What's up with my strat bridge?

S

Stratovarious

New member
Hey guys

Basically, my strat copy has a vintage style Wilkinson bridge (with the staggered string holes) and when I try to dive it, it has a very small range, the low e string still has a fair bit of tension, i'd say it only goes down 5-6 steps if that, and that's with the bar fully depressed.

I'm aiming for proper dive bomb sort of range where the strings are basically pitchless

I've tried adjusting the tension springs, to no avail.

Any help? Is it just a design flaw of this bridge possibly?
 
Re: What's up with my strat bridge?

Well, if the bar is fully depressed then by definition you won't be getting any more out of it.

The only possibility short of getting another guitar (or bridge) is to buy a bar (or bend your existing one) so that the arm sits at a more upward angle. That way it will be able to go further before bottoming out on the body.
 
Re: What's up with my strat bridge?

It could be that, this bridge has a huge steel block. I took a gander, and it didn't seem to be touching the cavity. Would loosening the mounting screws achieve anything?
 
Re: What's up with my strat bridge?

Mounting screws? Are you talking about the 6 that sit at the front of a vintage Strat trem, or the ones that hold the spring claw in the back?
 
Re: What's up with my strat bridge?

Yes the six . I'm pretty new to messing around with my guitars so if its a preposterous idea I apologise
 
Re: What's up with my strat bridge?

If it's those screws, then they are not intended to be screwed down hard if you want your trem floating, as it sounds like you might do. I can't remember the exact setup off the top of my head, but there is supposed to be a little play between the screws and the bridge. Check the link in my sig on guitar setups - it may be in there, otherwise try a Google on the topic, there must be hundreds of guides out there to follow.
 
Re: What's up with my strat bridge?

Which exact model of Wilkinson fulcrum vibrato is under discussion? Some have pretty much the same range as a traditional Fender design. Some two-point models go a little further. The VS50 and 100 get close to Floyd Rose double locking vibrato capabilities.

Leave the big sustain block in there. Reason one - it is a major boon to tone and sustain. Reason two - nothing else will line up with the offset stringing holes any how.
 
Re: What's up with my strat bridge?

I wouldn't take the block out , this guitar sounds great . Was just wondering incase there is any fix . I think its the WVC bridge
 
Re: What's up with my strat bridge?

Stratovarious said:
Hey guys

Basically, my strat copy has a vintage style Wilkinson bridge (with the staggered string holes) and when I try to dive it
Click to expand...

I've highlighted your problem.

You need a superstrat with a locking trem that was meant for dive bombing.
 
Re: What's up with my strat bridge?

Mr. B said:
I've highlighted your problem.

You need a superstrat with a locking trem that was meant for dive bombing.
Click to expand...

I can understand that, but aside from divebombing, what really irritates me is how this has changed the actual dynamic of my whammying technique. For instance, every movement you may make on a normal strat bridge (which I have obviously experienced) requires exaggeration on my bridge, so if I wanted to go down a step or two, I have to push much harder than if I were playing a normal strat. In respect to that technique, I mostly use it to accent notes and maybe add some chromaticism to lead runs.

Ah well I suppose it can't be helped. I do love this guitar though

It's one of those Vintage V6 Icons. I wasn't really looking at them but then played one in a store and was blown away...I advocate these for sure...the bridge pickup isn't overly bright and the neck pickup is just delicious no matter what tone you're playing it with
 
Re: What's up with my strat bridge?

If you want more range....

The cavity for the block needs to be routed further back....
Old school vibrators never had more range than this, and Eddies strat was non floating as well.
That or this....
Tremolo%20Blocks.jpg

But since it is Wilkinson/Gotoh...well yeah you could prolly grind alittle off it though...if you wanna go that way.
 
Last edited:
Re: What's up with my strat bridge?

Stratovarious said:
Fair enough guys fair enough.

I heard Eddie Van Halen do it once or twice back in the 70's :(

lol
Click to expand...

EVH did a lot of mods to his guitar....routing may well have been one of them. He also ditched the vintage trem pretty quick smart when he needed tuning reliability.
 
Re: What's up with my strat bridge?

How many springs are on the trem? The less you use, the more responsive it will be.
 
Re: What's up with my strat bridge?

It's one of two things:
  • Block hits the back of the cavity. You can easily see this. If it does you can remove some wood or get a differently shaped block, or possibly a trem that moves the block forward. Can you post a picture?
  • The 6 screws holding it are tightly screwed down. As mentioned, don't do that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top