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Post subject: Tremolo Springs 3 or 5 ?
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:28 am
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I'm using .010-.046 strings. I don't plan on using my tremolo arm.
My question is should I use 3 or 5 tremole springs?
Will it improve tuning?
Will it affect bending?
What else ?
Just looking for some good advise Thanks

American Vintage 1957 Commemorative Strat


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Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:30 pm
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Hello FLOHFD43,

I use 3 springs all the time.

When I'm gonna set up for no tremolo
I tighten up on the claw leaving only a 1/8" gap

When I'm set up for tremolo
I loosen the claw leaving a 1/2" gap

For me no tuning or bending issues.

My spring set up looks like this / | \ not this | | | :wink:

Hope this helped.


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Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:49 pm
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Short while ago I asked similar question and was told by several knowledgeable folks here in the forum that the increased tension from additional springs increases the guitar's ability to stay in tune.

I don't use my trem much but have been experimenting with it. I have three springs in the straight configuration and find that if I get aggressive with the trem I do have tuning problems so I am leaning towards adding at least one more spring.

I currently have my bridge set for the suggested 1/8th inch clearance. The 1/2 inch clearance sounds like you'd get tremendous dives - and tuning issues with just three springs.

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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:19 am
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Hello Uteowl,

The 1/2 " clearance I spoke of is not at the bridge.
It's at the claw. Between the claw and the body,
2 screws adjust this.
I have no tone or tuning issues.


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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:19 am
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If you never plan to use the trem you could just take the guitar in to your guitar tech and have the bridge blocked..

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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:22 am
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I use 3 springs and that seems to work best for me. I also like to damp the springs with weather stripping.


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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:30 am
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Mr Bill wrote:
Hello Uteowl,

The 1/2 " clearance I spoke of is not at the bridge.
It's at the claw. Between the claw and the body,
2 screws adjust this.
I have no tone or tuning issues.


Ohhhhh. See, I said I was a novice at this trem arm thing. :oops:

This technical stuff seemed so much easier with my tune-o-matic bridges on my "other" guitars.


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:19 pm
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Mr Bill wrote:
Hello FLOHFD43,

I use 3 springs all the time.

When I'm gonna set up for no tremolo
I tighten up on the claw leaving only a 1/8" gap

When I'm set up for tremolo
I loosen the claw leaving a 1/2" gap

For me no tuning or bending issues.

My spring set up looks like this / | \ not this | | | :wink:

Hope this helped.


So will this work good for .010 strings? I'm contemplating on going from .009s to .010s soon.

thanks!


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:10 pm
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Quote:
So will this work good for .010 strings? I'm contemplating on going from .009s to .010s soon.


From everything I've heard, it should.


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:20 pm
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Location: Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA
Hello All

3 springs will work with any gage string.
the two claw screws adjust how much you want
to float your bridge.
5 or 4 springs changes the sensitivity of
the tremolo, making it necessary to apply
more pressure to move the tremolo arm.

Hope this helps.


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Post subject: Re: Tremolo Springs 3 or 5 ?
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:30 pm
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FLOHFD43 wrote:
I'm using .010-.046 strings. I don't plan on using my tremolo arm.
My question is should I use 3 or 5 tremole springs?
Will it improve tuning?
Will it affect bending?
What else ?
Just looking for some good advise Thanks

American Vintage 1957 Commemorative Strat
Ok dude. You're probably gonna want to go with five springs if you like to use the tremalow. I personally have three strings on all my electric guitars and it still runs good with the tremalow. Either way, rock on dude.
~matt


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Post subject: Re: Tremolo Springs 3 or 5 ?
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:58 pm
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theaviator001 wrote:
FLOHFD43 wrote:
I'm using .010-.046 strings. I don't plan on using my tremolo arm.
My question is should I use 3 or 5 tremole springs?
Will it improve tuning?
Will it affect bending?
What else ?
Just looking for some good advise Thanks

American Vintage 1957 Commemorative Strat
Ok dude. You're probably gonna want to go with five springs if you like to use the tremalow. I personally have three strings on all my electric guitars and it still runs good with the tremalow. Either way, rock on dude.
~matt
Dude. Ya' aut might try puttin' 6 strings on one of them there lectric geetars. It be's twice as much fun. 3 springs work fine with 10-46 and stable tuners, for me anyhow.


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:08 am
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Location: Lakeview, Michigan
fant0mas wrote:
Mr Bill wrote:
Hello FLOHFD43,

I use 3 springs all the time.

When I'm gonna set up for no tremolo
I tighten up on the claw leaving only a 1/8" gap

When I'm set up for tremolo
I loosen the claw leaving a 1/2" gap

For me no tuning or bending issues.

My spring set up looks like this / | \ not this | | | :wink:

Hope this helped.


So will this work good for .010 strings? I'm contemplating on going from .009s to .010s soon.

thanks!


Don't forget to tweak your truss rod when change string gauge. That should curb any chance for tuning problems.

NBG


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Post subject: Re: Tremolo Springs 3 or 5 ?
Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:31 am
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Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2007 8:28 am
Posts: 330
Location: cool treehouse
FLOHFD43 wrote:
I'm using .010-.046 strings. I don't plan on using my tremolo arm.
My question is should I use 3 or 5 tremole springs?
Will it improve tuning?
Will it affect bending?
What else ?
Just looking for some good advise Thanks

American Vintage 1957 Commemorative Strat


I use the same gauge strings and always keep 5 springs in the back with about 1/16" gap from the bridge to the body.


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:37 pm
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I have 11's and three springs holds my american deluxe in place and she keeps in tune quite nicely granted I tune before playing everytime but I like perfection even 1 or 2 cents off and Im all out of whack.


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