Need advices on tremolo bridge adjustment!

Pick909 · November 16, 2015 at 12:18 AM

I have a custom super strat with a classic two post tremolo bridge. I would like to have the smoothest easiest tension and feel as possible so what is the rule?

Less stiff springs or more soft springs? Because if I put soft springs I will have to tense them more so at the end what is the difference?

Thanks for your inputs!

Kempermaniac · November 16, 2015 at 7:15 AM

How much springs are in there? If three, try two. Try different positions too, like: | | or \ /
But I think that the tension is not only related to the springs. It has something to do with string gauge and scale length too (and who knows what else).

digbob · November 16, 2015 at 10:56 AM

theres a video from carl verheyen
how to setup a regular Strat Trem, this works like charm and stays in tune
the only way i got a Trem tow work as it should
try it

Pick909 · November 16, 2015 at 3:19 PM

I had three springs and tried to keep only two in paralell and it's a lot better. I don't have real problems to stay in tune but I'm looking for the easiest and smoothest feel. The trem is a Hipshot so not bad at all.

I'll check the video for sure!

Thanks guys!

Pick909 · November 16, 2015 at 3:35 PM

Quote from digbob

theres a video from carl verheyen
how to setup a regular Strat Trem, this works like charm and stays in tune
the only way i got a Trem tow work as it should
try it

Thanks digbob! This video is a must see for everyones! It's sooo easy and it works perfectly. I use only two springs and it's amazing! Exactly what I was looking for!

dpavel · November 17, 2015 at 12:45 PM

Any link to the video ?

dpavel · November 17, 2015 at 12:46 PM

Please

digbob · November 17, 2015 at 12:59 PM

here

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Pick909 · November 17, 2015 at 2:35 PM

It really works! Both my traditional tremolo guitars now stay in tune and are smooth as a floyd!

Ingolf · November 17, 2015 at 6:19 PM

Quote from digbob

here

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Awesome, thanks!

tntent · November 17, 2015 at 10:52 PM

very cool. Setup Trick and lesson all in one!

Kempermaniac · November 24, 2015 at 10:53 AM

Guys, I can't get this Verheyen thing to work on my Music Man Luke II, which has a vintage vibrato as well. I can get the G-string exactly a minor third up to A# when bending upwards, but then C# and F on the B- and e-string are way too sharp. Or I can get exactly the F on the e-string, but then C# and A# on B- and G-string are flat. I've tried a lot for about two hours yesterday, including springs in different positions, but I'm running out of ideas now...

Any suggestions?

digbob · November 24, 2015 at 11:44 AM

did you angel the spring claw in different degrees ?
this is the key to get the right tuning
i use 10 to 46 strings three springs and it works

Kempermaniac · November 24, 2015 at 11:56 AM

I've angled the hell out of the claw, believe me. I use 9 to 42 strings and three springs as well.

Pick909 · November 24, 2015 at 1:33 PM

While it works perfectly well on my Strat and my super Strat (both with two posts trem) it doesn't work as well on my PRS which already has a very good tremollo system that seems to work better set paralell to the top of the body. Musicman guitars are probably in a similar boat.

Kempermaniac · November 24, 2015 at 1:39 PM

Two posts? Does that mean the bridge is fixed with two screws? If yes, the Luke's bridge is fixed with two screws as well.

I guess what I'm looking for is a correct starting point for adjusting the claw. Or maybe it's simply impossible to have correct up-bending intervals on all three strings at the same time.

digbob · November 24, 2015 at 1:45 PM

maybe the neck length is diff to a std strat
and the tension of the strings is diff because of that
this could be the problem

Pick909 · November 24, 2015 at 1:52 PM

Maybe the gauge of the strings is the culprit? I use 10-46 on my guitars and I have no problems to get the three intervals correct in the same time...

Pick909 · November 24, 2015 at 1:55 PM

Quote from digbob

maybe the neck length is diff to a std strat
and the tension of the strings is diff because of that
this could be the problem

Yes, possibly! The gauge, 22 vs 24 frets, and the scale of a strat is 25.5, PRS 25 and Musicman I don't know.

Kempermaniac · November 24, 2015 at 1:58 PM

Yeah, could be. Don't know about the neck length of the Luke but the scale lenght is 25-1/2" (64.8 cm), which is the same as a strat (I guess). Frets there are 22.

To be clear regarding the "correct starting point" I've mentioned above: A starting point could be to leave the claw parallel at the beginning and first bring the bridge to a position where you can bend the G-string up to A# (or the B-string to C# or the e-string to F) and then start to angle the claw. But I don't know if this could be a correct starting point and if it is with which string to start. Or am I wrong and it must be another starting point?