Strats . . . 3 spring vs. 5 spring trems.

[SirJackdeFuzz II]

This might be the most amateurish question of the day, so please do excuse my ignorance.
From your experience, do you feel (hear) that there is a difference in the clean tone between a Strat set up with 3 springs vs. the same Start set up with 5 springs in the trem system ?

Thanks.

[Mincer]

I can't hear it. But I don't like the way a trem works with 5.

[ICTGoober]

I hear no difference between number of springs. However - the number of springs obviously determines the action of the vibrato system. On a Fender derived system, I like to set them up with 2 springs, full floating. I find them more responsive that way.

[solspirit]

Never heard a difference.

[GuitarStv]

I don't hear a difference, but I prefer 3 springs to 5 for feel of the trem when you're using it. 5 is good if you want to deck the trem and use it as a hardtail.

[solspirit]

I don't hear a difference, but I prefer 3 springs to 5 for feel of the trem when you're using it. 5 is good if you want to deck the trem and use it as a hardtail.

I do on some.

[Spaghetti Bolo]

On a Fender derived system, I like to set them up with 2 springs, full floating. I find them more responsive that way.

I settled on just 2 springs also. I'm of the (totally unscientifically founded) opinion that fewer springs are more stable.

[Chistopher]

I settled on just 2 springs also. I'm of the (totally unscientifically founded) opinion that fewer springs are more stable.

More tension is more stable provided the neck is also stable. On thinner necks less tension is more stable.

I can hear a slight difference in the sympathetic vibration of the springs on occasion if I am playing unplugged, but it doesn't go through the pickups

[GuitarStv]

More tension is more stable provided the neck is also stable. On thinner necks less tension is more stable.

I can hear a slight difference in the sympathetic vibration of the springs on occasion if I am playing unplugged, but it doesn't go through the pickups

I usually jam some foam inside the springs to kill sympathetic vibration. I'll take my 'verb from the amp, not the guitar thank you very much. :P

[marcello252]

I usually put enough springs to make the bridge flat on body when in tune (so the trem works only in detuning and if I break a string it remains tuned), not more, generally 3 is enough

[SirJackdeFuzz II]

I can't hear it. But I don't like the way a trem works with 5.

. . . too tight ?

[Mincer]

. . . too tight ?

It becomes not effective/non-workable as a vibrato system.

[beaubrummels]

I can hear a difference. It's slight. But having a tighter connection to that anchor in the body seems to affect something in the sustain and/or tone IME.

[Chistopher]

As far as sustain goes, I've only noticed a difference with fully floating or down-only. Granted I have never actively tested sustain as related to pressure of the bridge on the body

[Sirion]

I settled on just 2 springs also. I'm of the (totally unscientifically founded) opinion that fewer springs are more stable.

This has been my anecdotal observation as well. It seems to fly in the face of Internet convention, but there you have it.