Fender Stratocaster Setup Part 5 of 9: Tremolo Bridge Options

This is a set of nine videos on how I set up my Fender Stratocaster guitar.

SETUP PROCEDURE: http://jeffersonone.webs.com/Fender%20Stratocaster%20Setup.pdf

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Fender
• Stratocaster
• Setup
• Part
• Tremolo
• Bridge
• Options

[eigenbroetler321]

First, thanks for the free tutorial. Second, I don't get what mechanically is going on with the tremolo block when you adjust any of the 6 screws on the face of the bridge. The only way I know to make my bridge float or sit is with the two screws in the cavity on the back that you describe @2:33 . Can you explain in more detail the function of these 6 screws on the face?

[jeffersononetwo]

@eigenbroetler321 ... I'll try: on the outer edge of the plate (by screws 1 & 6) there is a slight beveled edge so that using the tremolo bar the bridge plate will 'roll' - imagine if it were not machined and just squared and sharp. Loosening the two outer screws allows the bridge to 'roll' easier - tighten all the way down it will still move but not as easy & might even damage the surface finish some. Really not sure why the other screws are there except stability maybe.

[eigenbroetler321]

@jeffersononetwo Thanks for the quick reply. I like my bridge to sit on the body, not float, but I like to be able to dive bomb. Do I still need the 2,3,4,&5 screws to be 2/32nds loosened?

[jeffersononetwo]

@eigenbroetler321 No problem! Yes,starting from a point where the bridge is flat & all six screws tightened down, you work with the six screws & tremolo spring. All six screws go to 2/32 inch while you have the spring tension so that the bridge is flush. At that point, you would then tighten the two outside screws down flush (not over-tighten) and just leave the others at 2/32 inch.

[eigenbroetler321]

@jeffersononetwo And by dive bomb, I just mean have some slack to vibrato and do small dives. I'm not trying to do Van Halen stuff.

[jeffersononetwo]

@eigenbroetler321 Yep, yep ... same here -- too many really overdo it sometimes - hah.

[gnarleypunkroker5]

can u buy a fixed bridge setup to put o na strat from fender?

[Sco22]

You say not to adjust the bottom of the saddle more than 4/32 away from the body. That does not allow for much pitch change when you pull back the bar. I like to have much more pitch variation than that, a la Jeff Beck's setup. What things would you need to compensate for a more extreme float in a setup like that?

[willeng84]

@Mpapic its the screws he is messing with here, I 100% know what your talking about but when properly set it will lay flat with 3 springs I promise you 100% no lie, Its funky but both screws if using a 2 screw bridge or setup like this and get the 2 outside screws proper and do the middle as he has done, either way as I was saying its funky both outside ones have to be set pretty damn perfect sometimes, I can watch on one of mine if I touch either one it raises in the back but proper its perfect

[jeffersononetwo]

@Bartzepfloyd Thanks for the question ... some of the Squires are pretty nice - I have a MIM Strat that I LOVE! I can't say for certain, but I think it would fit -- one way to find out would be to take the bridge off of the Squire the next time you change strings and take some measurements :)