Strat Trem


grizzlymint
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Joined: 01/02/07
Posts: 644
grizzlymint
Registered User
Joined: 01/02/07
Posts: 644
02/15/2007 2:33 am
So I put my Strat trem back on today. I restrung the guitar and noticed that the whammy bar was almost touching the body because the trem was riding up so far. So I stopped and did it all again. Same thing. In never used to be like this. Any ideas? Should I do something with the springs, raise or lower? Idk. I'm baffled.
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# 1
Bar Chord Nick
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Joined: 04/19/05
Posts: 402
Bar Chord Nick
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Joined: 04/19/05
Posts: 402
02/15/2007 2:42 am
Sounds like you're pulling the trem up to from the tension of the strings. I would say you need another spring on the trem.

My brother in-law just restrung his fender and had the same problem. He had the strings tuned but like 3 octaves to high. All the tension pulled the trem way up. You've been around guitars so I doubt this is you problem but I thought it was worth mentioning.
# 2
aschleman
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Joined: 04/26/05
Posts: 2,051
aschleman
Registered User
Joined: 04/26/05
Posts: 2,051
02/15/2007 2:49 am
I recommend taking it into a guitar shop to get it installed properly... I could explain it step by step but in the long run it'd be hard to explain without some kind of illustration...

There's 2 reasons why this would be happening

1. You screwed the 6 screws that bolt into the body down as tight as you could... which isn't what you're suppose to do. You're suppose to get the trem where you want it... then block the trem off... then screw these screws down so the 1st and 6th screws are down tight on the trem... and the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th screws are screwed down lightly on the trem... Tight meaning just touching the trem... then a half more turn... Lightly meaning the screws are screwed down so they're just touching the trem...

2. The springs in the back of the guitar are waaaaaaaaay too loose... I remember you saying that you only had to trem springs and that's probably a big reason why... Get yourself another trem spring. 3 is usually the minimum that people use for a light trem... 5 is for more tuning stabilty. Make sure that you screw the trem claw in so it's about an inch away from the back of the trem cavity... You'll need to screw it in a little more than that to make up for the lack of tension supplied by having only 2 springs...

So... in summary... Don't screw the 6 screws down as tight as you can... Get another trem spring... Screw the trem block in until it's a bit less than an inch from the back of the trem cavity...

If this makes no sense... take it to a gutair shop... Tell them you want to install another trem spring and get a set-up...

Then get on Amazon.com and buy Dan Erlewine's "Guitar Player's Repair Guide"
# 3

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