Need help with Tremelo on a strat.

arath060

arath060

New member
I have a 2004 Squier Affinty Strat alder body with a freshly installed Fender 50's Stratocaster Maple Neck. I also swapped the pickups for a Duncan SSL-1 and SS-5, a 70's reissue pickup is to be added soon. I also plan on changing out the tremolo but I'm having trouble deciding on what to purchase. I want a steel block so I can get a slightly better sound but I am unsure of the measurements or what will fit. The body still has the really garbage "vintage" tremolo system and I want to purchase something a bit nicer considering it's the last of the hardware I'm swapping on this guitar.

Here are some pics:
20160605_232449.jpg20160605_232521.jpg

Would a tremolo system like this work:
https://stratosphereparts.com/fender-standard-stratocaster-strat-tremolo-whammy-bar-bridge-vintage-style/

This is the only thing I'm truly lost on, hope you guys can help.
 
Re: Need help with Tremelo on a strat.

Thanks for replying, after checking my body is 1.5" thick, and it's 10.8mm spacing. I am unsure where I could find a tremolo that will fit this? Could you point me to any site?
 
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Re: Need help with Tremelo on a strat.

^ The body depth might be a deal breaker there. And what is the 10.8mm bit?? The key points are E-E string and external mounting bolt dimensions

Check Gotoh, they have a pretty nice trem with a big block as standard......but you will need to check the measurements.
 
Re: Need help with Tremelo on a strat.

Hi,
you have to measure from E->E and divide by 5, I doubt chinese squires have 10.8 spacing. When I was in the market for a replacement trem for my asian strat 10.5 -> 52.5 total was my measurements. (Gibson tuno-matic is the same)
Vintage strats have 11.2mm*5=56mm total, Floyd Rose comes with 10.8mm*5 = 54mm total.
 
Re: Need help with Tremelo on a strat.

My guess it is the body depth that is going to be a problem. Most good replacements will simply stick out, unless a company makes one specifically for thinner bodies (I don't know of one, but it is possible). Still, I bet it sounds great with those pickups in there.
 
Re: Need help with Tremelo on a strat.

Hi guys, it's an indonesian alder body circa 2004. I measured from E to Ehi and got 52.5 mm which is 10.5mm spacing. Personally I do not keep the cover on the back of my guitar so would the tremolo block sticking out be too much of an issue besides it looking a bit bad? I've heard that I could take the block to a machinist and he could cut it to spec.

The guitar itself is still getting an overhaul because the pots I used are quite bad, it needs some better shielding (The middle and neck pups get back feedback), and I plan on installing a 70's fender pup, black pickguard, Seymour Duncan 250K Pots, and a mini toggle switch for the SSL-5.

If it comes to the point where I have to fill the original holes and drill new ones for an american/mexican tremolo, I wouldn't mind too much.
 
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Re: Need help with Tremelo on a strat.

Excellent, I'll be sure to post the results one I have everything said and done!
 
Re: Need help with Tremelo on a strat.

Seems to function relatively well. I have to don't push very hard on the tremolo. I'm getting some new effects pedals soon (Phase 90 and maybe a VOX Wah-Wah) so I'm going to put it through it's paces.
 
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