A mate of mine that plays electric mostly was laid up in bed battling cancer, and I gave him my second OOO so he could have something to play without having to struggle with a heavy electric, and amps etc. were just too much for him to handle. Well, being a proud man that wasn't use to having anyone do anything for him without something in return, he gave me a Fender Strat. It's very nice guitar, but it just won't stay in tune if you use the tremolo at all. He told me that this had been a problem with this guitar from the get go, and hoped that I'd be able to fix it and enjoy using it. I'd like to get it fixed up and give it back to him, as I'm pretty sure he will get far more use out of it than I ever would.
I've read that this is a common problem with them, and I was wondering if any of you electric gurus know how to go about fixing them? There's room for a couple more springs if that is a possible fix.
Stratocaster tuning problem
Allen, first port of call is to replace the springs with new ones, I would just load it up with three fresh springs and see how it goes. If you need to add another couple do so the if required. You may also want to check the spring retainer plate is screwed back enough to load the springs when relaxed.
Cheers
Kim
Cheers
Kim
There are fixes for this kind of stuff depending on what type of bridge. It probably pivots on two screws. Maybe the screws are too tight.
You can clean up the pivot points really carefully to make sure there is no burr with a file and check for wear on the screws. The bridge should pivot on sharp edges against the screws.
Also check the strings at the nut and make sure they are not binding. Use lead pencil in the slots as lube.
I think some tuning problems just go with a strat. That is one of the reasons they invented locking trems like floyd rose which lock the strings at the nut and right at the saddle.
Also, if you have lots of string wound around tuning posts the strings can change tension when the trem is used and tuning changes slightly. Again, this is can be adressed using locking tuners or by keeping the wound string only as long as needed.
Think like a string.
Dom
You can clean up the pivot points really carefully to make sure there is no burr with a file and check for wear on the screws. The bridge should pivot on sharp edges against the screws.
Also check the strings at the nut and make sure they are not binding. Use lead pencil in the slots as lube.
I think some tuning problems just go with a strat. That is one of the reasons they invented locking trems like floyd rose which lock the strings at the nut and right at the saddle.
Also, if you have lots of string wound around tuning posts the strings can change tension when the trem is used and tuning changes slightly. Again, this is can be adressed using locking tuners or by keeping the wound string only as long as needed.
Think like a string.
Dom
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ozziebluesman
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G'day Allen,
Yep everthing that Dom and Kim have already said.
If you want to use the tremelo on the strat you may want three springs to balance the bridge better. I have some spare springs here so if you want, just sing out and i will send them up to you.
Fender bullet strings work well on strats if you insist on using the trem. Fitting a graphite nut would be a big help too!!! Also has the guitar been strung with the strings fitted so they lock at the post?
If it is the old vintage style bridge setting it up so the bridge plate is touchng the body is also helpful. Doing this will reduce your backward tremelo use though.
Good luck with it.
Cheers
Alan
Yep everthing that Dom and Kim have already said.
If you want to use the tremelo on the strat you may want three springs to balance the bridge better. I have some spare springs here so if you want, just sing out and i will send them up to you.
Fender bullet strings work well on strats if you insist on using the trem. Fitting a graphite nut would be a big help too!!! Also has the guitar been strung with the strings fitted so they lock at the post?
If it is the old vintage style bridge setting it up so the bridge plate is touchng the body is also helpful. Doing this will reduce your backward tremelo use though.
Good luck with it.
Cheers
Alan
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Bob Connor
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- Location: Geelong, Australia
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Here's a few pics of how I've set up my Strat. And yes it has been through the wringer but I love the beaten up look.
I did all of this after reading an article on how Stevie Ray Vaughan had set his up to get it to play in tune with the tremelo.
Graphite nut with the string retainer for the D & G string removed.
I also use some 200 wet and dry on the underside of the remaining string retainer to ensure it doesn't catch there.
The bridge on this as a Shecter and I removed all but the outside screws to hold it in place thus removing 4 points where it may catch.
This last bit of trickery I bought form a music shop in Launceston and I can't remember who made them. Maybe someone will recognise it. It uses a spring loaded device to return the tremelo to it's original position. I don't know if they are still available.
I did these mods about 20 years ago but the bugger stays in tune even when attempting drunken Jimi Hendrix impersonations.
Bob
I did all of this after reading an article on how Stevie Ray Vaughan had set his up to get it to play in tune with the tremelo.
Graphite nut with the string retainer for the D & G string removed.
I also use some 200 wet and dry on the underside of the remaining string retainer to ensure it doesn't catch there.
The bridge on this as a Shecter and I removed all but the outside screws to hold it in place thus removing 4 points where it may catch.
This last bit of trickery I bought form a music shop in Launceston and I can't remember who made them. Maybe someone will recognise it. It uses a spring loaded device to return the tremelo to it's original position. I don't know if they are still available.
I did these mods about 20 years ago but the bugger stays in tune even when attempting drunken Jimi Hendrix impersonations.
Bob
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