Raw Vintage Springs

[the guy who invented fire]

I put a set of these in my Strat a few weeks ago and have just been playing it and really paying special attention to the impact on the guitar they have.

I have seen a lot of threads here and on other forums about these springs and opinions seem to be a solid 50/50 split.

I am here to say I fall FIRMLY on the "These are an amazing upgrade for a Strat" side of things!

I was running 3 Callaham springs and was alright with things but was always wishing I could go to 4 or even 5 springs but they were so tight that with more than 3, even with the claw WAY out I wasn't able to float the trem...

The Raw Vintage springs are bigger overall but are less tight springs so now I can use all 5 springs and still float the trem. Best of all it feels better when I use the bar...smoother, stays in tune better and yes, I feel like it sounds better.

Having 5 springs in there is just a more solid contact and it shows...bigger, richer, more full tone and a better overall feel to boot!

Best $20 you can spend on a Strat IMHO...IF you float the vibrato.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Raw Vintage Springs

Ive used these springs lately when I mod my floyd guitars on my nicer ones where Ive put in a big block and claw. I like the feel of them. I dont have a strat that floats, but I can imagine the bene.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Raw Vintage Springs

Are they cold rolled steel like Callaham? I'd also suggest a tremolo Claw upgrade..those things, usually zinc, are awful pieces of junk. Theres a brass claw upgrade somewhere for 20 bucks.

 

[wahwah]

Re: Raw Vintage Springs

I concur on all points. I've had both the Raw Vintage Springs (5) and Raw Vintage saddles on my Strat for the past 18 months or so. The saddles replaced a set of Callahams because they sounded better. I love the sound and feel of the 5 Raw Vintage springs with a floating vibrato system.




Cheers....................................... wahwah

 

[LReese]

Re: Raw Vintage Springs

Tried the springs on 2 different guitars. There was a change in feel, but nothing I picked up in the tone. I changed them, waited for several weeks and went back to stock.

Its certainly worth a try.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Raw Vintage Springs

Tried the springs on 2 different guitars. There was a change in feel, but nothing I picked up in the tone. I changed them, waited for several weeks and went back to stock.

Its certainly worth a try.

I recently put them on a Floyd and like the feel- it's a lot smoother

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Raw Vintage Springs

How many did you use for a Floyd? The usual 3 or all 5?

 

[trevorus]

Re: Raw Vintage Springs

Are they cold rolled steel like Callaham? I'd also suggest a tremolo Claw upgrade..those things, usually zinc, are awful pieces of junk. Theres a brass claw upgrade somewhere for 20 bucks.

I don't think they are zinc. The block on a cheap trem is usually a type of Zamak, a zinc alloy. The claws are usually die cut stamped steel of some unspecific origin which are plated to take solder for your ground wire.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Re: Raw Vintage Springs

I use them as well (in my Floyded superstrat) and like them very much. I used 4 for a while then thought to add the 5th to see what the effect would be, and it was remarkable - guitar perceptibly more resonant and a bit 'bigger' sounding.

Because they're soft, it's easier to pop the bridge on and off for maintenance.

So, I wouldn't say it's a good upgrade just for Strats .

 

[jeremy]

Re: Raw Vintage Springs

so as a guy who decks the trem, would there be any benefit of getting the raw vintage springs?

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Raw Vintage Springs

Probably not. For your style you need the extra strength/stiffness of modern springs. Unless, by "as a guy who decks the trem" you mean that you have your trem plate flat on your guitar. It's more of a finesse kinda thing...softer, smoother, more even feel.

I personally like the stiff feel of 5 modern springs on all my trems, decked and floating, though I rarely use a trem.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Raw Vintage Springs

I dont know how actually beneficial it is, (other than looking trick)but my top 3 main floyded players all have the brass claw, big block and Raw vintage springs from KGC. the Claw may not make much diff tonally, but looks cool. It does seem like a more solid claw than stock..

 

[J E C]

Re: Raw Vintage Springs

So who are these players you elude to?

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Raw Vintage Springs

I'm gonna have to try these springs

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Raw Vintage Springs

How many did you use for a Floyd? The usual 3 or all 5?

I use either 3 or 4. I normally always use 3 regular springs and with the Raw Vintage, I usually use one more than with reg springs.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Raw Vintage Springs

Well, it's been a week or so and I have to say...I just love these springs!

I actually blows my mind that such a small and very overlooked part of a guitar can make this much difference.

I have gotten a few Pm's about these so let me just say one more time...

I don't think it'll matter much if any at all if you deck the trem but for me I was able to really dial in that last 10% of adjustment I was always looking for with 3 springs before this.

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Raw Vintage Springs

What are the advantages to floating a strat trem?

I've always had mine decked but I'm open to any awesomeness.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Raw Vintage Springs

What are the advantages to floating a strat trem?

I've always had mine decked but I'm open to any awesomeness.

Bend up and down, instead of just down.

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Raw Vintage Springs

Ah, I just thought there might be more to it.

Thanks though!

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: Raw Vintage Springs

What are the advantages to floating a strat trem?

Floyd Envy.