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Post subject: MIM bridge problem
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 9:05 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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The bridge on my MIM Strat won't sit flat. To make matters worse whenever I do string bends it rises more and my notes go flat. I tightened down the claw and it doesn't seem to rise as much when bending but still won't lie flat. Has 3 springs - should I add more or keep cranking the claw in?


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Post subject: Re: MIM bridge problem
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 9:21 pm
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Add more springs... work on your Bending technique... :wink:

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: MIM bridge problem
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 10:06 pm
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Don't have any problem with string bends on my other guitars. Is just that with this one the rear of the bridge doesn't sit flat and rises up more on bends. Tightening the claw helped it stay down some but wasn't lowering it flat like it should be so stopped turning it and started thinking I need to add another spring or 2.


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Post subject: Re: MIM bridge problem
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 11:54 pm
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Does the bridge sit flat to the body when the strings are slackened off completely and with the springs removed?


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Post subject: Re: MIM bridge problem
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 1:39 am
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+1 on what stratmangler asked.
The six bridge plate screws (it's a MIM, so a vintage bridge..?) may not be properly adjusted.
Plus you may have other problems related to the trem strings, nut, string tree etc.

Once again the standard answer: it needs a proper setup...


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Post subject: Re: MIM bridge problem
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 1:43 am
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Pictures of you bridge may help to see what you mean .


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Post subject: Re: MIM bridge problem
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 1:45 am
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The video shows how the bridge should be installed and adjusted

The vintage style bridge is covered from around 3:15


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Post subject: Re: MIM bridge problem
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 3:18 pm
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Are you using the Trem? If you just want it to lay and stay flat.......seems like a bridge block (a'la Clapton) would be the easy answer.
Cheers,
FRR34

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Post subject: Re: MIM bridge problem
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 7:38 pm
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stratmangler wrote:
Does the bridge sit flat to the body when the strings are slackened off completely and with the springs removed?


Haven't removed the springs, but when I slacken the strings the bridge lays flat like it should. When I start tuning it back up the bridge starts raising again.


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Post subject: Re: MIM bridge problem
Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 12:40 am
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fenderfan wrote:
stratmangler wrote:
Does the bridge sit flat to the body when the strings are slackened off completely and with the springs removed?


Haven't removed the springs, but when I slacken the strings the bridge lays flat like it should. When I start tuning it back up the bridge starts raising again.


Keep tightening up the springs until the bridge remains in the position you want it to sit in when the strings are tuned up.
If you screw the claw right in and the bridge still won't sit in the position you want with the strings tuned up then you'll need to add a spring and slacken off the claw screws and adjust them until you're happy.

Open strings going flat when you bend others is something you'll just have to get used to if you want to have a useable tremolo on your guitar - if you want open strings to remain in tune whilst bending other strings then you'll need to disable the tremolo.


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Post subject: Re: MIM bridge problem
Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 2:51 am
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How many springs are you using.?
3 should be enough, unless your using a high gauge strings
then use all 5 springs, and tighten the claw far back as you can get it.

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Post subject: Re: MIM bridge problem
Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 5:15 pm
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There are different strengths of tremolo springs, you could try some heavier duty ones.
The various springs available are colour coded Black, Chrome and Zinc, in ascending rates of tension.

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Post subject: Re: MIM bridge problem
Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 5:29 pm
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Jimmikatt wrote:
How many springs are you using.?
3 should be enough, unless your using a high gauge strings
then use all 5 springs, and tighten the claw far back as you can get it.


Currently running 9's with 3 springs. Want to switch to 10's but not till I get this issue resolved.

And no, not interested in blocking the bridge.


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Post subject: Re: MIM bridge problem
Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 8:35 pm
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Maybe this was covered above ... but a Strat is supposed to be set up so that the bridge is not touching the body when the trem is not in use (this is called a "floating" setup). This is the standard setup. However, many people will either add springs and/or tighten the claw to make the bridge flush with the body (aka, a "no float" setup). Is that what you mean? I, for one, have both my Strats setup with "no float", and is quite common.

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Post subject: Re: MIM bridge problem
Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 9:06 pm
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The bridge on my other Strats are flush with the body but I understand what you mean about how it should float above the wood a bit so that it can whammy both ways. Guess don't really care if not completely flush as long as it doesn't float up more when I do string bends. When I was cranking the claw in I expected to see the bridge flatten out. It didn't but it did help keep it from floating up more while playing. Maybe claw just needs a few more turns. If doesn't work I have an old Squier gathering dust in the closet I can borrow a spring or 2 from.


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