Strat Tremolo Weirdness

rikus

I had a very weird tremolo experience this weekend and I'm hoping someone can explain what went wrong, because I'm dumbfounded.

I changed strings on Saturday. I took off all the strings as my fretboard was due for a little oil and clean. When I restrung the guitar (exact same gauge and brand) and tuned to pitch the tremolo was being pulled waaaay up off the body.

In my mind only two things could've happened; i) the string tension increased, but that seems unlikely as I restrung with the exact same strings; or (ii) my trem springs lost major tension in 20mins, also unlikely?

This is a two point Fender trem that was setup to float with three springs. Any ideas what could have caused that?

arjunmenon

Hey Rikus

I'm no expert, but how was the bridge resting when you took the strings off?
You may have checked this, but did any of the springs get unhooked from the block or claw?

Any chance of pictures?

rikus

Arjun Menon wrote: Hey Rikus

I'm no expert, but how was the bridge resting when you took the strings off?
You may have checked this, but did any of the springs get unhooked from the block or claw?

Any chance of pictures?

I think I figured out the problem. I just went to have a gander at Elixer's website. I think that I put on a set of 10-52 Elixers (light-heavy) in stead of my usual 10-46 (light)... :-[ :-[ I didn't even know they made a hybrid set like that. I just always ask for 10s... Whoops.

I need to go and fish the packet from the bin to be sure, but I'm pretty sure that's it (that would also explain why the guitar felt and sounded that much different. I just thought is was because of being set up differently).

AlanRatcliffe

Yeah, it's almost certainly the strings. Only other thing is make sure the knife edges are on the posts properly.

I've had problems where a trem claw has hung up on the screw threads rather than the head, but that causes the bridge to go down too far. Every time I've run across a raised bridge it's been the strings.

Stubbs

I hope the OP doesn't mind if I hijack his thread - I've been wondering how much you can safely 'whammy' with a standard Strat tremolo? As in dives etc. without damaging the guitar?

AlanRatcliffe

Stubbs wrote: I hope the OP doesn't mind if I hijack his thread - I've been wondering how much you can safely 'whammy' with a standard Strat tremolo? As in dives etc. without damaging the guitar?

As much as you want. See Jimi and SRV, amongst others. ?

evolucian

Stubbs wrote: I hope the OP doesn't mind if I hijack his thread - I've been wondering how much you can safely 'whammy' with a standard Strat tremolo? As in dives etc. without damaging the guitar?

Not much to be honest. No dives, just good ol' gentle tremolo as it detunes after that (even detunes with gentle tremolo). Roller nuts and saddles help this not happen... as do locking devices. String trees make this flaw apparent too in my experience... unhook them from the trees for better lesser detuning.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong... its just my experience with this. I stopped using it from the detuning hazard and I am a lazy individual so tuning too much is bleh. Unless you don't mind it going out... then you can go as ape as you want. Buuuuuuut that would be your call entirely

MikeM

I go crazy on mine (With little finesse) and it usually stays pretty damn close to in tune... Strangely I notice it going out mainly when I lift it very lightly, it'll stay sharp until I dip it.

evolucian

What is the standard bridge on a strat nowadays anyway? Maybe mine's just poo

AlanRatcliffe

evolucian wrote: Not much to be honest. No dives, just good ol' gentle tremolo as it detunes after that (even detunes with gentle tremolo).

That's a different matter. ? The question was about damage... Anyway, properly set up a Strat can stay in tune too (especially the two post floating trems - see Jeff Beck).

evolucian

Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
evolucian wrote: Not much to be honest. No dives, just good ol' gentle tremolo as it detunes after that (even detunes with gentle tremolo).
That's a different matter. ? The question was about damage... Anyway, properly set up a Strat can stay in tune too (especially the two post floating trems - see Jeff Beck).

Hence my other question regarding which is the standard trems now... I just have a whole bunch of screws waving hi n stuff

MikeM

Hahaha. Can finally put a voice to text now. If it's set up proper, you'll be able to go a bit more wild ? With most standard bridges.

AlanRatcliffe

evolucian wrote: What is the standard bridge on a strat nowadays anyway? Maybe mine's just poo

Standard Mexi or Standard US? Usually detuning problems on a Strat are nut and string trees, rather than the bridge. As mentioned, properly set up, tuning is not an issue. BTW - "Proper" set up on a synchronised (vintage, six stud) style trem means set up with no pullback.

evolucian

Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
evolucian wrote: What is the standard bridge on a strat nowadays anyway? Maybe mine's just poo
Standard Mexi or Standard US? Usually detuning problems on a Strat are nut and string trees, rather than the bridge. As mentioned, properly set up, tuning is not an issue. BTW - "Proper" set up on a synchronised (vintage, six stud) style trem means set up with no pullback.

Ah ok, thanks man... now I know. But I still aint using it. Too old to adjust my playing style *cough*