Author Topic: Trem Questions (Read 4852 times)

Guitarzan · « **on:** May 16, 2006, 04:26:02 AM »

Hello everybody, Just have a few questions regarding my new Strat. It's a Squier standard with an Athagis body, rosewood fretboard, and a great clean sound! It sounds just as good as our bands' bassists Highway One, but I'll get into that in another thread.

Basically I got this guitar to modify the cr@p out of. I plan to re-fret with Dunlop 6000's and possibly scallop the neck. But my question for you guy's is what to do about the trem. Right now it is equiped with a bridge mounted on two pole pieces which raise it about an 1/8in above the body. Is it possible to lower the bridge so that I can only bend a note down? Right now it is very sensitive, and I really don't care much about bending up. Would it be possible to drill holes and lower the pivot points, or better to install a small stop block? Personally I'd prefer to lower the bridge's pivot points, and I have no desire to ever bend a note up, I'm only interested in dive bombs :twisted: .

Any advice would be appriciated.

Afghan Dave · « **Reply #1 on:** May 16, 2006, 04:51:35 AM »

Here the best advice I can give:

De-tune the strings to take the tension off - Then use the correct allen key to lower that trem right to the body.

Bring back up to pitch and check the spring tension at the back is correct, if not - tighten the screws till the back plate of the trem is flat against the body.

Raise saddle heights of the individual strings to return some action over the fretboard.

Lower your pickups!

Intonate your trem with a good tuner..

Give it a play!

You should be fine doing this but I'd suggest you wait to see if this board erupts to contradict me - we've got some great luthiers on here so...

BTW - I've got a Dunlop 6000 re-fret on my Strat and it is wonderful.

Should all else fail - order a Tremol-No - http://www.tremol-no.com/default.asp

Good luck[/i]

Searcher · « **Reply #2 on:** May 16, 2006, 06:56:59 AM »

What Dave said makes sense. You can also add springs if you need more tension.

If you feel like upgrading the trem entirely, I've heard good things about Callaham trem systems for Strats. Check out the link: Callaham Guitars

R/2e · « **Reply #3 on:** May 16, 2006, 08:11:00 AM »

one thing I'd add to Dave's post which is spot on - your saddles already look pretty high, so if you do as Dave suggests and then find you have insufficient adjustment in the saddles, you may have to shim the neck. In this case a shim at the front of the pocket (ie headstock end not body end) will be required, a thin piece of card should be enough cut to fit between the screws and the end of the body. It's unusual to have to shim in this way, but not unknown.

Guitarzan · « **Reply #4 on:** May 17, 2006, 12:20:55 AM »

Thanx Guy's. I totally didn't realize that i could lower the bridge that way :oops: . Thanx Dave for the advice, It worked until I got to the tightening the screws part. Apparently one of them was already stripped and when I tightened it, it just made it worse. Also before I did that, when I retuned the bridge still rose up about an 1/8th of an inch. Even after tightening it barely lowered it. Looks like I'll need another spring or two. How many are usually on the guitar? This one came with only 2. So I'll tell you guys how it goes after I go get some replacement parts!

Thanx again!

Afghan Dave · « **Reply #5 on:** May 17, 2006, 12:36:09 AM »

Glad to hear you are nearly there..

Why not bang an extra light set of strings on until you get your springs and give it a play.

You could also tune down a half step with your normal strings and give some early Van Halen a try :lol:

Guitarzan · « **Reply #6 on:** May 17, 2006, 12:55:13 AM »

I forgot to mention that it already had a card in the neck slot. Well not really card but a thick piece of 80 grit sand paper. How much of a difference to the neck does the card really make?

Quote from: Afghan Dave

You could also tune down a half step with your normal strings and give some early Van Halen a try :lol:

Dave, why do you think I was only interested in divebombs? :twisted:

Guitarzan · « **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2006, 12:19:45 AM »

Well problem solved 8) . I got the springs and the claw screws today, and just popped them in. as it turns out I only need 3 springs, so it is not too too hard to dive bomb :twisted: . Thanx for all the info, I'll probably post again about the frets. Where did you get yours Dave? The closest I can get are some from Stew Mac, but I'd like to order the precut ones from Dunlop.

Thanx a ton again!
Joe

Afghan Dave · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2006, 12:33:41 AM »

Good news there then.

Are you thinking of doing the re-fret yourself?

I don't want to underestimate your skills but my advice is DO NOT TRY THIS ALONE!

Jonathan at Feline guitars (London) did mine and a perfect result was assured.

If you are not an experienced technician I would stay well away from a job like this. Find an experienced luthier.

Put a little money into getting a professional result and you'll have a great guitar but if you want to cut every corner you can look forward to a gouged out plank.

All the best

Guitarzan · « **Reply #9 on:** May 18, 2006, 04:42:37 AM »

Yeah, I plan on doing it meself.

I originally bought the guitar for just this purpose, to use as a guide for improving my repaif skills. I am pretty good with my hands, and fixing up the guitar seemed almost second nature to me.

If i mess up the neck, I'll just order one from Warmoth, I had originally planned to buy one, but then modifying my own seemed a much better way to learn.

Soon as I get the money, I'm going to redo the electronics side, and in go some hefty pickups! :twisted:

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #10 on:** May 18, 2006, 10:09:23 AM »

For good tips and stuff for a DIY fretjob look here
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies.html