How to setup Strat for more tremolo range?
- Thread starter '59
- Start date
Silence Kid
New member
Re: How to setup Strat for more tremolo range?
Have you tried bending the arm back farther? If the arm contacts the pickguard when you slam it, you may have some range still in it.
Have you tried bending the arm back farther? If the arm contacts the pickguard when you slam it, you may have some range still in it.
Re: How to setup Strat for more tremolo range?
I don't think the issue is the arm. But I did notice something funny. When I push the bar all the way down it reaches a point where it won't move the bridge any further but the arm will bend. I checked to make sure that the block wasn't bottoming out on anything, so I think there might be something up with the tremolo arm. Maybe the pressure of the strings is enough to do it.
Do you think I'll get more range if I take one of the springs out? Maybe get a shorter bar? Or are there any bridges short of a Floyd Rose that will give me the range I want with no trouble?
I don't think the issue is the arm. But I did notice something funny. When I push the bar all the way down it reaches a point where it won't move the bridge any further but the arm will bend. I checked to make sure that the block wasn't bottoming out on anything, so I think there might be something up with the tremolo arm. Maybe the pressure of the strings is enough to do it.
Do you think I'll get more range if I take one of the springs out? Maybe get a shorter bar? Or are there any bridges short of a Floyd Rose that will give me the range I want with no trouble?
Silence Kid
New member
Re: How to setup Strat for more tremolo range?
The geometry of the Strat trem creates the limits of pitch during down-bend, not the tension or number of springs. I'll let someone else chime in on replacement bridges, but that's pretty much the next way to go.
The geometry of the Strat trem creates the limits of pitch during down-bend, not the tension or number of springs. I'll let someone else chime in on replacement bridges, but that's pretty much the next way to go.
Re: How to setup Strat for more tremolo range?
Have you personally tried the blade runner? I asked I'm another thread about the range and didn't get any answers.
Have you personally tried the blade runner? I asked I'm another thread about the range and didn't get any answers.
DavidRavenMoon
New member
Re: How to setup Strat for more tremolo range?
It also depends on your string gauge. On my Parker P-38 with a Wilkinson trem, I can dive bomb until the low strings aren’t making notes anymore. lol I’m using a 9-46 set. The lower tension means they don’t have as far to go to get to a very slack state.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It also depends on your string gauge. On my Parker P-38 with a Wilkinson trem, I can dive bomb until the low strings aren’t making notes anymore. lol I’m using a 9-46 set. The lower tension means they don’t have as far to go to get to a very slack state.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: How to setup Strat for more tremolo range?
The reason I don't want a Floyd Rose is because I have a heavily custom pickguard and I don't want to cut it or have to buy a new one.
My guitar has no issues with tuning stability, period. It has locking tuners and a graphite nut that's been cut perfectly. My house is kept at 70°F and 44%-46% humidity, and really the only time I need to tune it- even with my heavy trem use- is when it's about time for me to change my strings.
The reason I don't want a Floyd Rose is because I have a heavily custom pickguard and I don't want to cut it or have to buy a new one.
My guitar has no issues with tuning stability, period. It has locking tuners and a graphite nut that's been cut perfectly. My house is kept at 70°F and 44%-46% humidity, and really the only time I need to tune it- even with my heavy trem use- is when it's about time for me to change my strings.
nexion218
New member
Re: How to setup Strat for more tremolo range?
I am not sure how the dimension line up, but it is not necessary to mount a Floyd in a recessed cavity, you can have it surface mounted.
Recenty I've seen Guthrie Govan talk about his new sig axe which has a Floyd Rose produced, but absolutely not floating bridge. Not sure how much range that gives though, just an idea that you could do you own research on.
Update: I might be wrong with the last one, it does seem to float. Still, the dimensions seem to be much closer to the strat style tremolo.
I am not sure how the dimension line up, but it is not necessary to mount a Floyd in a recessed cavity, you can have it surface mounted.
Recenty I've seen Guthrie Govan talk about his new sig axe which has a Floyd Rose produced, but absolutely not floating bridge. Not sure how much range that gives though, just an idea that you could do you own research on.
Update: I might be wrong with the last one, it does seem to float. Still, the dimensions seem to be much closer to the strat style tremolo.
Last edited:
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: How to setup Strat for more tremolo range?
Guthrie Goven's signature model was designed because he likes a floating Floyd Rose, but doesn't like the locking nut. He has a regular nut and locking tuners, which can do the job just as well as a locking nut.
Guthrie Goven's signature model was designed because he likes a floating Floyd Rose, but doesn't like the locking nut. He has a regular nut and locking tuners, which can do the job just as well as a locking nut.
Last edited:
Re: How to setup Strat for more tremolo range?
Yes, it is on my Warmoth strat. It bends down and up more than a vintage Strat, but not like a Floyd.
Yes, it is on my Warmoth strat. It bends down and up more than a vintage Strat, but not like a Floyd.
Re: How to setup Strat for more tremolo range?
it took me a while to think about it, but this will work for you:
A Sophia trem. it's got the same stud spacing as a normal US 2 point trem, so no routing required. it has the locking system for the strings and it has the range.
https://sophiatremolos.com/collections/sophia-2-22-complete-series/products/sophia-2-22-tremolo
it took me a while to think about it, but this will work for you:
A Sophia trem. it's got the same stud spacing as a normal US 2 point trem, so no routing required. it has the locking system for the strings and it has the range.
https://sophiatremolos.com/collections/sophia-2-22-complete-series/products/sophia-2-22-tremolo
Re: How to setup Strat for more tremolo range?
Do you have it setup for down-only, or both ways? What would be perfect for me would be about a minor third upwards and at least a perfect fourth downwards.
Do you know round about how many semitones you can manipulate the sound with your setup? My Strat currently has a major third going down and about a quarter step going up- which is really just for light vibrato.
Do you have it setup for down-only, or both ways? What would be perfect for me would be about a minor third upwards and at least a perfect fourth downwards.
Do you know round about how many semitones you can manipulate the sound with your setup? My Strat currently has a major third going down and about a quarter step going up- which is really just for light vibrato.
Re: How to setup Strat for more tremolo range?
It is certainly a minor 3rd upwards, as that's what I like. But I never tested the downward range. The guitar is at the studio, right now. You can also send the company and email and ask what their system can be set to. It is a really great system, that feels good to use, too.
It is certainly a minor 3rd upwards, as that's what I like. But I never tested the downward range. The guitar is at the studio, right now. You can also send the company and email and ask what their system can be set to. It is a really great system, that feels good to use, too.
Re: How to setup Strat for more tremolo range?
I was looking at that link and that is a ridiculously nice system. The only trouble is that I have a 6-point trem and to install that I'd have to alter the pickguard, but if the blade runner doesn't work out, I'll look to that one. It's got some cool stuff going on for sure.
it took me a while to think about it, but this will work for you:
A Sophia trem. it's got the same stud spacing as a normal US 2 point trem, so no routing required. it has the locking system for the strings and it has the range.
https://sophiatremolos.com/collections/sophia-2-22-complete-series/products/sophia-2-22-tremolo
I was looking at that link and that is a ridiculously nice system. The only trouble is that I have a 6-point trem and to install that I'd have to alter the pickguard, but if the blade runner doesn't work out, I'll look to that one. It's got some cool stuff going on for sure.
Re: How to setup Strat for more tremolo range?
I actually emailed them the exact question, and the guy danced around the question and pointed me to their $400 locking unit, which is way out of my price range.
But would you would say that you have more than enough downward range to pull off *decent whammy bar antics? I'm not looking for full blown tom foolery, but I'm really mostly looking for a convincing dive bomb. Any time I try to do one it sounds more like a "half dive".
I actually emailed them the exact question, and the guy danced around the question and pointed me to their $400 locking unit, which is way out of my price range.
But would you would say that you have more than enough downward range to pull off *decent whammy bar antics? I'm not looking for full blown tom foolery, but I'm really mostly looking for a convincing dive bomb. Any time I try to do one it sounds more like a "half dive".
nexion218
New member
Re: How to setup Strat for more tremolo range?
Yup, I realized that - that is why I immediately corrected myself. Though what I said about the dimensions being possibly close to what OP needs and the option to surface mount still applies.
Yup, I realized that - that is why I immediately corrected myself. Though what I said about the dimensions being possibly close to what OP needs and the option to surface mount still applies.
