weather changes. It's a good idea to get your guitar set up after every weather change. I just did two of mine. I'm about to have two more setup.

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1975 Sunburst Stratocaster rosewood finger board
1979 Stratocaster with roseowood finder board
2001 Candy Green Clapton Stratocaster
2007 Andy Summers Inspired Telecaster
2007 '51 P-Bass
2012 Taylor 110
2015 Mystic Ice Blue Deluxe Stratocaster Plus

You should learn the setup guide, and keep doing it until you understand the mechanics of your guitar, and can do a good setup by yourself.

Then, you won't have to pay someone else for what you "hope" will be a good setup...

There are alot of knuckle heads out there charging money to do half $@! setups.

Just sayin

..personally.....not thrilled with the ehow video.......and think you're better off with the linked guide.
It sounds like you should definately get a good set-up...but along the way, perhaps with the set-up person, gain some knowledge about how things are working together. I'm not exactly "Mr.Mechanical works well with his hands", but after looking a bit more closely, it wasn't that hard to figure out.
Can the two posts effect your action? Well sure they can...but they are already pretty much seated where they should be more often then not. And if ya move the post...ya move the whole bridge, the angle....the whole thing. Thats why you have individual adjusts. Anyway, as already stated....the toe bones connected to the foot bone....foot bones connected to the leg bone...etc!!!! See if you can get the setup person to take you on a tour while they're doing it.

Best regards,
rob

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rob Schwarz
Director,Fender Customer Service
Proudly serving Fender Customers
for over 30 years

OMG, Fender people actually read this stuff?

Damn, we're all going to get thrown out..

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

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______________
rob Schwarz
Director,Fender Customer Service
Proudly serving Fender Customers
for over 30 years