Re: stratocaster setups
Getting tuning stability on a 6 screw trem can be hard depending on the quality of the hardware and nut. Make sure the nut doesn't bind (this is most of the battle IMO) and then you can use graphite lube on the string tree and a little in the notches on the saddle.
I use 3 springs going from the 3 middle hooks on the trem claw to the two outer holes and the middle hole on the block. 3 springs seems to work great for 9s and 10s. 2 springs can work for 9s but it's been forever since I tried that combo.
The trem, when set up to fender's guide, pivots on the 2 outer screws. Slack the strings and push down on the bridge until the trem sits flat on the body. Raise all 6 screws until they're about 1/16" above the bridge plate (or high enough that when the bridge gets to it's final angle, the plate doesn't hit the screw heads). Lower the 2 outside screws until the screw head just barely sits flush with the top of the bridge plate. Tune to pitch and then adjust the trem claw to give 1/8" of clearance between the back of the bridge plate and the body. Work the trem claw in small increments, tuning to pitch each time. Your trem should float nice and free.
Still, it's pretty hard to get a vintage trem to do dive bombs, I dunno if it was meant for that.
Then I set my relief to nearly none, action to fender specs, and then intonation, and then lastly pickup height. My pickups are a lot lower than fender spec, I like a clear, airy sound without too much midrange.
