Hey there, hope the new year is going well for everybody. New guy here, with some tremolo questions. I'm in the midst of getting my first Fender guitar and am curious about the tremolo, it's a Standard Stratocaster and has what looks like the most basic tremolo on it, it's a MIJ 85 non export as far as I can tell. I will be using the trem a lot in this surf band we are starting, and I'm wondering if it will hold up of if I should upgrade to Floyd Rose or Kahler. Are these trems really that much better? Do they require less force to move? I'm reading the Kahler design employs a rocker bar design or something to this effect, is this really a noticeable difference? Thanks

I'll go right to the bottom line. Keep the Fender trem. You could always upgrade to a Wilkinson or a Calaham, etc., which are very similar to the Fender design, but there's no real reason to go to the Floyd style for what you're doing. Needless complexity, and many would argue, a change in tone.

Use the search function on this forum and use Google to learn more about setting up your Fender trem for reliable use.

My Fender style trem is "full floating" and stays in tune better than most guitars I've played that don't have a trem. There are a few tricks to learn.

Great to know the trem isn't bunk, and thanks for the tips on set up research. I have a lot to learn. I'm really liking forward to setting up this guitar and messing about with it. I think about it all the time shipping will take forever.

To keep the fender tremolo in tune with a six screw standard bridge you need to back the screws out slightly so there's no binding and everything can return to pitch. Don't screw those up tight or you'll never be in tune.

Stays in tune fine when set up properly, may go out ever so slightly now and then but a quick press on the bar usually clears it.

The only way i'd advise someone to use a locking tremolo is if they're doing extreme heavy metal divebombs! apart from that stick with the original set up, it works when everything's set up properly.

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