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Post subject: Bridge height after bridge upgrade
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 8:35 pm
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I changed the bridge on my american strat to a deluxe bridge. I tried using three springs at first but now it sticks up way to far in the back. I put on fender bullets 9s. I was able to get it to come nearly flat with 4 springs but is this the right approach or should i screw the claw in farther? I tried screwing in the claw a bit but it didn't change things much with 3 springs. I'm assuming the stock strings were also 9s so its kind of weird. I have another strat that I did this too and it worked fine with 3. I'm ataching the springs in parallel. Either 135 or 1245. Thanks


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Post subject: Re: Bridge height after bridge upgrade
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 10:15 pm
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You need to do a total setup.

Check Neck relief, set intonation, adjust saddle height, check pickup height.

Somewhere among these things you'll get what you're looking for.

IIRC, Standard Strats come w/ 10's after '98?

cheers!

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'11 FSR Am. Vtg. Ltd. Ed. CAR '57 Stratocaster (SN# LE02639)
'14 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster
'12 Telebration Empress Telecaster
'99 Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
'12 FSR Telecaster HH
'10 Heritage H-535
'99 Martin DC-1E
'13 Lanikai Tenor Ukulele


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Post subject: Re: Bridge height after bridge upgrade
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 2:32 am
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+1 lightnin,

At least a bridge set up

Photo of the bridge may help


http://www2.fender.com/fr-FR/support/ar ... tup-guide/

http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/d ... ter?page=3


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Post subject: Re: Bridge height after bridge upgrade
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 2:53 am
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I agree too, do a full setup.

Usually three springs are enough for a .009 set, but springs are different so add the fourth if needed.
My SOP is to tension the springs (adjust the claw) first, then add(/remove) springs if needed. Check also the bridge post height, so that is as should - as the "default height" you can set the trem plate bottom to the same height as the 1st ply of the pickguard.
And the key factor is to understand the balance between string tension and trem springs counterpull.
Strat Setup Guide


BTW, a .009 set is the factory stock for AmStds today.
BTW2, just out of curiosity: why the bridge upgrade in the first place?


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Post subject: Re: Bridge height after bridge upgrade
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 2:58 am
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jmattis wrote:


BTW2, just out of curiosity: why the bridge upgrade in the first place?


+1000


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Post subject: Re: Bridge height after bridge upgrade
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 3:19 am
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A must have book for anybody want to set his Stratocaster ;


http://www.amazon.com/Fender-Stratocast ... rds=fender


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Post subject: Re: Bridge height after bridge upgrade
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 11:41 am
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Thanks for the tips. I screwed the claw in farther and it seems to have worked with 3 springs. Now I have a good float. Intonation is good. Everything is in tune at 12. I'm getting a bit of vibration on the low e by the nut. It doesn't buzz on fret 1 on up. When I raised the bridge it fixed it but I'm going to keep working on this. I haven't adjusted the truss rod yet. I also took your advice to change the pickup height. Fender had the pickups almost flush with the pickguard.

I know everyone like the standard bridge. I'll admit I like how the deluxe bridge looks and I like the trem arm better.


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Post subject: Re: Bridge height after bridge upgrade
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 8:59 pm
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jmattis wrote:
I agree too, do a full setup.
and the key factor is to understand the balance between string tension and trem springs counterpull.
Strat Setup Guide

+1
Should be no problem w/ three springs to find a balance point that's comfortable to use the whammy


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Post subject: Re: Bridge height after bridge upgrade
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 10:41 pm
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philwhite wrote:
... Everything is in tune at 12. I'm getting a bit of vibration on the low e by the nut. It doesn't buzz on fret 1 on up...I know everyone like the standard bridge. I'll admit I like how the deluxe bridge looks and I like the trem arm better.


Cart before the Horse... !!

You've done things out of sequence.

Your Low E issue is directly related to Neck Relief.

Check and change this, and your intonation will be off.

There's a specific order to a setup. There is no shortcutting it.. !!

Do the work, and have a wonderful guitar to play for many months/years !!

I own two Strats, an Am. Vtg. and an Am. Deluxe. I like both bridges... for the guitars they're installed on. :wink:

cheers!

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'11 FSR Am. Vtg. Ltd. Ed. CAR '57 Stratocaster (SN# LE02639)
'14 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster
'12 Telebration Empress Telecaster
'99 Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
'12 FSR Telecaster HH
'10 Heritage H-535
'99 Martin DC-1E
'13 Lanikai Tenor Ukulele


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Post subject: Re: Bridge height after bridge upgrade
Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 1:28 am
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Lightnin MN wrote:
philwhite wrote:
... Everything is in tune at 12. I'm getting a bit of vibration on the low e by the nut. It doesn't buzz on fret 1 on up...I know everyone like the standard bridge. I'll admit I like how the deluxe bridge looks and I like the trem arm better.


Cart before the Horse... !!

You've done things out of sequence.

!



+1Tune up IN sequence is a must .


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Post subject: Re: Bridge height after bridge upgrade
Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 2:00 am
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I totally agree on the sequence of things, but this points more to a nut problem than to a truss rod problem:
philwhite wrote:
I'm getting a bit of vibration on the low e by the nut. It doesn't buzz on fret 1 on up.

Maybe the nut groove is worn too low, maybe it's too narrow for the string, maybe it's just shaped wrong.

Here's a good memory help rule collection for neck related buzzes, posted by the honourable Rob Schwartz in the good old days:
Quote:
If the buzz occurs played open......it's likely the nut.
If the buzz occurs at the low end......neck is likely too straight (overbow).
If the buzz occurs on the high end.....neck likely has too much relief (underbow or backbow)
Within those---if the neck is warped or twisted....well there ya go..its gonna buzz.
If the buzz occurs on specific strings at specific frets…… it could be low or high frets.


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Post subject: Re: Bridge height after bridge upgrade
Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 4:45 pm
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I think it may be the nut groove. I put a .046 string in and I get no buzz on the low e. Is this something that can be fixed or do I need a new nut? This strat is about 5 months old. This is the first string change I've done on it.


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Post subject: Re: Bridge height after bridge upgrade
Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 12:35 am
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That question ("new nut" or just "nut job") is almost impossible to answer online. But, on a five month old guitar, it probably just needs adjusting. I'd suggest taking the guitar once to a good pro for a setup.

Or, since you seem to be a DIY guy, learn the nut secrets yourself - there's plenty of info available on the net. Key factors: nut material, slot depth/width/shape, overall nut height, lubing.
Basics for instance here: Nuts fretnotguitarrepair


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Post subject: Re: Bridge height after bridge upgrade
Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 4:46 am
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I just recieved this last week:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ ... ric-guitar
and am shocked about how well the two point trem was set up....and stays in tune. I have always put off getting a two point trem just because of my fear of tuning issues. I am now a believer.
The only adjustment needed was a very slight raise bridge saddle on the g string.

Now.....all i have to do is try the fat 50's in a few more amps before deciding my opinion.


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