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Post subject: Screwing the "Claw"
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 4:40 pm
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I picked up a MIM Classic 60`s Strat yesterday to use as "Surf" style guitar and got home and changed the strings over to 54-12s,and the tremolo raised up as I guess can happen on a string change.

To get it down,,do I screw the claw on the back to get it to settle down??Is there a chance of going too far??

I ask as I don`t want to break anything or strip anything out.at the moment,,I have the trem blocked with a piece of plastic,,and playing it that way,,I really like the sound i`m getting so far.

Sorry if a "Dumb NooB" question,,i just want to get it right before I go wrong.

Thanks
Phil


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Post subject: Re: Screwing the "Claw"
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 5:03 pm
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if you don't want the trem to float at all, you can just leave it blocked, many guys here "hardtail" their strats. if you want the function of the trem, yes you will have to adjust the claw with that string guage change.

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Post subject: Re: Screwing the "Claw"
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 6:07 pm
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And it wouldn't hurt to add the other two springs for five total, it will help to counteract those 12-54 strings if you decide to unblock it for surf tone whammying!

T2

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Post subject: Re: Screwing the "Claw"
Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 1:04 pm
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Rt4957 wrote:
To get it down,,do I screw the claw on the back to get it to settle down??Is there a chance of going too far??

Hi Rt4957: to answer that directly, there are essentially two choices in adjusting the spring claw for vibrato. You can have the bridge "flush" or have if "float". Flush means it is sitting flat to the front of the guitar and in this case you can only use the arm to bend notes flat, because the bridge will only travel in one direction. A floating bridge is one where when you're not touching it the back of the bridge is raised off the wood a bit, and that means it can travel up or down and you can use the arm to bend notes flat or sharp.

All of that's a matter of personal preference. To achieve either, do this:

Since your big fat 12-54s will have pulled the back of the bridge way up off the wood, start screwing those claw screws in till so the back edge of the bridge travels downwards. If you want the bridge to float, stop when that back edge is 1/8" / 3.2mm above the wood. If you want it flush just keep going till the back edge touches the front of the guitar.

As T2Stratman suggests, you could also add another spring or two. That will make the whammy action harder under your palm: you may like that or you may not. Only experience will say - but if adding springs you need to do so before making your spring claw adjustments.

And your other question; is there a chance of going too far? No. Some people don't want to use the vibrato bridge at all and so they "block" it, as Arnold Layne mentioned. That can involve literally inserting a block of wood between the trem block and the back of its cavity, but a simpler way is to just screw those two claw screws nearly all the way in, so they are pulling the bridge hard down against the front of the guitar, so it won't move. If you don't like to use your bridge for vibrato then it's a good way to go because it will tend to make the tuning more stable.

Any help?

Cheers - C

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Post subject: Re: Screwing the "Claw"
Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 8:28 pm
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Thanks Ceri,,Always a help from your input and others,,

Thanks everyone for the help,,I plan on doing it when i have time to be patint with it and do it correct with a gauge and some time.

Thanks
Phil


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Post subject: Re: Screwing the "Claw"
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 1:42 pm
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One important thing to note though is that you should detune the strings a LOT before you tighten the claw - otherwise you're bound to break one and put excess tension on the neck. I usually make mine slack enough that they barely produce a note, tighten the claw, tune back up, and check the tremolo float height. Also, as T2 said, extra springs will help - i've got 5 in mine and I play on 11s.

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