Tremolo Spring Noise

[Guitar Toad]

When I play unplugged, the unwound strings hit a resonance frequency that makes the tremolo springs ring. Especially since I don't use the trem right now, I'm thinking of putting some foam or cloth in the back of the guitar to muffle the springs. I don't see a problem with doing this. It seems to be a no-brainer easy fix.

Or I could dip the springs and rubber coat them with the stuff you can get in a can from the hardware store. Hmm?

Does anyone else do something like this?

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Tremolo Spring Noise

Do it...that´s the way it´s been done for ages...

I superglue half of a Duncan foam inlay (from PUP boxes) to the trem cover of all my guitars

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Tremolo Spring Noise

I rather like the sound

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Tremolo Spring Noise

I rather like the sound

You and Clapton both! Even though EC keeps the bar blocked, he won't play a hardtail Strat...he says that the ringing is part of the charm!

I dig it too...but I do use the tremolo!

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Tremolo Spring Noise

You and Clapton both! Even though EC keeps the bar blocked, he won't play a hardtail Strat...he says that the ringing is part of the charm!

I dig it too...but I do use the tremolo!

I guess I could get used to it, if I wanted to. It's not a big deal. But, I'm gonna go ahead an muffle 'em in mine.

Eric Claptons a little peuliar about his strats isn't he? why wouldn't he just order a hard tail with a trem spaced bridge? That sounds like the makings of a signature great strat.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Tremolo Spring Noise

... why wouldn't he just order a hard tail with a trem spaced bridge? That sounds like the makings of a signature great strat.

Because he likes the natural reverb that the springs create..... Oh, He HAS a Signature strat, btw

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Tremolo Spring Noise

I guess I could get used to it, if I wanted to. It's not a big deal. But, I'm gonna go ahead an muffle 'em in mine.

Eric Claptons a little peuliar about his strats isn't he? why wouldn't he just order a hard tail with a trem spaced bridge? That sounds like the makings of a signature great strat.

the spacing from tremolo to hardtail is the same...he just likes the springs ringing in the back...

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Tremolo Spring Noise

Because he likes the natural reverb that the springs create..... Oh, He HAS a Signature strat, btw

Does he like 5 springs with his blocked trem? I'll have to experiment and listen closely to see if I can discern the tonal difference with the reverbrating springs.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Tremolo Spring Noise

Does he like 5 springs with his blocked trem? I'll have to experiment and listen closely to see if I can discern the tonal difference with the reverbrating springs.

Yes...if you buy an EC Strat or look at Eric's personal strats they have 5 springs and the claw pulled all the way in, then a block of wood (most of the signature EC;s I have seen have maple) hammered in place between the tremolo block and the body.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Tremolo Spring Noise

Yep, same setup as my Custom Dinky (sans hardwood block, which is IMO overkill on a V-trem)

 

[tone4days]

Re: Tremolo Spring Noise

the foam ( or similarly, a strip of cloth) trick is standard if you want to kill those vibrations ....

does that sound come through the amp? or is it only hearable when you are unplugged?

t4d

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Tremolo Spring Noise

the foam ( or similarly, a strip of cloth) trick is standard if you want to kill those vibrations ....

does that sound come through the amp? or is it only hearable when you are unplugged?

t4d

Just through when un-plugged, not through the amp. It's not really a problem, more of a curiosity. I think a piece of a Hendrix (but not a Clapton) T-shirt would be a great solution...if I only had one to use.

 

[Stringmachine]

Re: Tremolo Spring Noise

Stuff it with either foam or paper. Everybody and their grandma does it so why not?

 

[Rich_T]

Re: Tremolo Spring Noise

It comes through the amp with me, I lost the backplate to my strat too, so i cant stop it.

I put the foam in the back of my wolfgang though, i dont see why its not standard practice. Especially on a metal guitar like this where people are going to be doing a lot of stop-start stuff with heavy gain, you just can't have this big BRANGGG after every riff.

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Tremolo Spring Noise

It comes through the amp with me, I lost the backplate to my strat too, so i cant stop it.

I put the foam in the back of my wolfgang though, i dont see why its not standard practice. Especially on a metal guitar like this where people are going to be doing a lot of stop-start stuff with heavy gain, you just can't have this big BRANGGG after every riff.

ya, I see where the sound could come through with high output pups. You can get a new cover from Warmoth or wherever. They ain't that expensive.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Tremolo Spring Noise

Even on my highgainer guitars I have nothing, I like the life of it.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Tremolo Spring Noise

It comes through the amp with me, I lost the backplate to my strat too, so i cant stop it.....

Yes you can: Wedge the foam between the springs and the cavity