Just acquired a Blacktop Strat which came with .09 gauge strings. I use .10s on all my guitars, so have swapped them, but obviously the extra tension has pulled the bridge up.
1. Is this a problem? (I guess it very slightly alters the action height, & even ever so slightly the intonation, but those can be dealt with.)
2. Is it possible to compensate?
3. If so, how?

To put the bridge back where it was, take off the back cover and tighten the two screws that hold the "claw anchor" that the trem springs attach to. That puts more tension on the springs to counter the increased tension of the heavier strings.

It's sort of a balancing act. When you tighten the springs it'll pull the bridge down and make the strings go sharp, then when you retune the strings the bridge will drop down a bit more. It may take a few tries to get the bridge where you want it.

To avoid that, some people temporarily block the bridge so it's in the position they want, then tune the strings, then tighten the spring screws just until the temporary block falls out. Personally I find that rigging up a temporary block takes just as long as doing it the back & forth, trial & error way.

+1 strayedstrater

To Strayedstrater: thanks mate; followed your advice & it worked a treat. Guitar is now set up great, & feels & sounds awesome. Cheers!

if you use stacked playing cards it is quite a bit faster can be messy if there is a fan near by when they fall out though

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