stratman50th
September 28th, 2006, 11:35 AM
There has been a lot of questions on how to set up a Fender Stratocaster Tremolo. Here is the instructions from Fender:
Stratocasters can be found with four distinctive types of bridges. The most well known bridge is the vintage style "synchronized" tremolo. The other three are the American Standard bridge, which is a modern-day two-pivot bridge, the non-tremolo hardtail bridge, and the locking tremolo such as the American Deluxe or Floyd Rose® locking tremolos.
First, remove the tremolo back cover. Check your tuning. Let’s start with a vintage style tremolo bridge. Here’s a great tip to enhance the performance of this bridge: Using your tremolo arm, pull the bridge back flush with the body. Loosen all six screws located at the front edge of the bridge plate. Raise them so that all of the screws measure approximately 1/16" (1.6 mm) above the top of the bridge plate. Finally, tighten the two outside screws back down until they are flush with the top of the bridge plate. The bridge will now pivot on the outside screws, leaving the four inside screws in place for bridge stability. For a two-pivot bridge like the American Standard bridge use your tremolo arm to pull the bridge back flush with the body and adjust the two pivot screws to the point where the tremolo plate sits entirely flush at the body (not lifted at the front or back of the plate).
Allowing the bridge to float freely (no tension on the tremolo arm) using the claw screws in the tremolo cavity, adjust the bridge to your desired angle (Fender spec. is 1/8" (3.2 mm) gap at rear of bridge). You will need to retune periodically to get the right balance between the strings and the springs. If you prefer a flush bridge to body, adjust spring tension to equal string tension, while the bridge rests on body (you may want to put an extra 1/2 turn to each claw screw to ensure that the bridge remains flush to the body during string bends). Caution: Do not over-tighten the springs as it can put unnecessary tension on the arm during tremolo use. Finally, you may wish to apply a small dab of Chapstick® or Vaseline® at the pivot contact points of the bridge for a very smooth operation.
Here's the link for the full Stratocaster set-up guide:
http://www.fender.com/support/setup/stratsetup.php
On a personal note, I have heard a lot of people state that their Fender floating Tremolo bridge will not stay in tune. I have never had any problems with mine. What I have found is many tuning problems can be avoided with a properly cut nut for the string gauges being used, and lubricating all of the moving parts including saddles, nut, and string trees.
Additional Info on Custom Deluxe MIA Strat with the Pop in tremolo arm, 7-15-07:
After several people asking for this I'll put it in here.
If you have the Custom Deluxe MIA Strat with the Pop in tremolo arm, here is how you install and remove it:
Lay the guitar flat on a bench or table. Push the trem arm in until it snaps. It really takes more pressure than you would think it should, but it will go in with a snap. Just try and keep the bridge level and straight. The first time you push it in that hard you cringe, but once you feel how much pressure it takes, you'll understand what I'm saying.
Removing it is the same. Lay the guitar on a flat surface, I hold on to the bridge to keep it as stationary as possible. Pull straight up on the tremolo arm while holding down the bridge. It will pop out.
Again gang, it takes some pressure so push till it pops in, even though you're afraid it's too much.
Stratocasters can be found with four distinctive types of bridges. The most well known bridge is the vintage style "synchronized" tremolo. The other three are the American Standard bridge, which is a modern-day two-pivot bridge, the non-tremolo hardtail bridge, and the locking tremolo such as the American Deluxe or Floyd Rose® locking tremolos.
First, remove the tremolo back cover. Check your tuning. Let’s start with a vintage style tremolo bridge. Here’s a great tip to enhance the performance of this bridge: Using your tremolo arm, pull the bridge back flush with the body. Loosen all six screws located at the front edge of the bridge plate. Raise them so that all of the screws measure approximately 1/16" (1.6 mm) above the top of the bridge plate. Finally, tighten the two outside screws back down until they are flush with the top of the bridge plate. The bridge will now pivot on the outside screws, leaving the four inside screws in place for bridge stability. For a two-pivot bridge like the American Standard bridge use your tremolo arm to pull the bridge back flush with the body and adjust the two pivot screws to the point where the tremolo plate sits entirely flush at the body (not lifted at the front or back of the plate).
Allowing the bridge to float freely (no tension on the tremolo arm) using the claw screws in the tremolo cavity, adjust the bridge to your desired angle (Fender spec. is 1/8" (3.2 mm) gap at rear of bridge). You will need to retune periodically to get the right balance between the strings and the springs. If you prefer a flush bridge to body, adjust spring tension to equal string tension, while the bridge rests on body (you may want to put an extra 1/2 turn to each claw screw to ensure that the bridge remains flush to the body during string bends). Caution: Do not over-tighten the springs as it can put unnecessary tension on the arm during tremolo use. Finally, you may wish to apply a small dab of Chapstick® or Vaseline® at the pivot contact points of the bridge for a very smooth operation.
Here's the link for the full Stratocaster set-up guide:
http://www.fender.com/support/setup/stratsetup.php
On a personal note, I have heard a lot of people state that their Fender floating Tremolo bridge will not stay in tune. I have never had any problems with mine. What I have found is many tuning problems can be avoided with a properly cut nut for the string gauges being used, and lubricating all of the moving parts including saddles, nut, and string trees.
Additional Info on Custom Deluxe MIA Strat with the Pop in tremolo arm, 7-15-07:
After several people asking for this I'll put it in here.
If you have the Custom Deluxe MIA Strat with the Pop in tremolo arm, here is how you install and remove it:
Lay the guitar flat on a bench or table. Push the trem arm in until it snaps. It really takes more pressure than you would think it should, but it will go in with a snap. Just try and keep the bridge level and straight. The first time you push it in that hard you cringe, but once you feel how much pressure it takes, you'll understand what I'm saying.
Removing it is the same. Lay the guitar on a flat surface, I hold on to the bridge to keep it as stationary as possible. Pull straight up on the tremolo arm while holding down the bridge. It will pop out.
Again gang, it takes some pressure so push till it pops in, even though you're afraid it's too much.