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Post subject: bending strings on a tremolo strat
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:12 pm
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Every time I bend a string a full step or more, it pulls the others strings flat. It's pulling the tremolo toward the headstock.

I'm sure this is a common problem, anything I can do about it? I heard of putting 5 springs in the tremolo to put more tension, is that the only option? This keeps the tremolo pulled back all the time?


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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:04 am
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The Hipshot Trem-Setter is the device recommended to solve this problem. I have no personal experience on which to base that suggestion, though.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_ta ... etter.html


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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:49 am
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or you or your guitar tech can play with adjusting the claw. 3 springs should do they may need to be replaced

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Post subject: Re: bending strings on a tremolo strat
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:50 am
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prmguitar wrote:
Every time I bend a string a full step or more, it pulls the others strings flat. It's pulling the tremolo toward the headstock. I'm sure this is a common problem, anything I can do about it?


It's been that way since 1954. Embrace it.

Add a good amount of distortion and it's cool.

IMO.

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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:37 am
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Welcome to the Forum.

A good setup will take care of that problem. Make sure all moving parts are lubricated and the correct balance of the trem adjustments.

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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:01 pm
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This is just physics. You can't get around it if you want your trem to float.
For me it's never been a problem. With what I play i'm rarely playing the other non-bending strings. If I do I want it to sound a little raunchy anyway.


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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:17 pm
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A 'trim setter' will do the trick but it also feels different... and for me most noticably, the "flutter" effect of the wammy goes away when using somthing such as a trem setter to stabalize the bridge. It seems with electric guitar anything is possible but not without drawbacks too...
These are classic examples of how most players end up with more than 1 axe. For instance u might have 1 strat set up with a trem setter and 1 without or maybe 1 with standard & 1 with drop'D tuning on stage. Once playing out live 1 realizes it is best to have atleast 1 back-up axe on stage anyway... 8)

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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 1:07 pm
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I actually kinda LIKE how all the other strings go a little flat. I really like doing a big heroic bend on the G string, then plucking the B and High E; the fact that they're a little off pitch kinda creates a nice sonic tension IMO.

You could just block the trem, then of course you lose the ability to use the trem.


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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 5:25 pm
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eddie_bowers wrote:
This is just physics. You can't get around it if you want your trem to float.


I almost used the exact same words in a response.

eddie_bowers wrote:
For me it's never been a problem. With what I play I'm rarely playing the other non-bending strings. If I do, I want it to sound a little raunchy anyway.


Ditto! I agree 100 percent. If I am playing a doublestop and bending one string, I don't mind or notice if the unbent string goes a bit out of tune.

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Post subject: Re: bending strings on a tremolo strat
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:22 am
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prmguitar wrote:
Every time I bend a string a full step or more, it pulls the others strings flat. It's pulling the tremolo toward the headstock.

I'm sure this is a common problem, anything I can do about it? I heard of putting 5 springs in the tremolo to put more tension, is that the only option? This keeps the tremolo pulled back all the time?


Hi prmguitar,

I suggest that you check out a few of the live performances by David Gilmour on Youtube and watch how he uses the tremolo. The greatest strength of the Stratocaster is the floating bridge. Maintaining the manufacturer suggested setting of a 1/8" float is the magic of the Strat. IMHO to set the bridge flush to the body negates the strength of the Strat. With a floating bridge it is true that there is a pitch dive during bends and double stops so that is the time to pull back on the bar and wail! This way you can add beautiful ornamentation to your expressions. If you listen to the masters of the Srat you will notice that the majority of them use gentle vibratos as an expression. You can't do that with your bridge clamped down on the body. Watch some Hendrix, SRV, Malmsteen, or EJ and you will see them use the trem to do anything from a gentle vibrato to some aggressive warbling to increase sustain and feedback while playing in high gain. You can't do that unless the bridge is floating.

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Post subject: Re: bending strings on a tremolo strat
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:27 am
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manabu108 wrote:
The greatest strength of the Stratocaster is the floating bridge. Maintaining the manufacturer suggested setting of a 1/8" float is the magic of the Strat.


While I agree with this 100%, for some guys a flush-to-the-body set up is best for what they do. My "magic" isn't their "magic." (They should give floating a chance, however :wink: )

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Post subject: Re: bending strings on a tremolo strat
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:14 pm
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orvilleowner wrote:
manabu108 wrote:
The greatest strength of the Stratocaster is the floating bridge. Maintaining the manufacturer suggested setting of a 1/8" float is the magic of the Strat.


While I agree with this 100%, for some guys a flush-to-the-body set up is best for what they do. My "magic" isn't their "magic." (They should give floating a chance, however :wink: )


Ah! Of course if you have a style that works for you that's where it's at :)

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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 8:40 am
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It's the nature of the beast. You won't get rid of it with a standard floating setup unless you clamp the bridge to the body by tightening the claw. Unless you block the trem or do away with the float, you won't get rid of it. Every Strat I've ever had since 62 does it to one degree or another. Like a previous poster said, "embrace it" or you can get a hardtail. :D


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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:12 am
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little help can be a piece of wood or a piece from a paper block you fit on between the trem block and body. But you can't trem then.

or you turn the claw-screws more in the body that the spring has more
tension. Here you can trem but its heavy.

Check it out what is near to your handling of the guitar.

cheers :D


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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 12:38 pm
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I do double stop one string bends all the time in Clapton and other songs. I've got my floating bridge set up about 1/16th off the body, not the giant 1/8th fromt he factory, for a low action and stability. I've got the five springs in the back. So the result is a very nice vibrato from the (misnamed) tremolo when needed, for example to do a vibrato on a full chord. I bend a lot and I wanted pitch stability. I bend strings 10 times more than I use the whammy bar. At this point, with the five springs and the low but not flush bridge, I've got a very solid on-pitch guitar. Although theoretically bending still may move the bridge, it's definitely not impacting the pitch noticeably and the guitar sounds great.

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