I have a Strat and I want make more use out of my tremolo (which I never thought I would need since I never use it). The problem is that is a regular strat bridge which goes out of tune fairly easy. I don't want to abuse it like Steve Vai does, but use it more for vibrato for notes kind of like Jeff Beck. Also since my band and I do a lot of covers a few divebombs and things might be useful too. (Ain't Talkin Bout Love solo uses tremolo by Van Halen and Rush's Limelight you pretty much need those tremolo effects otherwise the solo just wouldn't work because it is one of them solos where it almost needs to be note for note) Is there any way that won't cost too much money , or is there a simple way to keep it in tune a little better?
Keeping A regular strat in tune when using tremolo
- Thread starter t-wolf21
- Start date
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: Keeping A regular strat in tune when using tremolo
It's all in the setup on a trem bridge. Do you have the 2 pt American or the 6 hole vintage bridge?
First, the more springs you use, the more stable it will be. I use 3, but 4 is good as well. The AmStandard bridge should float about 1/8" off the face of the guitar. If you go to Mr. Gearhead at the Fender site, they have all the specs listed.
If you only downtrem and don't use the uptrem, I prefer the base of the bridge to rest agains't the body. Simply tighten the trem claw until the bridge rests against the body. Tighten it just enough so that when you do double stop bends and the like, the bridge doesn't lift off the body. It should still be just loose enough to allow you to divebomb and use tremolo effects with the bar, and return to pitch. I have my 6 hole vintage bridge set up this way and I have zero tuning issues.
Also, a good set of $50 locking Fender/Schaller tuners will make a huge difference too!
It's all in the setup on a trem bridge. Do you have the 2 pt American or the 6 hole vintage bridge?
First, the more springs you use, the more stable it will be. I use 3, but 4 is good as well. The AmStandard bridge should float about 1/8" off the face of the guitar. If you go to Mr. Gearhead at the Fender site, they have all the specs listed.
If you only downtrem and don't use the uptrem, I prefer the base of the bridge to rest agains't the body. Simply tighten the trem claw until the bridge rests against the body. Tighten it just enough so that when you do double stop bends and the like, the bridge doesn't lift off the body. It should still be just loose enough to allow you to divebomb and use tremolo effects with the bar, and return to pitch. I have my 6 hole vintage bridge set up this way and I have zero tuning issues.
Also, a good set of $50 locking Fender/Schaller tuners will make a huge difference too!
Curly
Moe's Bluesman
Re: Keeping A regular strat in tune when using tremolo
I use 4 springs and I put a little graphite on the saddles.
here's a good quote from an article on SRV's setup
" Vaughan’s standard vintage tremolo uses all five springs. Rene prefers the durability of the stainless steel Fender tremolo bars. He puts a small wad of cotton at the bottom of the tremolo-block hole to keep the bar from over-tightening and becoming hard to remove if it breaks. He emphasizes the importance of lubricating all the moving parts of the tremolo system, preferring a powdered graphite-and-grease mixture (the grease holds the graphite in place where it’s needed). He lubricates everything that moves: mounting screws/plate; all string “breaks” and contact points, including the saddle peaks; where the springs attach to the block and claw; the nut slots; and the string trees."
I use 4 springs and I put a little graphite on the saddles.
here's a good quote from an article on SRV's setup
" Vaughan’s standard vintage tremolo uses all five springs. Rene prefers the durability of the stainless steel Fender tremolo bars. He puts a small wad of cotton at the bottom of the tremolo-block hole to keep the bar from over-tightening and becoming hard to remove if it breaks. He emphasizes the importance of lubricating all the moving parts of the tremolo system, preferring a powdered graphite-and-grease mixture (the grease holds the graphite in place where it’s needed). He lubricates everything that moves: mounting screws/plate; all string “breaks” and contact points, including the saddle peaks; where the springs attach to the block and claw; the nut slots; and the string trees."
JimiHWannaBe
New member
Re: Keeping A regular strat in tune when using tremolo
always make sure that theres plenty of lubricant at the nut if theres not it will get caught up and go out of tune easy but if it can slide smoothly you wont have to be retuning it every song
always make sure that theres plenty of lubricant at the nut if theres not it will get caught up and go out of tune easy but if it can slide smoothly you wont have to be retuning it every song
JimiHWannaBe
New member
Re: Keeping A regular strat in tune when using tremolo
they have graphite lube stuff in a little tube but when i cant find that stuff i just use mechanical pencil lead. changing your strings depends on what kind of strings you get elixirs will last alot longer and how dirty your strings get i know people who will sit down and have a jam session and their strings will be black afterwards for me my strings last for months.
they have graphite lube stuff in a little tube but when i cant find that stuff i just use mechanical pencil lead. changing your strings depends on what kind of strings you get elixirs will last alot longer and how dirty your strings get i know people who will sit down and have a jam session and their strings will be black afterwards for me my strings last for months.
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: Keeping A regular strat in tune when using tremolo
Locking tuners help a ton in my opinioin..... the way they help is by not having string windings around the tuner post. Tuners either move ever so slightly, or as you use the trem the windings tighten or slip a little. The locking tuners are more stable, and again no windings to slip. As for the graphite, pencil lead works well as others have stated if your local guitar shop does not carry the graphite lube stuff in a tube...hell, vasoline, 3 in 1 oil, a little dab of most types of lubricant will work in a pinch...but I prefer graphite.
I would re-apply your lubricant every time you change strings....or whenever you notice a string not comming back to tune. It really depends on how much you play.
Locking tuners help a ton in my opinioin..... the way they help is by not having string windings around the tuner post. Tuners either move ever so slightly, or as you use the trem the windings tighten or slip a little. The locking tuners are more stable, and again no windings to slip. As for the graphite, pencil lead works well as others have stated if your local guitar shop does not carry the graphite lube stuff in a tube...hell, vasoline, 3 in 1 oil, a little dab of most types of lubricant will work in a pinch...but I prefer graphite.
I would re-apply your lubricant every time you change strings....or whenever you notice a string not comming back to tune. It really depends on how much you play.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Keeping A regular strat in tune when using tremolo
1. Get the bridge setup like Jeff H said; floating, good spring tension, intonated again.
2. I don't like to muck up the nut with black graphite, so I use either white Teflon powder I bought at a hobby store or Carmex Lip Balm. Also, take the guitar to a good tech and pay him a few bucks to run a file through the nut slots that's a bit bigger than your string gauge. This will eliminate binding. Use 10's? Cut for 11's.
3. Every string change, lube the nut slots and tops of each saddle.
4. Stretch your strings really good after changing them. Wank on the bar real hard, up and down to break it in. See how much Jeff Beck abuses his trem? That's one reason his guitar stays in tune....it's used to the abuse.
1. Get the bridge setup like Jeff H said; floating, good spring tension, intonated again.
2. I don't like to muck up the nut with black graphite, so I use either white Teflon powder I bought at a hobby store or Carmex Lip Balm. Also, take the guitar to a good tech and pay him a few bucks to run a file through the nut slots that's a bit bigger than your string gauge. This will eliminate binding. Use 10's? Cut for 11's.
3. Every string change, lube the nut slots and tops of each saddle.
4. Stretch your strings really good after changing them. Wank on the bar real hard, up and down to break it in. See how much Jeff Beck abuses his trem? That's one reason his guitar stays in tune....it's used to the abuse.
Hot _Grits
Buttery Toneologist
Re: Keeping A regular strat in tune when using tremolo
I have a vintage 6 point with sperzel height-adjustable locking tuners on my 57ri, and it stays in tune very well. One trick with this setup is to make sure the nut is cut properly and that the string trees aren't binding. I only use a tree for the e string, as it'll pop out of the nut slot if I don't. If you have a tree for the d and g strings, remove it. occasionally the e string binds on my 57ri, and I just yank on it to bring it back.
I have a vintage 6 point with sperzel height-adjustable locking tuners on my 57ri, and it stays in tune very well. One trick with this setup is to make sure the nut is cut properly and that the string trees aren't binding. I only use a tree for the e string, as it'll pop out of the nut slot if I don't. If you have a tree for the d and g strings, remove it. occasionally the e string binds on my 57ri, and I just yank on it to bring it back.
Ken
PlayingWithDollsologist
Re: Keeping A regular strat in tune when using tremolo
Not necessarily true. I play D'addarios exclusively on all my instruments (electrics, acoustics, and basses) and they last forever under my fingers. Other players have to change them out every week or switch brands. It's all in how the manufacturer makes them and the acidity and oils in your fingers.
Play whatever strings you like and find what works best for you. That's the reason why there are so many successful string companies: they all work well for somebody. I know players that swear by Martin strings for their acoustics...to me, they sound dead the second I put them on and they only get worse and dirtier from there.
JimiHWannaBe said:
Not necessarily true. I play D'addarios exclusively on all my instruments (electrics, acoustics, and basses) and they last forever under my fingers. Other players have to change them out every week or switch brands. It's all in how the manufacturer makes them and the acidity and oils in your fingers.
Play whatever strings you like and find what works best for you. That's the reason why there are so many successful string companies: they all work well for somebody. I know players that swear by Martin strings for their acoustics...to me, they sound dead the second I put them on and they only get worse and dirtier from there.
Curly
Moe's Bluesman
Re: Keeping A regular strat in tune when using tremolo
although I just use graphite in a locksmith's tube, I've seen several folks swear by Big Bends Nut Sauce
I would imagine that there are teflon compounds that work as well
although I just use graphite in a locksmith's tube, I've seen several folks swear by Big Bends Nut Sauce
I would imagine that there are teflon compounds that work as well
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