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Post subject: Can I replace vintage tremolo bridge with American standard?
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 3:38 pm
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Love my Blacktop Strat but hate the vintage tremolo bridge...I think the saddles are ugly and the exposed screws tear into my palm when I play. (Why do they still put the vintage trems on Strats? Tradition? I can't be the first person with this issue. I consider it a design flaw.)

Is it possible to switch the vintage trem bridge with an American standard bridge with the block saddles? How about just replacing the saddles?

Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Can I replace vintage tremolo bridge with American stand
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 4:16 pm
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You should be able to just replace the saddles. Just have to watch some of the block saddles have an offset screw hole, not centered like the vintage type.

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Post subject: Re: Can I replace vintage tremolo bridge with American stand
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 4:31 pm
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argexpat wrote:
(Why do they still put the vintage trems on Strats? Tradition? I can't be the first person with this issue. I consider it a design flaw.)


I consider you a blasphemous heretic.

:roll:

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Post subject: Re: Can I replace vintage tremolo bridge with American stand
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 5:00 pm
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Blasphemy indeed!

I'd actually trade him the newer style saddles I have laying in a box from ones I've replaced for his stamped saddles.

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Post subject: Re: Can I replace vintage tremolo bridge with American stand
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 7:03 pm
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argexpat wrote:
Love my Blacktop Strat but hate the vintage tremolo bridge...I think the saddles are ugly and the exposed screws tear into my palm when I play. (Why do they still put the vintage trems on Strats? Tradition? I can't be the first person with this issue. I consider it a design flaw.)

Is it possible to switch the vintage trem bridge with an American standard bridge with the block saddles? How about just replacing the saddles?

Thanks!


While I also do prefer the block style saddles over the bent steel versions, I'd hardly consider it a design flaw. But to answer your original question; it is possible to replace the entire bride, but probably not worth it. Save yourself a headache and just replace the saddles.


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Post subject: Re: Can I replace vintage tremolo bridge with American stand
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 11:54 am
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First, it's just a guitar we're talking about, not Holy Scripture, so how about we turn the volume down on the ad hominem. If putting sharp, exposed screws right where the palm of you hand goes isn't a design flaw, then what's the justification for it? How are the bent steel saddles better than the block saddles? Here's another design flaw: when I strum a Strat, my hand bangs into the volume knob and knocking the selector switch down to the bridge pickup. You don't have any of those issues on a Les Paul (or pretty much every other guitar). I assume you're all getting your tar and feathers now...

Otherwise, I appreciate the constructive feedback.


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Post subject: Re: Can I replace vintage tremolo bridge with American stand
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 12:08 pm
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Probably get slack for saying this but, I do agree with you about the selector switch I knock it out of position every time I play it. I wish fender had a slide switch to replace it, and maybe they do but I just don't know about it. So I try to play toward the neck, not to knock it.
mud


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Post subject: Re: Can I replace vintage tremolo bridge with American stand
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 12:37 pm
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AGREED!
Get graphtech saddles. It will reduce string breakage, increase sustain and tone and give you block saddles.
If you are frustrated with going out of tune after using the whammy you can get a Super-Vee trem like I did (but somehow David Gilmour doesn't seem to have the problem- and he uses the trem a lot)

The original saddles on the MIM guitars are 1950's technology that Fender saw fit to replace (as revealed by thee MIA line).

I love strats and have had my MIM (my first guitar) since 1997...
You've gotta get the graphtech saddles ASAP.

Too bad you are used to a non-strat or the volume and pickup switch wouldn't be in the way! :)


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Post subject: Re: Can I replace vintage tremolo bridge with American stand
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 2:19 pm
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@StratMatt777 ... The Graphtech saddles are exactly what I'm looking for, thanks!

@Mud ... I'm looking into customizing my Strat and doing exactly what you suggest: replace the toggle with a Tele-style sliding switch. And also replacing the volume knob with something lower profile, or even removing that knob entirely and rewiring the knobs so it's just the volume and the bridge PU tone knob. That and the block saddles will solve all my issues, and I won't have to alter my playing style just to accommodate the Strat...the Strat should accommodate me!


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Post subject: Re: Can I replace vintage tremolo bridge with American stand
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 3:39 pm
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argexpat wrote:
and I won't have to alter my playing style just to accommodate the Strat...the Strat should accommodate me!


99.99% of Strat owners are quite happy with the layout of the instrument.

Ergo, you number among the few anomalous malcontents.

Leo got it right the first time out of the gate.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Can I replace vintage tremolo bridge with American stand
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 4:22 pm
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I remember having to adjust my playing style to avoid those screws. It's a convenient place to rest your hand.

Maybe shorter height adjustment screws would help you. They come in several sizes and are inexpensive.

Here's an example: http://www.stratcat.biz/hardware-screws-saddle-height.shtml

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Post subject: Re: Can I replace vintage tremolo bridge with American stand
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 5:12 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:

99.99% of Strat owners are quite happy with the layout of the instrument.

Ergo, you number among the few anomalous malcontents.

Leo got it right the first time out of the gate.

Arjay


Retroverbial...Go troll somewhere else and stop wasting everyone's time.


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Post subject: Re: Can I replace vintage tremolo bridge with American stand
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 5:34 pm
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Troll, eh?

Whatever you say, cupcake.

:lol:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Can I replace vintage tremolo bridge with American stand
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 5:59 pm
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argexpat wrote:
Retroverbial wrote:

99.99% of Strat owners are quite happy with the layout of the instrument.

Ergo, you number among the few anomalous malcontents.

Leo got it right the first time out of the gate.

Arjay


Retroverbial...Go troll somewhere else and stop wasting everyone's time.


Boy you got some balls calling one of our elder statesman a troll. Remember YOU came hear, you just didn't get the answer you wanted. Your not gonna get many more questions answered around hear with an attitude like that. Hope you never have any amp trouble! :roll:

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Post subject: Re: Can I replace vintage tremolo bridge with American stand
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 6:03 pm
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Some guys love the ergonomics of the Strat, some don't.

The Graph Tech saddles are nice, but depending on the setup, the adjusters can still stick into a guy's hand.

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