Trem/Bridge Springs Strat

JamesSmann · Post by **JamesSmann** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 8:00 pm

Hey All,

I bought a trem arm for my strat and i want to set up the springs properlike. right now all five are in. which should i remove to give me good trem action? should they be configured a certain way?

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 8:11 pm

What size strings are you using? for 11s I use 4 springs and loosen the claw up on the back. I find that this gives the right amount of tension to balance the trem the standard 1/4 inch from the body while keeping it stiff enough to allow for delicate trem action. 10s or 9s should use 3 springs.

that should be a good starting point. I think you should be able to adjust it to how it feels good for you from there.

JamesSmann · Post by **JamesSmann** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 8:18 pm

mage wrote:What size strings are you using? for 11s I use 4 springs and loosen the claw up on the back. I find that this gives the right amount of tension to balance the trem the standard 1/4 inch from the body while keeping it stiff enough to allow for delicate trem action. 10s or 9s should use 3 springs.

that should be a good starting point. I think you should be able to adjust it to how it feels good for you from there.

nice. i use 10s. so 3 springs it is. excellent. thanks dude.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 8:23 pm

I had 11's on mine, and was using three springs set up like an arrow (lugs 2, 3 and 4 on the claw going to holes 1, 3 and 5 on the block, if that makes sense). I propped the trem up about quarter of an inch at the back, tuned to pitch, then loosened the claw gradually until the block dropped out. Then I adjusted the claw until I had exactly two semitones of upbend on the trem before it hit the body. Hope this helps - shout if it doesn't make sense.

JamesSmann · Post by **JamesSmann** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 8:51 pm

benecol wrote:I had 11's on mine, and was using three springs set up like an arrow (lugs 2, 3 and 4 on the claw going to holes 1, 3 and 5 on the block, if that makes sense). I propped the trem up about quarter of an inch at the back, tuned to pitch, then loosened the claw gradually until the block dropped out. Then I adjusted the claw until I had exactly two semitones of upbend on the trem before it hit the body. Hope this helps - shout if it doesn't make sense.

that makes total sense. the trem arm hasn't arrived yet, so I'm just kind of getting familiar with the process first. i'll definitely give this method a try though.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:01 pm

If you are going to set it 'floating' dont forget to graphite the nut slots and even under the string trees, if the strings travel snags anywhere it will forever be going out of tune.
Check your springs are all the same length and with 10's most people set them in an arrow formation, you get a little extra tension.

JamesSmann · Post by **JamesSmann** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:03 pm

Fran wrote:If you are going to set it 'floating' dont forget to graphite the nut slots and even under the string trees, if the strings travel snags anywhere it will forever be going out of tune.
Check your springs are all the same length and with 10's most people set them in an arrow formation, you get a little extra tension.

dead brilliant as always fran! thanks! the arrow config seems to be the way to go. can't wait. not that i plan on doing crazy dive bomb solos. since i've gotten my gretsch with the bigsby, i just find myself adding textural sustained stings with some trem'd bar action for interestingness.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:14 pm

St. Jimmy wrote:i plan on doing crazy dive bomb solos with loads of pinch harmonics and dimebag squealz.

YAY!!

punch · Post by **punch** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 10:58 pm

Keep in mind this stuff is subjective, what feels good for me (stiff as all get out) may not feel good for you. Is it a six screw vintage type bridge or the two point fulcrum?

JamesSmann · Post by **JamesSmann** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 11:43 pm

Fran wrote:
St. Jimmy wrote:i plan on doing crazy dive bomb solos with loads of pinch harmonics and dimebag squealz.
YAY!!

LOLZIMUZ MAXIMUS FOR FRANZIMUS.

and punch:

six screw vintage type.

euan · Post by **euan** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 12:07 am

Make sure all six screws are the same height as well otherwise you can get tuning issues as well as a funny action.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 8:54 am

I'd take out all the middle screws and leave the outside two if I were you. Less stuff for the bridge to get caught on that way.

theshadowofseattle · Post by **theshadowofseattle** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 8:55 am

Man up and use the trem with all 5 springs.

Post by **Mike** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 9:10 am

It won't be set up properly. 5 springs will apply too much tension and the trem will be hardtailed as opposed to floating.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 9:11 am

Aye. Five springs is a crap idea.

euan · Post by **euan** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 9:16 am

BacchusPaul wrote:I'd take out all the middle screws and leave the outside two if I were you. Less stuff for the bridge to get caught on that way.

I don't know if this will work. If that was a good idea cunts would be all over it trying to emulate the two post modern designs.

Post by **Mike** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 9:19 am

It does work, I've seen it done.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 9:20 am

It works well for me. That's how I've mine set up and it will not go out of tune. Having said that, I'm not saying that it won't work with all the screws there.

I've heard of a couple of people say they do this. It's fairly common.

euan · Post by **euan** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 9:28 am

If I was a Strat trem users I would try it.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 9:46 am

Makes sense like. Two pivot points are going to be better than six.