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Post subject: Tremolo setting on a Strat Plus
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 7:37 am
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Hi there,

Lets say I don't play often with my Strat Plus and the last time I brought it to my tech, which did an awesome job on it, I switched the strings for something bigger and he did adjust the tremolo accordingly. Now, I'm not sure if it was .10-.46 or something that was starting with .11-.xx (.11-.52?)

So I changed the strings for new ones, I picked .10-.46, and the tremolo is floating but can't bend up to an half of tone (as I see on youtube fender custom shop). Lets say I can bend a 1/4 of tone, maybe a bit more.

My question is do you tech guys think I have the proper strings and I just have to tighten the tremolo (or loosen) or it's because I don't have the proper strings and one notch bigger will make the tremolo more balanced, if I don't want to change the tremolo settings I mean.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.
Ben.


Last edited by Benitto on Mon Oct 27, 2014 7:59 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Tremolo setting on a Strat Plus
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 7:59 am
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As far as I know, there are at least two different bridge systems for Strat Plus, depending on model and year. You might want to let us know which - pictures would be helpful.


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Post subject: Re: Tremolo setting on a Strat Plus
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 8:06 am
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The manual says it's an American standard tremolo, now about the bridge I'm not sure. See the link, I did post these pics some times ago, it is my Strat Plus. The nut has been replaced with the LSR one.

http://forums.fender.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13508

Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Tremolo setting on a Strat Plus
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 8:32 am
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Benitto wrote:
So I changed the strings for new ones, I picked .10-.46, and the tremolo is floating but can't bend up to an half of tone (as I see on youtube fender custom shop). Lets say I can bend a 1/4 of tone, maybe a bit more.

A diagnosis based on that:
Probably you changed to lighter gauge strings, but the tremolo springs are still adjusted for the heavier gauge you had on before. So, the bridge plate floats lower (= closer to the guitar body), and when you bend up, it hits the body sooner than before.
If I'm right, you should also have noticed that the action became lower when you changed strings - so did you raise the bridge saddles to compensate that?

Anyway, it's time to give the guitar a new setup. Maybe this time make a note of what strings are in the guitar :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Tremolo setting on a Strat Plus
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 9:50 am
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You're right jmattis, I should kept a note about the gauge strings installed :)

I didn't raise the bridge though, so I'm guessing if I put back the same size of the prior gauge strings, then the tremolo should come back to its initial state?

Yeah, I think I will bring it back to my tech finally.

Thanks for you input guys.

Rock on!
Ben.


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Post subject: Re: Tremolo setting on a Strat Plus
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 9:51 am
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jmattis wrote:
Benitto wrote:
So I changed the strings for new ones, I picked .10-.46, and the tremolo is floating but can't bend up to an half of tone (as I see on youtube fender custom shop). Lets say I can bend a 1/4 of tone, maybe a bit more.

A diagnosis based on that:
Probably you changed to lighter gauge strings, but the tremolo springs are still adjusted for the heavier gauge you had on before. So, the bridge plate floats lower (= closer to the guitar body), and when you bend up, it hits the body sooner than before.
If I'm right, you should also have noticed that the action became lower when you changed strings - so did you raise the bridge saddles to compensate that?

Anyway, it's time to give the guitar a new setup. Maybe this time make a note of what strings are in the guitar :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Tremolo setting on a Strat Plus
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 10:25 am
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Benitto wrote:
I didn't raise the bridge though, so I'm guessing if I put back the same size of the prior gauge strings, then the tremolo should come back to its initial state?

Yeah, I think I will bring it back to my tech finally.

Changing string gauge to adjust/setup a guitar is really backwards thinking. Remember; I maybe wrong in my internet diagnosis...
Always do it the other way: choose a string gauge you like, then adjust the guitar so it works with those strings.

I'd let the guitar be (as I understand it is otherwise OK) and deal with the limited tremolo up bends (maybe learn to aid the trem with finger bends...), until you have a chance to have your tech do a proper setup. Or learn to set it up yourself :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Tremolo setting on a Strat Plus
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 11:06 am
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That is a great advise jmattis!

I tried before to adjust it myself. I wasn't really experienced in that manner and it was catastrophic. The strat wasn't playable anymore.

But I could retry and start at the beginning by buying the proper tools for this?

Is the Fender Custom Shop Toolkit from Cruztools a good start?

Thanks!
Ben.


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Post subject: Re: Tremolo setting on a Strat Plus
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 12:04 pm
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Nothing wrong with the tool kit you mentioned. Get some chemicals, too, while you're at it; commercial guitar cleaning products (or Zippo fluid), some lubricant for string/other contact points ("Nut Sauce", 3-in-1 oil or lip balm...), and some clean cotton (& microfiber if you go hitech) rags.

Start by reading this (so many times that you understand what adjustments do and how they affect each other): Stratocaster Setup Guide

Then tune to pitch, check that all screws and nuts are tightened appropriately, and measure your starting point: relief, action, trem plate height from the body, pickup height & anything else you can think of.
Then, adjust the guitar to factory specs (the first couple of times, just to get the hang of it; then to your preferences if they're different) - and follow the order of things given in The Guide.
Keep record of what you change, so you can revert to the starting point if you need to.


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Post subject: Re: Tremolo setting on a Strat Plus
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 12:22 pm
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Benitto wrote:
You're right jmattis, I should kept a note about the gauge strings installed :)

No need. A digital caliper will tell you. Instead of remembering or noting down which guitar has what string gauges, I measure before I change, unless I plan to change to something very different, in which case I know a setup will be needed anyhow.


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Post subject: Re: Tremolo setting on a Strat Plus
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 12:39 pm
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...And now Benitto has to add a digital caliper to his shopping list... :lol:

[Seriously: you're of course right. And digital calipers are cheap. But still, most players don't have one (many don't know how to use one). Same, of course, with pen & paper :mrgreen: , so one good way would be to keep the pouch where the strings came in in the guitar case. Then all one has to do is to throw away the old one when changing strings...]


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Post subject: Re: Tremolo setting on a Strat Plus
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 8:31 pm
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arth1 wrote:
As far as I know, there are at least two different bridge systems for Strat Plus, depending on model and year. You might want to let us know which - pictures would be helpful.


In total the available bridge systems for the Strat Plus/Deluxes were 3: screw-in American Series, pop-in American Deluxe and Mini Floyd, with the latter being introduced in 1993 on the Plus Deluxe and the Ultra.


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Post subject: Re: Tremolo setting on a Strat Plus
Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 8:45 pm
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Thanks many times everyone!

It looks now more complicated than my initial question but I think it's a good idea to start to adjust it myself. I have some "unusual" needs for it, as an high action as possible (no buzz tolerated) and bigger gauge strings. I like .11-.50, I think I'm now ready to try something bigger.

I do already have polish stuff for body and a different one for the neck and strings, which does a great job actually.

Thanks again, I'll let you know how it goes my custom tunings.

Peace,
Ben.


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