Clicky

Heavier strings on Stratacaster


Wade Bauer
Registered User
Joined: 04/05/05
Posts: 1
Wade Bauer
Registered User
Joined: 04/05/05
Posts: 1
07/29/2006 11:17 am
I have a Mexican Strat that I decided to upgrade from Ernie Ball Slinky 9 - 42 to Regular Slinky 10 - 46... They sound great except they have a buzz, and the action seems to be way too high. I suspect the Tremolo is being pulled too hard. Is there anyone who has dealt with this? Does it mean putting in another spring behind the Tremolo or adjustment?
Thx
# 1
sgregg
Registered User
Joined: 02/09/05
Posts: 27
sgregg
Registered User
Joined: 02/09/05
Posts: 27
07/29/2006 1:16 pm
Originally Posted by: Wade BauerI suspect the Tremolo is being pulled too hard. Is there anyone who has dealt with this? Does it mean putting in another spring behind the Tremolo or adjustment?
Thx


You don't need to add another spring, you just need to tighten the claw screws. Check out Dan Erlewine's books and you can set up guitars yourself.
# 2
Raskolnikov
Guitar Tricks Moderator
Joined: 07/05/00
Posts: 2,907
Raskolnikov
Guitar Tricks Moderator
Joined: 07/05/00
Posts: 2,907
07/29/2006 2:13 pm
Originally Posted by: Wade Bauerthere anyone who has dealt with this? Does it mean putting in another spring behind the Tremolo or adjustment?
Thx

Possibly. I play .012s and I need all five springs and everything tightened down as far as it will go.

The other poster is right, though: tighten down the plate where the springs attach until the bridge is back where you want it. If you get it all the way down and the bridge still isn't low enough, look into picking up some tremolo springs.
Raskolnikov
Guitar Tricks Moderator

Careful what you wish for friend
I've been to Hell and now I'm back again

www.GuitarTricks.com - Home of Online Guitar Lessons
# 3
EL34XYZ
Pipelayers local 309
Joined: 07/27/06
Posts: 176
EL34XYZ
Pipelayers local 309
Joined: 07/27/06
Posts: 176
07/29/2006 2:51 pm
Going from 9 to 10's on a six screw fender type bridge, just screw in the two big screws to make the springs pull more.

Re-tune, check the bridge height, adjust the two big screws again, tune, check, tune, etc.

It's a pain and sometimes it takes a while to get right. Just a small amount of spring length change can alter the bridge a bunch.

I just went through this on a new Ibanez Satriani JS1200CA. It was set up for 10's but I am used to 11's on my two Strats. I tried to live with the 10's through one string change, but had to go up to 11's.

Going from 10's to 11's I had to add another spring, making it four springs cause of the Floyd type trem.
My Strats have 11's but 3 springs seems to be just fine on the Fenders.

You will probably have to adjust the intonation also.
See the intonation setup video in the reference section on this web site.

see ya
# 4

Please register with a free account to post on the forum.