Setting up a Fender Strat Vibrato...

[Lewguitar]

Someone asked about setting up a Strat Vibrato mechanism. Here's how I do it:

First, decide if you want to dive bomb only or if you want to be able to pull up on the vibrato too.

If you want to dive bomb only then adjust the bridge baseplate flat against the body of the guitar. If you want to raise the pitch also (like Jeff Beck) then you'll want the bridge baseplate floating and NOT tight against the body of the guitar.

If I want it flat, I go to the back of the guitar and tighten the screws attached to the vibrato claw so the springs pull the bridge tight to the front of the guitar.

If I want it floating, I loosen those spring tensioning screws a little until the bridge is floating and I can pull up on the vibtrato and raise the strings up to the pitch I want.

When I have that figured out, I move to the six screws that hold the bridge baseplate to the front of the guitar: I back out the middle four screws so that the underside of thier heads are not touching the top surface of the bridge.

Then I adjust the two outside screws until I get the bridge baseplate where I want it and so it returns in tune. You might want to just leave it that way....with the middle four screws raised slightly compared to the two on the ends. It seems to return to pitch more accurately.

( Notice that the underside of the bridge baseplate is ground to a bevel on the bottem edge under the six screws. If you tighten those screws down tight you'll **** the baseplate on an angle...so don't do that! )

I tinker with the two outside screws and screws that adjust the tension of the springs on the back of the guitar and play one of of the other until I'm semi satisfied...it's never perfect.

That's not the only way to adjust a Strat vibrato but it works for me.

Lew

 

[Biu]

Re: Setting up a Fender Strat Vibrato...

Awesome, Lew. I might have to try that on my SX

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Setting up a Fender Strat Vibrato...

Awesome, Lew. I might have to try that on my SX

If you elect to go the floating route..You want 1/8" to 3/32" between the bottom back of the bridge and the body....Also,while looking at the bridge from the side,you should almost be perfectly straight across on the bridge.(This is pretty much the way fender has done this and still does on stock strats).If you need more upward pull on your bridge(Loosen the claw screws)if you want the rear of the bridge closer to the body or on it(Tighten the claw screws) I kind of do what Lew does and I also use "Nut Sauce" around the bridge,saddles,and within the nut grooves to make sure my strings don't hang up and keep my strings sharp after dipping the vibrato..There are lots of quirks to overcome on a strat but they are still great guitars to play...There are lots of ways to adjust your strat and it's really one of the few instruments that you can keep messing with until you come up with something that is yours! :13: I own like 6 now! :smack:

 

[Norman_T]

Re: Setting up a Fender Strat Vibrato...

Lew and John,

You two guys ought to put this sort of stuff on the Vault, because this is so brilliant and would help/assist a lot of guys who want this sort of information. Otherwise what happens is that this thread gets lost and someone in a couple of weeks will ask this sort of question again and again etc. Of course a lot of people do not use the search function as well. If my memory serves me correctly on the old forum there used to be hints and tips on this and other stuff.

Is there anyway that this can be put on the Vault by the admins?

Norman

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Setting up a Fender Strat Vibrato...

Lew and John,

You two guys ought to put this sort of stuff on the Vault, because this is so brilliant and would help/assist a lot of guys who want this sort of information. Otherwise what happens is that this thread gets lost and someone in a couple of weeks will ask this sort of question again and again etc. Of course a lot of people do not use the search function as well. If my memory serves me correctly on the old forum there used to be hints and tips on this and other stuff.

Is there anyway that this can be put on the Vault by the admins?

Norman

Norman..I'm noticing that the stuff I did have in the vault is gone? Sure it could be posted in there..Wondering why it's all gone now? :32:

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Setting up a Fender Strat Vibrato...

Lew and John,

You two guys ought to put this sort of stuff on the Vault, because this is so brilliant and would help/assist a lot of guys who want this sort of information. Otherwise what happens is that this thread gets lost and someone in a couple of weeks will ask this sort of question again and again etc. Of course a lot of people do not use the search function as well. If my memory serves me correctly on the old forum there used to be hints and tips on this and other stuff.

Is there anyway that this can be put on the Vault by the admins?

Norman

Thanks Norman, That'd be a first for me. John has had a few posts "vaulted". Lew

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Setting up a Fender Strat Vibrato...

Thanks Norman, That'd be a first for me. John has had a few posts "vaulted". Lew

Hello buddy...I was just over at the vault and noticed my stuff is gone? I was trying to send a forum member the info on replacing humbucker magnets,but when I went over there to grab a link....GONE? :smack: :32:

John

 

[Marinblues]

Re: Setting up a Fender Strat Vibrato...

http://www.mrgearhead.net/faq/stratsetup.html

Tremolo

Stratocasters can be found with four distinctive types of bridges. The most well known bridge is the vintage style "synchronized" tremolo. The other three are the American Standard bridge, which is a modern-day two-pivot bridge, the non-tremolo hardtail bridge, and the locking tremolo such as the American Deluxe or Floyd Rose® locking tremolos. If you have a non-tremolo "hardtail" bridge, proceed to Intonation (Roughing it out). If you have a locking tremolo bridge click here.

First, remove the tremolo back cover. Check your tuning. Let’s start with a vintage style tremolo bridge. Here’s a great tip to enhance the performance of this bridge: Using your tremolo arm, pull the bridge back flush with the body. Loosen all six screws located at the front edge of the bridge plate. Raise them so that all of the screws measure approximately 1/16" above the top of the bridge plate. Finally, tighten the two outside screws back down until they are flush with the top of the bridge plate. The bridge will now pivot on the outside screws, leaving the four inside screws in place for bridge stability. For a two-pivot bridge like the American Standard bridge use your tremolo arm to pull the bridge back flush with the body and adjust the two pivot screws to the point where the tremolo plate sits entirely flush at the body (not lifted at the front or back of the plate).

Allowing the bridge to float freely (no tension on the tremolo arm) using the claw screws in the tremolo cavity, adjust the bridge to your desired angle (Fender spec. is 1/8" gap at rear of bridge). You will need to retune periodically to get the right balance between the strings and the springs. If you prefer a flush bridge to body, adjust spring tension to equal string tension, while the bridge rests on body (you may want to put an extra 1/2 turn to each claw screw to ensure that the bridge remains flush to the body during string bends). Caution: Do not over-tighten the springs as it can put unnecessary tension on the arm during tremolo use. Finally, you may wish to apply a small dab of Chapstick® or Vaseline® at the pivot contact points of the bridge for a very smooth operation.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Setting up a Fender Strat Vibrato...

And don't forget to re intonate the saddles after doing ANYTHING to the springs or truss rod. The slightest tweak can throw your intonation off, making tuning a real headache. If your guitar seems to go outta tune a lot, or sounds sour on any chord across the neck, you need to check the intonation.

One question for you guys....I see springs on the back set in a variety of ways, from 3 straight, 5 straight, a few straight and a few angled. Is there a proper way to put the springs in, and is there any advantage to making the tension higher on the trembar side of the bridge? Also, do you guys have any tricks for putting springs in?. It's difficult with your fingers, and risky doing it with plyers that close to the finish.

 

[brisk]

Re: Setting up a Fender Strat Vibrato...

Would you guys mind if I post these info on a website I am working on now?

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Setting up a Fender Strat Vibrato...

One question for you guys....I see springs on the back set in a variety of ways, from 3 straight, 5 straight, a few straight and a few angled. Is there a proper way to put the springs in, and is there any advantage to making the tension higher on the trembar side of the bridge? Also, do you guys have any tricks for putting springs in?. It's difficult with your fingers, and risky doing it with plyers that close to the finish.

Jonsey...I think I read in Dan Erlwines book that he used to think that having the springs running straight was the best method (with 3 or fewer springs), but found that angling them in towards the center actually helps focus the pivot point (or something like that). I'll have to look it up.

As for putting the spring in there are 2 options. I hook the loop end on the claw first. I use needle nose pliers with a good set of teeth. If I'm holding them in my right hand so that my thumb is pointing up (normal), then turn my hand 45 degree's to the right so my palm is up, and grab the joint on the other end and pull the spring to the trem block. I get less slippage that way.

Option 2 is Stewmac sells a tool for about $5 that has a little hook that you grab the straight end of the spring with to pull to the trem block. Like a dentist cleaning tool made into a box shape..specially designed for the job. I'll probably buy one of those.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Setting up a Fender Strat Vibrato...

PS....On my vintage style bridges I like them flat agains't the body with just enough tension to remain flat during double stop bends, but just loose enough to allow fairly easy downward trem/vibrato ala SRV in Lenny. 2 point bridges work better in my experience floating at about 1/8".

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Setting up a Fender Strat Vibrato...

Here's a related recommendation:

For those of you guys wanting to improve your strat's tuning stability without drilling holes or changing the tone too much, check out Gotoh's vintage replacement height adjustable magnum locking tuners. The look identical to vintage tuners except the tuning post, have a modern gear ratio, and don't add a bunch of weight to the headstock, changing the neck's resonant peak. They also stay in tune very well and slot into existing vintage slots with no mods.

 

[guitarzzan]

Re: Setting up a Fender Strat Vibrato...

OK, you're obviously an experienced Strat man Sir. Maybe, hopefully I should say, you can help me with my 2012 Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster disaster. I started off trying to get my action lowered, which is relatively easy as I've done it on my '05 Fender AmDel Telecaster at the 6 individual bridge height adjustment allan key screws. I'd like to hard-tail this Strat as I never use a whammy bar, but ran into difficulties with the tapered bridge. I could easily jam something into the cavity to disable the tremolo completely, but like I mentioned, it's tapered, so it ain't as easy as they say with this. I'd like to jut get her back to the floating tremolo, or anyway actually. Should I put on the new strings first? Any suggestions would be appreciated. The internet explains how to do it, but they're very vague, and tended to miss out a lot of steps it seems. Any good web-sites/links or good books to purchase that could assist me in getting this beauty Strat back up 'n running? Thank you either way Sir.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Setting up a Fender Strat Vibrato...

Welcome to the forum!

Unfortunately, if you look at the last post date, this thread happens to be from more than 10 years ago, and if you look at the OPs account info, it doesn't appear to be an active account (though I often hear Lew is/was a well respected member - before my time).

You might search for this topic looking for a more recent thread where all the posters are still active, or you may have to ask this specific question as a new thread.