Hi Guys

I'm new on here so please bear with me. I've searched on here but can't find the exact answer I need.

I have an American Deluxe S1 stratocaster with a 2 point trem.

The guitar has always had a great tone and i have always played it with the bridge flat to the guitar. I historically had it playing i believe with 3 springs. The trem was a little stiff but still very playable.

About 6 months back i got a guitar technician to set it to floating. After about 5 minutes i realised i had made a mistake. the loss in tone was horrible and bending in tune became a nightmare, especially on double bends.

So i took it back and he fixed the problem but putting in 5 springs. The tone was great but I can't use the trem at all.

The guitar intonation was set to 10's but the high E had an 11 on it. The way i like it. I find it gives me more sustain on the high E.

If i myself remove 2 springs and place them in a /l\ shape, will I have to re set the intonation on all the strings, or is it a case I can just remove the springs and it will play exactly like it does but with less tension on the trem?

I don't want it too easy to move the trem as i like tuning and bending stability. but i find that a) the guitar is more difficult to play at high speeds and the trem is almost impossible to use practically as it is. I use the trem only occasionally, but i like the ability to use it if i need to without breaking my arm in the process.

Any advise is welcome.

Also, is this a procedure I could do myself?

Just to confirm...

I still wish for the trem to be flat against the body. I just want the trem lossened a bit

What adjustments do i need to make?

And will i need to check intonation etc

I have my bridge flat & 3 trem springs & I'm fairly satisfied. I generally don't use the trem, but when I do it works that way. But the flatter the bridge, the more difficult the bending as you know. I'd just go ahead & flatten it w/3 springs. That's probably the best you're going to get if you want to use the trem & have some stability also. Then just check the intonation afterwards to be sure.

Oh, & you'll need to tighten the trem claw screws to flatten the bridge.

Ok that's great. Do you know how much it should be tightened?

Putting the trem flat against the body and having only three springs, to use the tremolo. Is about the worst thing you can do to enable the kind of double stop bends you're playing. Just because the trem plate is against the body it won't stop the strings going flat when you bend one. The tremolo will still move.

Also it is terrible to have a tremolo set that way for tuning stability if you're going to use the trem. It can't return to the true tension zero point.

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No no and no

You also should check the action. In my case I did't need to make any adjustments. I think that's it

Until the bridge is flat & the strings are in tune.

^^^ Well said Nik and so true. The op would probably be better off just ditching the bar if he's committed to this kind of set up. The design of Leo's system was originally that it should float when the tremolo was set up for use. Hardtailing it by decking the bridge while still using the trem system is a bit like trying to get the best of both worlds but not really achieving either IMO.

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Luck won't do it and ignorance can't

George Van Eps.

Thanks for your responses guys. The thing is alot of the players i like to listen to have a flat tremolo but they still do the occasional dive bum etc. I'm not trying to sound like jeff beck at all. I just want the option to use it if i see fit for effect in a solo etc.

I've had the guitar previously (when i brought it) for 10's. the bridge flat to the guitar. and just a little less tension on the trem. That's all i'm trying to achieve.

I'm just not sure how easy it is to do that

when i brought it the guitar stayed in tune and it has that kind of set up. I just want the trem flush to the body (not floating) and the tremolo arm a little less stiff

Since you state that you don't know how to get what you want, I suggest you take it back to the guitar tech that set it to float and tell him exactly what you want and have him set it up that way. Don't accept the guitar until it is set to your desires.

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Bill

I can't really, i needed the guitar at the time as i was going away. I can't really go back now. As it was 6 months ago.

I know the guitar can be set up that way.... because i played it. And it's tuning stability was perfect. The guitar cost me alot of money and it's tuning has always been amazing.

I just thought it would have been a case of taking 2 springs out, tightening the screws until it was almost flat with the body and then checking intonation?

These statements make zero sense. I'm not saying the tech will do it for free. What does having the trem set to float six months ago have to do with anything.



Ok. It's been explained to you how to do it. What is the problem then? Do a search on You Tube. There are hundreds of videos on line to show you how to get what you want. Its not rocket science, but it does involve some compromises.

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Bill

I'm here asking for support. Not asking how to do a you tube search.

If you actually look at what i said in response to your post it may somehow make sense to you.

I had the guitar set up 6 months ago. I cannot take it back to the tech now. Now that's not rocket science.

I'm asking for support from those willing to give it rather than the usual rubbish:

"search on you tube!"
"this threads already been done"

and all the other rubbish people like to fob people off with.

This is a Fender support forum.

I'm asking what the repercussions are for me doing such a thing and if i do make those amendments - what else do i need to take into consideration.

I really appreciate all the constructive responses, i just can't stand it when people bother to reply and all they do is get funny or refer you to youtube. If that's the case.... don't bother responding or just go and do what people like you normally do... and go arrange your sock drawer in colour order.

Thank you