Strats . . . 3 spring vs. 5 spring trems.

[SirJackdeFuzz II]

This might be the most amateurish question of the day, so please do excuse my ignorance.
From your experience, do you feel (hear) that there is a difference in the clean tone between a Strat set up with 3 springs vs. the same Start set up with 5 springs in the trem system ?

Thanks.

 

[Mincer]

I can't hear it. But I don't like the way a trem works with 5.

 

[ICTGoober]

I hear no difference between number of springs. However - the number of springs obviously determines the action of the vibrato system. On a Fender derived system, I like to set them up with 2 springs, full floating. I find them more responsive that way.

 

[solspirit]

Never heard a difference.

 

[GuitarStv]

I don't hear a difference, but I prefer 3 springs to 5 for feel of the trem when you're using it. 5 is good if you want to deck the trem and use it as a hardtail.

 

[solspirit]

I don't hear a difference, but I prefer 3 springs to 5 for feel of the trem when you're using it. 5 is good if you want to deck the trem and use it as a hardtail.

I do on some.

 

[Spaghetti Bolo]

On a Fender derived system, I like to set them up with 2 springs, full floating. I find them more responsive that way.

I settled on just 2 springs also. I'm of the (totally unscientifically founded) opinion that fewer springs are more stable.

 

[Chistopher]

I settled on just 2 springs also. I'm of the (totally unscientifically founded) opinion that fewer springs are more stable.

More tension is more stable provided the neck is also stable. On thinner necks less tension is more stable.

I can hear a slight difference in the sympathetic vibration of the springs on occasion if I am playing unplugged, but it doesn't go through the pickups

 

[GuitarStv]

More tension is more stable provided the neck is also stable. On thinner necks less tension is more stable.

I can hear a slight difference in the sympathetic vibration of the springs on occasion if I am playing unplugged, but it doesn't go through the pickups

I usually jam some foam inside the springs to kill sympathetic vibration. I'll take my 'verb from the amp, not the guitar thank you very much.

 

[marcello252]

I usually put enough springs to make the bridge flat on body when in tune (so the trem works only in detuning and if I break a string it remains tuned), not more, generally 3 is enough

 

[SirJackdeFuzz II]

I can't hear it. But I don't like the way a trem works with 5.

. . . too tight ?

 

[Mincer]

. . . too tight ?

It becomes not effective/non-workable as a vibrato system.

 

[beaubrummels]

I can hear a difference. It's slight. But having a tighter connection to that anchor in the body seems to affect something in the sustain and/or tone IME.

 

[Chistopher]

As far as sustain goes, I've only noticed a difference with fully floating or down-only. Granted I have never actively tested sustain as related to pressure of the bridge on the body

 

[Sirion]

I settled on just 2 springs also. I'm of the (totally unscientifically founded) opinion that fewer springs are more stable.

This has been my anecdotal observation as well. It seems to fly in the face of Internet convention, but there you have it.

 

[jeremy]

if the trem is floating, then its a balance between the string tension and spring tension. not sure why more or less would be differently stable, but there is a difference in feel for sure

 

[GuitarStv]

if the trem is floating, then its a balance between the string tension and spring tension. not sure why more or less would be differently stable, but there is a difference in feel for sure

I was surprised how different they feel. Going from 3 to 4 springs is way stiffer when using the trem. Going to 5 springs is almost unusable for me.

 

[Chistopher]

if the trem is floating, then its a balance between the string tension and spring tension. not sure why more or less would be differently stable, but there is a difference in feel for sure

On a floating setup, the more tension on the strings you have the more spring tension you need to counter balance. Heavier strings require more force to move the bridge and it's more likely to overcome friction points along the string, keeping it in tune better. Lighter strings however have a wider range when using the whammy bar.

 

[Mincer]

I was surprised how different they feel. Going from 3 to 4 springs is way stiffer when using the trem. Going to 5 springs is almost unusable for me.

Usually, people who use 5 don't want the bridge to move at all. In fact, I've never seen a trem user use 5.

 

[jeremy]

On a floating setup, the more tension on the strings you have the more spring tension you need to counter balance. Heavier strings require more force to move the bridge and it's more likely to overcome friction points along the string, keeping it in tune better. Lighter strings however have a wider range when using the whammy bar.

if you want your trem to stay in tune, you mitigate those friction points as best you can. i dont think the range changes, you are limited by the limits of the trem itself, you might have to work harder with heavier strings/more spring tension, but i think the range is basically the same