Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Tech => Topic started by: lifted on May 23, 2006, 03:49:58 AM

Title: Tremolo Springs
Post by: lifted on May 23, 2006, 03:49:58 AM

Hi, I have a traditional strat tremolo bridge , which came with 3 springs in it. and 09s on it. When i took it to a guitar tech to set it up for 10s strings, he added on two more trem springs.  now i can't even do subtle tremolo movement like  on Lenny or Surf stuff without Standing on the bar.  Is it o.k to remove the extra two springs with 10s. and sometimes 11s? or are there more low tension springs on the market?  Also, if I can still just use three, do I do the triangle shaped config?  I have seen this and other configs, like a space between two and so forth, I just can't remember which way to point the triangle) ie. Bridge as base of triangle or  the other way around? please Help, my Irish tours are coming in the mail, and I want to play Lenny without having to lay my whole body on the trem bar!  Thanks in advance, Lifted

Title: Trem
Post by: lifted on May 23, 2006, 04:05:40 AM

You see I have seen pictures of Stevie Ray's Number one, and it has five springs, but I know he used 13s.  And I know he didn't have to lay on the bar!  Is it just a matter of how far in the trem plate screws are screwed in?  I still want  the bridge to be flush, or almost ,with the body to stay in tune.  No EVH dive bombs here, although it would be nice if I could yank it sharp to stay in tune. But mostly  I need more looseness in the bar.

Title: Tremolo Springs
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on May 23, 2006, 04:09:51 AM

You don't need 5 springs on the trem if you're using 10s on your gtr!
I use 10s on all my guitars, with Floyd Rose bridges, and I only use 3 springs.

Title: thanks
Post by: lifted on May 23, 2006, 05:03:33 AM

thanks, Twilight,  While I was waiting for an answer I tinkered and just left three  springs and messed with the screws, and it's a lot looser.  I also pointeed the triangle as base of bridge as the base, and the point toward headstock.  does that sound right?  I also put some plumbers thread tape on the arm threads  to  cure the wobble, which I got from a recent tech forum post.  Voila!  you guys are great help. :)

Title: Tremolo Springs
Post by: lifted on May 23, 2006, 05:09:08 AM

Wow, Twilight, you are either up early or late, your time.  It's still monday  11:00  P.M. Here! ( Florida USA )Glad you were up.

Title: Tremolo Springs
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on May 23, 2006, 03:51:49 PM

Hehe. I'm not big on 'sleeping'. PDT_008

Title: Tremolo Springs
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on May 23, 2006, 03:56:05 PM

3 springs should be fine

It annoys me that some techs reach for extra springs at the slightest provocation

The spring retaining plate may need a little tightening to keep the trem level in the desired position

As ever it is all about balancing the tensions in the springs and the strings - a bit like balancing a set of weighing scales

Title: Tremolo Springs
Post by: lifted on May 23, 2006, 06:07:05 PM

Thanks, guys for your help

Title: Tremolo Springs
Post by: lifted on May 24, 2006, 04:27:01 PM

How about which way to line those three up for best tuning stability?, i.e.  sprng/skip/sprng/skip/spring in a strait line, or the triangular shape?  in other words which way do you pros at Feline, and all you other pros do it?   Thanks  one more time.      Lifted

Title: Tremolo Springs
Post by: PhilKing on May 24, 2006, 05:04:37 PM

If you put them in a triangle you have more resistance as the diagonal springs are longer.  A lot of people do put them like this though.  It depends, I have some guitars where I put a battery in the spring compartment (for EMG or Preamp power).  When I do this I put 2 springs on the bass side and one on the treble and the battery fits inbetween.  On others I have one bass, one middle and one treble.

Title: Tremolo Springs
Post by: lifted on May 24, 2006, 05:15:20 PM

So more resistance meaning harder to push the whammy bar down, right? thanks for your quick reply, PHIl KING!

Title: Tremolo Springs
Post by: PhilKing on May 24, 2006, 05:21:45 PM

Yes, it means that it is a bit stiffer.  Depending on the gauge of strings, it might be better than going to 4 springs, but with 10's 3 is plenty and it is just what you feel comfortable with as to whether you do all parallel or the triangle shape (it is easy to change to check it).

Title: Tremolo Springs
Post by: lifted on May 24, 2006, 09:11:57 PM

Thanks so much for all the help.  Lifted

Title: Tremolo Springs
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on May 24, 2006, 09:29:48 PM

Quote from: lifted

How about which way to line those three up for best tuning stability?, i.e.  sprng/skip/sprng/skip/spring in a strait line, or the triangular shape?  in other words which way do you pros at Feline, and all you other pros do it?   Thanks  one more time.      Lifted

With 3 springs i do it like this:

Title: Tremolo Springs
Post by: lifted on May 24, 2006, 09:41:52 PM

Thanks Feline, that's what i redid mine as last night.  I will further tweak it and I already have a tremendous difference in the whammy play.  The main difference is   I CAN USE IT AGAIN! :lol:   Thanks, guys you are always great help  Just an aside,   I GET MY FIRST SET of Bare Knuckles Tommorrow!  Stoked!  Two ITs and A nailbomb in a Strat Copy.  Just trying to get that baby ready for em!  Cheers, Lifted