Greetings,

I recently purchased a 2004 50th anniversary strat, a great guitar for a great price. I really like the noiseless pickups. I have played a Telecaster and a Hardtail Strat for years. This is the first guitar I've owned with a tremelo. I'd like to set/lock the tremelo flush with the body. The bridge plate sets about 1/8" off the body. I don't think I will be able to adjust the saddle screws enough. Will I need to adjust the neck angle?

All suggestions &/or directions will be appreciated.

Thanks,

10drum

It's not a difficult adjustment. I've done to my own Strats and so does Clapton.

Parts needs: 1 phillips head screw driver, 1 small piece of wood about the size matchbox (or whatever size fits inside your guiter.


1. De-tune the guitar a little be to remove some the tension. Unscrew and remove the plastic plate off of the back of your guitar. Inside you will find a cavity that has about 3 to 5 springs attacked to a metal claw and the bridge block (a big hunk of metal that strings go through).

2. Turn the screws attacked to the metal claw until the bridge is lying flush with the body of the guitar and the space between the bridge block and the body has widened.

3. Place the small piece of wood between the bridge block and the body.

4. Turn the screws until the small piece of wood is snug inside the cavity. Make sure that the piece of wood is deep enough inside the cavity that you can put the cover back on.

5. Replace the cover and tune the guitar back to pitch. Remember, depending on what the back plate looks like, you may have to move it every time you want to change the strings. You don't have to use the piece of wood, but it does help.

Good luck!

_________________
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

If it's because of the affected string-height, then you will need to adjust the bridge saddle heights to compensate, rather than the neck angle.
General rule: If it affects tension - adjust the neck.
If it affects string-height - adjust the bridge saddles.
But then, if you are a set-up junkie, like some of us, you'll probably want to tweek it a little 'cuz you just can't leave it alone.

+1 on that dfrain,even when i get my guitars were i want them,i still need to tinker!

Thanks for the replies.

The only concern I have is the when I lower the tremelo 1/8" to be flush with the body, the bridge saddles will need to come up that 1/8", that seems like a long way.

Yeah, I know what ya mean by not being able to leave well enough alone, I'm never satisfied with my accoustics, but my electrics have always been plug and play once I get em to my liking. I don't think I've touched the set-up on my Tele or my hardtail strat for 10 years, I hardly ever change strings on an electric, I like em dead, as long as they stay in tune they're good.

you're right...1/8" does seem like a lot...hmmm.
I'm going to try a similar bridge config when I get home and I'll tell ya what I find.

Hey,

I just got done lowering the bridge/tremolo to flush with the body and the saddles really didn't need to come up that much, in fact the string height when measured just in front of the saddle is exactly the same as my '82 hard tail, go figure? I really like the guitar, it sounds terrific, I didn't think any strat could sound as good as Edith (the hard tail with active emg's, she's gonna be jealous). I'll know for sure in a couple weeks when the strings finally settle in.

Thanks for all the advice.