Can any tech minded players answer this question about the trem system, more specifically the 6 screws that hold the bridge down? Anyway, after not using the trem at all, i've recently put the bar back on and enjoyed using it, nice shimmering vibrato on chords, Jeff Beck inspiration etc. etc etc.

I have those 6 screws floating a little bit and it keeps the guitar in tune well. However on reading a tip somewhere, that you should keep the 4 inside screws floating slightly but tighten the two outer one's up, i tried this and the guitar go's crazy out of tune! when i back the screws out it stays near enough perfectly in tune.

Long story short; is it ok to leave those outer two screws backed out a bit? it's as if, when you tighten them right in, the trem binds a bit on it's way back to pitch after you've lowered it.

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Luck won't do it and ignorance can't

George Van Eps.

Yeah that thing about adjusting the trem screws to make a vintage trem play more like a 2 point modern trem is a nonsense invented by someone who can't see how the trem works.
Ignore it.

All the locating screws on the baseplate of the trem should be backed off so the trem plate can sit flat against the body. Then you adjust the trem to float at the trem spring/claw mechanism.
So the trem plate rubs along those six locating screws, it doesn't pivot on them. So unless you completely remove the four center screws you'll achieve nothing. I doubt you'll gain much by removing them anyway and just put more pressure on the two outer screws.

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No no and no

Thanks so much nikininja, appreciate it, i'm no guitar tech but i read this tip, tried it and man the tuning go's crazy! you could never use a strat tremolo like that! it would never return to pitch!

I just worried if there would be any wear on those 6 screws with them not being tightened fully down.

But after initially trying this tightening up of the outer two screws and being taken aback how bad it was, i returned to backing out the two screws and it was if doing that just releases any binding in the mechanism and it stays in tune much better.

_________________
Luck won't do it and ignorance can't

George Van Eps.

+1

when i set mine I let the plate rest flat against the body then tighten the screws down until they touch the top of the plate. then back them out a quarter turn. if they are to tight it puts pressure on the plate and causes the plate to rise due to the angled edge on the under side. its really only necessary one time. and tightening the 2 outer screws is bogus you just don't want allot of slop up and down is all

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Thanks guys great advice! Some of these guys that go on YT with "luthier advice" should be banned! guy says loosen off the middle four screws and tighten the outer two up so the mechanism pivots on the two outer screws! so i did! and then went the tuning's bloody worse now than when i left it the way it was!

_________________
Luck won't do it and ignorance can't

George Van Eps.

Would any of you guys replace the tuners on a Clapton for locking tuners? what about the nut for one of those LSR fender nuts?

It stays in tune pretty good as it is but it's never gonna be near perfect without changing those, then again look at Beck he used a standard strat tremolo like forever before he changed over to the strat plus and then his sig model.

Since putting the bar back on and using it to embellish melodies etc. it seems to me to give you a more vocal voice on the instrument, maybe that's just my opinion.

I never understood how Eric, when he was getting his sig model, didn't just get a hardtail designed to his specs. After all what's the point in having a strat with tremolo if you don't ever use it?

I've heard the stories about how he wanted to keep the trem block because he felt it influenced the tone, but surely, if this is true, it must have been to a small degree that could have been compensated for in other aspects of the design?

_________________
Luck won't do it and ignorance can't

George Van Eps.