It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:21 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 24 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: new strat with bridge issues
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:27 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2008 2:24 pm
Posts: 37
Location: Tinley Park, IL
I bought a MIM strat hss about 6 weeeks ago. Since I am not much past a beginner I have a lot to learn. While jamming with my friends, they noticed that the bridge was pulling away from the gutar and the action was awful high. Fearing something was wrong with the bridge I took it back to Guitar Center for them to look at. The kid who looked at it said it needed adjustments because the springs were too loose. He fumbled with the adjustment because he did not have a screwdriver and used some makeship tool ( I think it was a key). He eventually said he could not adjust it and that it needed a good setup and I should take it to a guitar repair shop. Before closing it up and handing me back a greasy and dirty guitar he moved the springs to a \// position in an attempt to tighten it. Everytime he tried tightening the strings the bridge would pull away from the guitar. Is this something Guitar Center should be responsible for since it is a new guitar or is he correct that this is my problem? Before I left I showed it to another worker there who said, "this is a mess." You need to tighten things up on this thing. What great service!


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:06 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2007 1:02 pm
Posts: 718
Maybe you just need some springs? A Strat takes up to 5 springs. Sounds like you have 2 and they're loose. The bridge should float, and that's normal, but it also needs to be stable for tuning and for maintaining pitch. If it was me, I'd put 5 springs in the trem system and then have a real tight bridge, but that's the way I like it. You can step up from 2 to 3 to 4 to 5 until you get it the way you want. I have a 2d guitar with 4 springs and it's also a stable trem. You can do it yourself. Get the springs from GC and then either have them put them in or you just do it. Unscrew the plate in the back. Pop the sharp end in the hole and loop the loop over the metal thing. Anyway, just look at the other ones you have already and do it that way. I wouldn't worry about vs and what not just get five springs in a row and you'll be good. Probably, they took some springs out at some point and that's why you've got a problem. Should have at least 3 good springs or it's not going to work well.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:14 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2008 2:24 pm
Posts: 37
Location: Tinley Park, IL
Thanks. There currently are 3 springs. I assume that is what they orignially all come with. When the strings are in tune, how much of a gap should there be between the bridge and guitar body?


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:32 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:31 am
Posts: 940
Fender spec is 1/8" gap between bridge and body when the guitar is tuned to pitch, but you can run it flat against the body if you like.

What needs to be done is to tighten the screws through the claw in the back that holds the springs... this will add tension to the springs and draw the bridge down. You don't necessarily need five springs. I use three and my trem is extremely stable.

Check the "Support" section of this website for all the info you need on setting up a Strat.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:50 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:32 pm
Posts: 1384
Location: uɐʇsıʞɔnuɐɔ 'puɐlʇɐlɟ
3 springs is what normally comes with in new strat..
If they sold you the guitar new or even used with a warranty they should be fixing it.

Either the claws are to lose or the springs are somehow bad and stretching if so they should be replaced.

In any case with a new guitar the vendor should be making it right or replacing it altogether.

Only other thing I can think of is how did you tune it, if you have way over tightened the strings that would overpower the springs and start to pull the bridge out.

_________________
Keep on Truckin, Going full speed ahead down the highway to hades.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: new strat with bridge issues
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:48 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:10 pm
Posts: 13467
Location: Palm Beach County FL
allen319 wrote:
I bought a MIM strat hss about 6 weeeks ago. Since I am not much past a beginner I have a lot to learn. While jamming with my friends, they noticed that the bridge was pulling away from the gutar and the action was awful high. Fearing something was wrong with the bridge I took it back to Guitar Center for them to look at. The kid who looked at it said it needed adjustments because the springs were too loose. He fumbled with the adjustment because he did not have a screwdriver and used some makeship tool ( I think it was a key). He eventually said he could not adjust it and that it needed a good setup and I should take it to a guitar repair shop. Before closing it up and handing me back a greasy and dirty guitar he moved the springs to a \// position in an attempt to tighten it. Everytime he tried tightening the strings the bridge would pull away from the guitar. Is this something Guitar Center should be responsible for since it is a new guitar or is he correct that this is my problem? Before I left I showed it to another worker there who said, "this is a mess." You need to tighten things up on this thing. What great service!


If this Guitar Center doesn't have a competent tech, get a hold of the manager and find out why not. The company has a pyramid. Stores have district managers. Go all the way up the chain of command, to the main office in California, if necessary, and find out why not. Let the local manager know you will go that far if they cannot competently service what they sell.

What you don't tell us is whether new/used. But never-the-less, the dealer should do right by you and they have a reputation to maintain. Tell them you're not past putting their location on the Fender Forum.

Have them get it right!!


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:51 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:28 pm
Posts: 1956
My thoughts exactly. What are you using for a reference pitch? a tuner?, a piano?, a pitchpipe?

And I would get the dudes I bought it from to repair it or you just might want to give it back and insist on a refund considering the horendous service you received!!!


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 4:22 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:39 pm
Posts: 32
What you need to do is the following.

The string tension should match that of the spring tession. There should be a balance of tension.

1. loosen all the strings so the bridge lays flat on the guitar body then loosen the six srews on the plate of the bridge about a full turn.

2. the springs should be one on each end and one in the middle. Tighten the claw screws evenly a few turns. If the spring claw is close to the wall of the cavity then unscrew them so the claw is about 3/4" from the wall. The spring claw should be about a 1/2" or so from the cavity wall when your done.

3. Tune to pitch to see how far the bridge is from the guitar body. The goal is to get the bridge no less than 1/8th inch from the body.

4. Once you have the bridge at 1/8th or it can be slightly higher while tuned to pitch your done. Now tighten the six screws starting from the two end screws a qurter turn and your done.

The process is:

Loosen strings a little,
tighten claw,
tune to pitch.
Keep doing this until the bottom of the bridge is 1/8th inch from the top of the guitar body.

Hope this helps.

BobV


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:12 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2008 2:24 pm
Posts: 37
Location: Tinley Park, IL
It is a new strat. The tech said I had the strings tuned high. I assume that means an octive high. So I think the explanation of tightening the strings too high means I caused this problem myself. After my experience with the tech at guitar center, I felt I did not want them tounching my strat anymore.

So I don't do this again, when tuning, how do I keep from tuning too high?


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:35 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:39 pm
Posts: 32
Posted: 01 Apr 2008 00:12 Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is a new strat. The tech said I had the strings tuned high. I assume that means an octive high. So I think the explanation of tightening the strings too high means I caused this problem myself. After my experience with the tech at guitar center, I felt I did not want them tounching my strat anymore.

So I don't do this again, when tuning, how do I keep from tuning too high?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allen, Are you tuning your guitar to standard tuning A440? I don't think even tuning the strings an octive higher wich I think would break them before raise the bridge high. I've seen new strats where the bridge was very high. You just need to have it adjusted so bring it guitar tech in your area, not the guitar Center. Have the tech do a complete setup. Just because a guitar new doesn't mean it doesn't a setup.


bobV


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:51 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:32 pm
Posts: 1384
Location: uɐʇsıʞɔnuɐɔ 'puɐlʇɐlɟ
If you are not sure about tuning get a chromatic tuner they are not expensive. And they will walk you into tune :)

Here is a recent thread on tuners :) mentions a lot of different ones people have found to like.
http://www.fender.com/community/forums/ ... ght=#61000
I just bought the Intellitouch they are in the 40$ range now.

_________________
Keep on Truckin, Going full speed ahead down the highway to hades.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:57 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:02 am
Posts: 8609
Location: Vacaville, CA USA
My advice is this:

Take the guitar to a different guitar store and have a Tech tune it and do a complete setup. Buy a decent tuner and learn how to tune the guitar to the correct pitch using the tuner.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:51 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2008 2:24 pm
Posts: 37
Location: Tinley Park, IL
I really apprciate all this input and advice. I actualy am following all this and now understand how the bridge works and how to adjust it. Even tho I think I could do this myself, I decided that it might be best just to get a setup. I live in the south suburbs of Chicago and there is a really reputable guitar tech that everyone seems to use. I plan on bringing it in tomorrow. I'll let you know what he says. Someone suggested I have the saddles upgraded to graphite. Is that a good idea? Remember this is a MIM standard hss strat. Also, what is a typical setup cost?...around $30? Thanks again.....I'm 57 and really enjoying this guitar even tho I only strum about 20 chords so far. This is relaay a great forum and extremely helpful.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:55 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2008 2:24 pm
Posts: 37
Location: Tinley Park, IL
I forgot to mention that I have a korg chromatic tuner, however, I have been using the tuner on my crate rfx30 amp.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:57 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2008 3:45 pm
Posts: 3
I own a MIM Strat, and I gotta say your problem is foreign to me. Another possible solution for the bridge issue you're having would be to tighten the claw a bit. I did that on mine and it plays great and stays in tune. The odd part is that you said the Guitar Center guy moved the springs in a "V" shape. Mine were already like that. Interesting...


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 24 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: