I have a Godin Progression (strat "copy") with a 2 point tremolo. I haven't had to touch the set up, it's about perfect. I'm not much of a strat player and not a trem fan. The trem is set up flush. I never use it. Three springs in the cavity but the guitar stays in tune. I don't want to bother blocking it. So the question is would you leave it with 3 springs or add a couple more springs just to be "safe". Not owning any other trem equipped quitars, I don't have any springs on hand so I'm asking if y'all think I should bother ordering them to add two more, or just leave it as is.
Opinion on Tremolo - trem/strat players
- Thread starter Darg1911
- Start date
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Opinion on Tremolo - trem/strat players
If not blocking it and it's flush, I would put as many springs as it can have.
For the record, those arms are vibrato arms (wavering the pitch). Tremolo is fast staccato picking of the same note. Fender perpetuated a couple musical misnomers in its product feature names.
If not blocking it and it's flush, I would put as many springs as it can have.
For the record, those arms are vibrato arms (wavering the pitch). Tremolo is fast staccato picking of the same note. Fender perpetuated a couple musical misnomers in its product feature names.
kramersteen
PowerMetalRaph
Re: Opinion on Tremolo - trem/strat players
I like one spring on an angle.
I like one spring on an angle.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Opinion on Tremolo - trem/strat players
If you like it, don't mess with it.
Bill
If you like it, don't mess with it.
Bill
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: Opinion on Tremolo - trem/strat players
Put five springs with the hardest tension avaible on it......
Sell it and buy a Tele......
Why do people buy Strat style guitars and complain about the vibrato???
Mehehe
Put five springs with the hardest tension avaible on it......
Sell it and buy a Tele......
Why do people buy Strat style guitars and complain about the vibrato???
Mehehe
H
HiFiRebel
Guest
Re: Opinion on Tremolo - trem/strat players
I use five springs and the most tension available. But I still use the trem. Nice sustain and tuning stability thay way.
I use five springs and the most tension available. But I still use the trem. Nice sustain and tuning stability thay way.
Silence Kid
New member
Re: Opinion on Tremolo - trem/strat players
A bit of a corollary; I have a cheap Strat copy that has three springs. The retainer is screwed to the point where the trem cannot move during bends (and hardly will using the arm, without using all one's strength.) I can't imagine using any additional springs would have much effect on tone or bending. I picked up the guitar this way, didn't do it myself.
Is it undesirable to screw fewer springs so hard down, as far as there being a risk to, I don't know, damaging the threads in the body if you need to back them out again or some-such? Also, I'm frequently fearful when backing spring retainers out for less tension, of whether it's going to strip and shoot out. How deep should the screws be threaded into the body, minimum, and is it even possible to approach that minimum when attempting to tweak within reason?
A bit of a corollary; I have a cheap Strat copy that has three springs. The retainer is screwed to the point where the trem cannot move during bends (and hardly will using the arm, without using all one's strength.) I can't imagine using any additional springs would have much effect on tone or bending. I picked up the guitar this way, didn't do it myself.
Is it undesirable to screw fewer springs so hard down, as far as there being a risk to, I don't know, damaging the threads in the body if you need to back them out again or some-such? Also, I'm frequently fearful when backing spring retainers out for less tension, of whether it's going to strip and shoot out. How deep should the screws be threaded into the body, minimum, and is it even possible to approach that minimum when attempting to tweak within reason?
Re: Opinion on Tremolo - trem/strat players
Certainly you want screws long enough so that they won't be pulled out by the springs. But if the wood has not been stripped by too much adjusting, you should be fine with standard size screws.
My problem with screwing the retainer so tight is that it "blocks" the trem down hard on the guitar. This not only ruins the finish but can create some "rattle/buzz". I prefer to let the trem and springs do the work and not the surface/finish of my guitar. So I would rather either block the trem solid with a wedge of wood as many people do, or adjust the trem plate just off of the surface of my guitar and put on 4-5 stiff springs to keep it there during bends and yet still be able to use the trem if I so desire.
Certainly you want screws long enough so that they won't be pulled out by the springs. But if the wood has not been stripped by too much adjusting, you should be fine with standard size screws.
My problem with screwing the retainer so tight is that it "blocks" the trem down hard on the guitar. This not only ruins the finish but can create some "rattle/buzz". I prefer to let the trem and springs do the work and not the surface/finish of my guitar. So I would rather either block the trem solid with a wedge of wood as many people do, or adjust the trem plate just off of the surface of my guitar and put on 4-5 stiff springs to keep it there during bends and yet still be able to use the trem if I so desire.
