American Deluxe Bridge Installation and Adjustment

[leon2982]

I bought a '94 American Deluxe Stratocaster body and neck only. I got a period pick guard and i'm using Fender Texas Special pups. The electronics are 2-250k standard and 1-250k push-pull pots. I'm not exactly sure about some of the pieces that go with the Fender American Deluxe bridge I bought. The inserts don't fit tight; they just drop in. I dropped the bridge in the body cavity and attached 3 springs from the base to the clip. All of this is correct I guess. I'm only familiar with the hard tail type bridge with screws holding down the bridge. On this one the mounting screws that fit in the brass inserts just seem a little less robust than I'm comfortable with at this time. It looks to me like the only thing keeping the bridge from popping out the top of the guitar are the springs underneath. I look around on the web for some specifics but still not 100% that I have this right. I can't seem to get the bridge level either. Maybe I'll try some stiffer springs. Anyone know of a site that explains and/or maybe shows all of this?

 

[leon2982]

Re: American Deluxe Bridge Installation and Adjustment

Well, that was easy. The springs were way too long; they came with the body and neck when I bought it. I replaced them with some new Stratocaster springs which were noticeably shorter. This whole bridge unit looks and feels a lot better now.

 

[leon2982]

Re: American Deluxe Bridge Installation and Adjustment

further research; looks like the brass inserts are supposed to fit quite snug. mine will just fall right out from gravity only. the inserts have vertical splines but the inside of the holes show no indication that inserts were ever in the hole. i'll see if fender support has any information.