Going on what I've read in Paul Balmer's book and on the Stratocaster Adjustment and Care sheet, my understanding is that the height of the tremolo should be 1/8-inch. Now I'm assuming that this is a recommendation or starting point and that depending on other factors the tremolo may sit higher or lower than 1/8-inch. My question is by how much or what is an acceptable range?

On my Standard Strat the tremolo is less than 1/16-inch and on my ADStrat it's over 1/4-inch. I haven't made any adjustment to the tremolo (I don't think the store tech made any either) so I take it that these are the factory settings. Both guitars play well, the intonation is fine, the action is fine, so I'm thinking the height of the tremolo is not an issue. However since I plan to hardtail my ADStrat, I want to make sure I haven't overlooked or misunderstood anything.

Cheers!
BM

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You are correct. The recommended settings are just suggestions, likely covering most everyone's needs. Alterations can be made to suit individual taste. If it feels right and sounds right to you, then it's right.

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Thanks, shimmilou. Once I block off the trem the action and intonation will change so I'll have to do a complete setup. When the trem is over 1/4-inch high - like mine - I imagine the setup will be much more involved than if the trem were 1/16-inch or 1/8-inch high?

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Factory spec is 1/8 inch. But I find that with the floating tremolo, your strings detune when making heavy bends. This isn't a problem if you only bend single notes, but it sounds terrible when doing unison bends. I have since torqued my bridge plate down to the body. The tremolo will still give an effect, granted it isn't as easy or smooth as if it is floating. But that is why guitars have adjustments, so it can be tailored to YOU as an individual. I also have to have higher action and more neck relief due to a heavy picking hand, I like to dig into the strings

Same here. Hearing the sound of double-stop bends on a Tele is one of the reasons that led me to deck my Strat bridges (tightened trem claw screws, no block). I had never been able to get into the sound of those types of bends with a floating bridge, as you mentioned the bridge moving and changing the pitch of the other strings, the sound isn't nearly as sweet as with the decked/fixed/blocked bridge.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

Thanks guys. That seals the deal for me. Trem will be blocked and locked.
... However I'll wait until after next week's gigs just in case something goes wrong ...

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This is the Blues. Are you listening?