Replace, Repair and Restore—Genuine Fender Parts Bridge assembly for use with U.S.- and Mexico-made Stratocaster models that take a vintage-style bridge, including Classic Series models manufactured 2004-present and Highway One™ models manufactured before 2006. Using a 6" (150 mm) ruler, measure the distance between bottom of strings and top of the 17th fret. Then, measuring with the String Action Gauge, adjust the string height to the player's preference. Since Fender manufactures its own strings, they are designed to perform well during extreme tremolo techniques. If you plan to change string gauges, you may need to adjust the specs somewhat to compensate for the changes in string sizes. 6:56 AM-- September 12, 2019. Search. If you change gauge later … A simple way to install a new spring is to bury the straight end into the bridge block hole. As you progress to the sixth string, you'll reduce the amount of slack and the number of winds around the keys. How often should I have a set-up adjustment done on my instrument? Vintage-Style Strat® Bridge Assembly, (2-3/16" Spacing), Chrome. This is my basic process to set up two-point floating trem systems on all my guitars, and it works pretty well. 4.4 out of 5 stars 553. At this point, you will want to make sure that the guitar is in tune. The fourth-string saddle should be set parallel with the second-string saddle. After you've played a few riffs and done a few dive-bombs, you can then do your final tuning. Proceed with the fifth and sixth saddles with the same method used for strings two and three. Pull the third string nearly to the top of the headcap and cut it. Affix a capo at the first fret and depress the sixth string at the last fret. Adjust pivot screws 6. There are two different styles of truss rod found on Fender instruments—"standard" and "bi-flex" truss rods. This is very important, especially on locking tuners. Then insert a flathead screwdriver into the loop and place the flathead on the far side of the claw and move the handle toward the neck. When you float the bridge, you are essentially putting the trem springs in the mix. Unlike all other items on our list, this bridge comes with instructions for installation, which will come in handy if you don’t have any experience setting up tele bridges. Many Strat players don’t use the tremolo that invariably comes fitted with the guitar. Set the pickup selector switch in the middle position, and turn the volume and tone controls to their maximum settings. You will need to go back and forth re-tuning the guitar and either letting out the spring claw or tightening it until the bridge base plate is floating correctly. Adjustment at headstock (allen wrench): Sight down the edge of the fingerboard from behind the headstock, looking toward the body of the instrument. $29.99 2 colors Modern Style Telecaster® String Ferrules. The loop automatically seats itself onto the claw. Then go through the process of adjusting the saddles with the bass side at 5/64â and treble at 4/64â. $12.82 $ 12. The most well-known bridge is the vintage-style "synchronized" tremolo. They should be "finger-tight." Note: These are minimum specifications that are meant as a guide; they should not be construed as hard and fast rules, as we realize that every player's subjective requirements often differ. Kenni ... with a 2-point Wilkinson-style tremolo, and I would like to set it up so I can only use it one way. The pitch of the neck on your guitar has been preset at the factory and in most cases will not need to be adjusted. On a blade-style bridge base plate, you will go through the process of re-tuning. Note: If you feel that this adjustment needs to be made and you're not comfortable doing it yourself, take your guitar to your local Fender Authorized Dealer. This is just as wrong as when we say a Fender amp’s “vibrato channel”. There … The trem should properly float at that action height. After adjusting the saddles, you can either remove the trem block or start to release the two spring claw screws. Most Fender guitars and basses are equipped with a standard truss rod (of which there are in turn two types: one that adjusts at the neck heel and one that adjusts at the headstock; both operate on the same principle). $29.99 2 colors Load More Compare up to 4 products. ... (It is called vibrato and not tremolo, but everyone calls the strat bridge for a “tremolo bridge”. This is so the trem doesnât move when going through the steps of tuning and adjusting saddles. Don't miss out! In part achieved through proper nut height and neck relief, the height of the strings is also determined by a Stratocaster's adjustable bridge saddles. If you prefer a bridge flush to the body, adjust spring tension to equal string tension, while the bridge rests on the body (you may want to put an extra 1/2 turn to each claw screw to ensure that the bridge remains flush to the body during string bends). You should choose saddle heights that match the radius of your neck, while allowing the strings to be low enough to be played comfortably and high enough that they don't buzz against the frets. How do I set up my Telecaster® guitar properly? The oil insulates against moisture and reduces friction and metal fatigue. This may involve adjusting the height of the saddles or of the string slots in the nut. Check your tuning, then re-check the gap with the feeler gauge and re-adjust as needed. Experiment with the height until the desired sound and feel is achieved. A shim approximately 1/4" (6.4 mm) wide by 1 3/4" (44.5 mm) long by .010" (0.25 mm) thick will allow you to raise the action approximately 1/32" (0.8 mm). For example, If the second string is .011" (0.3 mm), you would move the second-string saddle back .011" (0.3 mm) from the first saddle. On many American series guitars, a Micro-Tilt adjustment is offered. Allowing the bridge to float freely (no tension on the tremolo arm) using the claw screws in the tremolo cavity, adjust the bridge to your desired angle—Fender spec is a 1/8" (3.2 mm) gap at rear of bridge. 82. Discussion in 'Tech-Talk' started by Kenni, Apr 5, 2020. For a vintage-style tremolo bridge, a great way to enhance its performance is to pull the bridge back flush with the body using the tremolo arm. Then lower the middle four strings using the under-saddle radius gauge as your guide. Depress all the strings at the last fret. First, check tuning. One of the best ways to reduce string breakage is to lubricate the string/saddle contact point with a light machine oil (we prefer 3-in-1 oil because it contains anti-rust and anti-corrosive properties) every time you change strings. This leads a lot of Strat owners to committing the unfortunate sacrilege of blocking off the tremolo and effectively hardtailing the bridge. I play a Standard Stratocaster with a six-screw (“vintage”) floating tremolo bridge. It replaces the need for a shim by using a hex screw against a plate installed in the butt end of the neck. The patented bullet-end is specifically designed for all styles of tremolo use, from extreme dives to smooth vibrato passages. It’s important that you’re sure about your string size. © 2019 Musicians Institute All rights reserved. Unfortunately, acoustic guitars present a far more challenging situation. Set the action using the String Action Gauge. If you are adjusting a Fender Strat-style guitar with a floating bridge, this is the point at which you will balance the trem so that the strings will pull the bridge base off of the body. No matter what gauge of strings you use, for the best tuning stability we recommend using Fender Bullet® strings. Strings that have lost their integrity (worn where pressed against the fret) or have become oxidized, rusty and dirty will not return to pitch properly. Remove tremolo arm 2. The most well-known bridge is the vintage-style "synchronized" tremolo. Line the six tuning machines so that the first string keyhole is set at 1:00, the second at 2:00, the third and fourth at 3:00, the fifth at 4:00, and the sixth at 5:00. A Strat Bridge setup and modification that will make your bridge pivot better and return to pitch more accurately. Experiment with the height until the desired sound and feel is achieved.Note: For locking tremolo systems, the individual string height is preset. There are a few other things that you can do to optimize your tuning stability that have more to do with playing and tuning habits. Check each string at the 12th fret, harmonic to fretted note (make sure you are depressing the string evenly to the fret, not the fingerboard). Floating Strat bridges do have tuning and stability issues, but if they are of good quality and adjusted correctly they can sound great. A good instrument is key to good music and good tone. How do I set up my Fender guitar properly? First we’re going to set the pivot screws at the front of the bridge. For guitars with the Micro-Tilt adjustment, loosen the two neck screws on both sides of the adjustment access hole on the neckplate by at least four full turns. Vintage-Style Strat® Bridge Assemblies. Either tighten or release the spring claw until the entire base plate is floating off of the body parallel to the top. After the bridge is floating properly, you will probably notice that the string action has raised slightly. $79.99 Vintage-Style Strat® Bridge Assemblies. To adjust a floating trem, you will essentially copy the steps of the hardtail bridge up until the last step. I would recommend either adding a removable wedge-shaped block behind the trem block or tightening the spring claw behind the guitar. There are two styles of floating Strat bridges: six-screw or blade-style. If you have a non-tremolo "hardtail" bridge, proceed to "Intonation (Roughing it out).". If the neck is too concave (action too high), turn the truss rod nut clockwise to remove excess relief. Move the third saddle back from the second saddle using the gauge of the third string as a measurement. The need to adjust the pitch (raising the butt end of the neck in the pocket, thereby pitching the neck back) of the neck occurs in situations where the string height is high and the action adjustment is as low as the adjustment will allow. I practically never use the tremolo arm, and I’d like to experiment more with alternate tunings, so I’m thinking about “decking” the bridge – making it flush with the guitar body. Using a 6" (150 mm) ruler, measure the distance from the bottom of the first and sixth strings to the top of the pole piece. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. After making these adjustments, you can put the guitar back up to pitch. The design allows the string to travel freely in the bridge block channel during tremolo use and return afterwards to its original position, seated snugly in the bridge block. If just one of these holes is out of alignment, like the G string hole shown here, it’ll mess up the function of the bridge. For a two-pivot model such as the American Series bridge, use your tremolo arm to pull the bridge back flush with the body and adjust the two pivot screws to the point where the tremolo plate sits entirely flush at the body (not lifted at the front or back of the plate). First, remove the tremolo back cover. Now adjust the action at the bridge saddles. If you find any of these, you should change your strings. Finally, you may wish to apply a small dab of Chapstick® or Vaseline® at the pivot contact points of the bridge for very smooth operation. Allowing the bridge to float freely (no tension on the tremolo arm) using the claw screws in the tremolo cavity, adjust the bridge to your desired angle—Fender spec is a 1/8" (3.2 mm) gap at rear of bridge. Remember, guitars are tempered instruments! The following setup procedures and specifications are for your Telecaster as equipped with the strings that come on the instrument as standard equipment from the factory. Pull the strings through tautly and tighten the thumb wheel, locking the string in. Make sure each saddle stays level and doesn’t tilt, and adjust the saddles in a gentle arc that matches the fretboard radius. Tightening the hex adjustment screw with an 1/8" hex wrench approximately 1/4 turn will allow you to raise the action approximately 1/32". The distance will vary according to the amount of magnetic pull from the pickup. If your guitar has a blade-style bridge base plate that only has two outer screws below the E strings, you will raise these up so the entire base plate will lift off of the body when the block is removed. Modifications of the specs may also be made (within limited parameters) to adjust for your individual playing style or application (i.e., how hard you pick, strum or fret the guitar). Double that measurement to find the scale length of your guitar. The problem appears when you try to install the bridge. This is accomplished by eliminating the extra string wrap and the ball-end (the ball end doesn't fit properly into the string channel). Finally, wipe the strings, neck and bridge with a lint-free cloth after playing. The bullet end has been shaped and sized to match the design of the bridge block channel. I think the reason a lot of people have trouble with their Stratocaster tremolos is because their's isn't set up right and they don't know how to set it … Arrives before Christmas Only 18 left in stock - … For strings to stay in tune, they should be changed regularly. Picture the headcap of the neck as the face of a clock, with the top being 12:00 and the nut being 6:00. Ruler with 1/32″ and 1/64″ increments or 0.5 mm increments. Caution: Do not over-tighten the springs, as this can put unnecessary tension on the arm during tremolo use. If the neck is too convex (strings too close to the fingerboard), turn the truss rod nut counter-clockwise to allow the string tension to pull more relief into the neck. Start by loading all the strings through the bridge and then loading them onto the keys as follows: Locking tuning keys. Lubrication such as Big Bends Nut Sauce. Fender Takes a Swing with MLB Stratocaster. Use the two pivot adjustment screws to achieve the desired overall string height. $24.99 American Vintage Strat®-Tele® Saddle Height Adjustment Screws (12) $5.49 Vintage-Style Bass Bridge … Get it as soon as Tue, Dec 15. Re-tighten the neck screws when the adjustment is complete. If the neck is too convex (strings too close to the fingerboard), turn the truss rod nut counter-clockwise to allow the string tension to pull more relief into the neck. You'll need to retune periodically to get the right balance between the strings and the springs. Remove strings 4. Let it be said! The other three are the American Series bridge, which is a modern-day two-pivot bridge; the non-tremolo hardtail bridge; and a locking tremolo, such as the American Deluxe or Floyd Rose® locking tremolos. Allen wrench for truss rod Lubrication. You can always experiment with different cap values for a different sound, but this wiring is what comes standard on most Fender Strats after 2000. The Toothpick Trick: Guitar Setup and Maintenance, Adjusting Pickup Height: Guitar Setup and Maintenance, Cleaning a Guitar’s Electronics: Guitar Setup and Maintenance, Adjusting Intonation: Guitar Setup and Maintenance, Using a Strobe Tuner: Guitar Setup and Maintenance. The bridge will now pivot on the outside screws, leaving the four inside screws in place for bridge stability. A common “Fender-style” bridge on a Stratocaster. There is definitely a tone in that. Plus, the ability to pull back on the arm is a beautiful thing when doing light vibrato. Shimming is a procedure used to adjust the pitch of the neck in relation to the body. Note: For locking tremolo systems, the individual string height is preset. Re-tune and repeat several times. Musiclily Pro 54mm Guitar Strat Tremolo Bridge Assembly Set for Fender Stratocaster Style Guitar Replacement, Chrome 4 out of 5 stars 82 $20.41 $ 20 . Remove back cover 3. Pull the second string about a 1/2" (13 mm) past the headcap and cut it. Be the first to know about new products, … The core diameter and tension of your strings determine how the Strat’s spring claw must be set – which in turn carries over to saddle heights, intonation adjustment and … Then loosen all six screws located at the front edge of the bridge plate, raising them so that they all measure approximately 1/16" (1.6 mm) above the top of the bridge plate. Another factor is metal-to-metal friction and fatigue. A shim is placed in the neck pocket, underneath the butt end of the neck. Finally, pull the first string 1 1/2" (38 mm) past the top of the headcap and cut it. see the spec chart below for the proper gap. The bridge will now pivot on the outside screws, leaving the four inside screws in place for bridge stability. Re-tune, play and make further adjustments as needed. How can I find out when my Mexican-made instrument was manufactured? You'll need to leave a bit of slack for the first string so you have at least two or three winds around the post. This controls the tension of the gears inside the tuning keys. If you are adjusting a Fender Strat-style guitar with a floating bridge, this is the point at which you will balance the trem so that the strings will pull the bridge base off of the body. Floating Strat bridges do have tuning and stability issues, but if they are of good quality and adjusted correctly they can sound great. How do I set up my Stratocaster® guitar properly? Where can I take my instrument and/or amplifier to be repaired? Remember—with most tuning keys, it's preferable to tune up to pitch. The main cause of string breakage is moisture collection at the point of contact on the bridge saddle. Re-attach springs 7. Adjustments should be made after all of the above have been accomplished. While the design is great and they can be set up to play in tune, often that maintenance falls by the wayside and the tuning becomes unreliable. Make Room For Slash’s Gibson Double Neck Guitar. A stronger metal will always attack a softer metal (this is why a stainless-steel string will wear a groove or burr in a vintage-style saddle). To check if your strings need changing, run a finger underneath the string and feel for dirt, rust or flat spots. Adjust the first-string bridge saddle to this scale length, measuring from the inside of the nut to the center of the bridge saddle. This can be attributed to the moisture and acidity that transfers from your hands, or it can be a direct effect of humidity in the air. The back edge of the bridge comes up, and the strings pull the bridge off of the body. If your Strat’s bridge has 6 screws, raise the middle 4 so that they aren’t affecting the height of the bridge, now set the outside two screws like I … Now tune to pitch. This is amp tremolo, by definition. Here is a pickup manufacturer that will need little … Adjust bridge saddles to the height according to the chart, then re-tune. If the neck is too concave (action too high), turn the truss rod nut clockwise to remove excess relief. Players with a light touch can get away with lower action; others need higher action to avoid rattles. Phillips Screwdriver. I explain this operation in “How to Set Up a Fender Stratocaster.” Unlike standard truss rods, which can only correct a neck that is too concave (under-bowed), the bi-flex truss rod can compensate concave or convex (over-bowed) curvature by generating a correcting force in either direction as needed. Compare Clear All. Fender also uses a unique bi-flex truss rod system on some instruments. The following setup procedures and specifications are for your Stratocaster as equipped with the strings that come on the instrument as standard equipment from the factory. This Standard Stratocaster Wiring Diagram features a Neck tone (0.02mfd) and a Bridge & Middle tone (0.02mfd). String trees are another point of contact and should also be lubricated; a small amount of lip balm applied with a toothpick works well. Check your tuning, then re-check the gap with the feeler gauge and re-adjust as needed. Follow the measurement guidelines in the chart below as starting points. Pull the fourth string between the second and first keys and cut it. To reduce string slippage at the tuning key, we recommend using a tie technique. You can preset the basic intonation of your guitar by taking a tape measure and measuring from the inside of the nut to the center of the 12th fret (the fret wire itself; not the fingerboard). Players with a light touch can get away with lower action; others need higher action to avoid rattles. On electric guitars, adjusting the saddle height is usually a simple matter of carefully measuring the height and then using a screwdriver or allen wrench (depending on the bridge) to raise the strings appropriately. How you wind the strings onto the pegs is very important, whether you're using locking, standard or vintage tuning keys. After you've installed and tuned a new set, hold the strings at the first fret and hook your fingers under each string, one at a time, and tug lightly, moving your hand from the bridge to the neck. Using an Allen wrench, adjust the two screws to position each saddle to your preferred height (Photo 6). Pull the sixth string (tautly, remember) to the fourth key and cut it. $54.99 Road Worn® Tele® Bridge Assembly. This chrome bridge is a perfect choice for American standard or Ashtray guitars. My Strat has the American style of bridge which only has two pivot points. String up your guitar. For these, you'll want to pre-cut the strings to achieve the proper length and desired amount of winds. Using a 6\" (150 mm) ruler, measure the distance between bottom of strings and top of the 17th fret. Then tune again. If you block the trem or tighten the claw, you will essentially turn the guitar into a hardtail until you start to balance the trem. Tools you will need: Set of automotive feeler guages .002″-.025″ or .05 mm-1 mm. Now adjust the distance of the second-string saddle back from the first saddle, using the gauge of the second string as a measurement. 4:15 AM-- April 9, 2014. Then tighten the two outside screws back down until they're flush with the top of the bridge plate. Fender JMJ Mustang Bass Service Notification. This allows the strings to pull the block forward and float. For this type of bridge, the front edge of the bridge should make contact with the top of the body while the back edge (under the saddle intonation screws) is lifted off of the body about 1/16â. Adjustment at neck joint (phillips screwdriver): Sight down the edge of the fingerboard from behind the body, looking up toward the headstock of the instrument. 41 Wilkinson Strat WVC-SB Tremolo Chrome 6-Hole Vintage Bridge Steel Block Trem 4.3 out of 5 stars 23 Set too high, pickups can cause myriad inexplicable phenomena. Stratocaster setup guide. With a feeler gauge, check the gap between the bottom of the string and the top of the 8th fret—see the spec chart below for the proper gap. The most common Strat bridge has 6 steel saddles with each one holding a string. Do not over-tighten these screws. Here are the steps we will go through to set up the tremolo: 1. When you float the bridge, you are essentially putting the trem springs in the mix. Guitars. Insert into the center hole in the tuning key, bend and crimp to a 90-degree angle, and wind neatly in a downward pattern, being careful to prevent overlapping of the strings. Remove springs 5. A good rule of thumb is that the distance should be greatest at the sixth-string neck pickup position, and closest at the first-string bridge pickup position. If your guitar has a six-screw design, you should tighten the two screws that attach the bridge base to the body so they make equal contact on the bridge base plate, then lift the four in the center so they are lifted up off of the base equally. First, check your tuning. Pull the fifth string to the third key and cut it. Lubricating all of the contact points of a string's travel may be one of the most important elements in ensuring tuning stability during tremolo use and in reducing string breakage. If flat, shorten the string by moving the saddle forward. Road Worn® Strat® Bridge Section Kit. Adjust bridge saddles to the height according to the chart, then re-tune. Note: In either case, if you meet excessive resistance when adjusting the truss rod, if your instrument needs constant adjustment, if adjusting the truss rod has no effect on the neck, or if you're simply not comfortable making this type of adjustment yourself, take your instrument to your local Fender Authorized Dealer. Standard keys. Restring guitar 8. Make sure to stretch your strings properly. Look closely at Photo 2 to see that the holes aren’t really lining up with the screwholes on the bridge. Check your tuning. Adjust the truss rod to add relief to the neck, if that's what the player prefers. Check tuning. Metal expands when warm and contracts when cool. The setup for both of these styles is almost the same, with the exception of step 5 (below), which will be clearly defined when the time comes. However, with locking tuners, go past the note and tune down to pitch. We look at three different Stratocaster bridge upgrade options, American and Vintage styles, that can fit in either Fender or Squier guitars. This will allow for those two outer screws to hold the base plate down while the four in the middle act as support but donât impede movement of the trem. Each time you play your guitar, before you do your final tuning, play for a few minutes to allow the strings to warm up. Metal components react to each other over time because of their differences and help break down string integrity. Place a capo on the first fret. First, check tuning. If sharp, lengthen the string by adjusting the saddle back. The other three are the American Series bridge, which is a modern-day two-pivot bridge; the non-tremolo hardtail bridge; and a locking tremolo, such as the American Deluxe or Floyd Rose® locking tremolos. Appreciation in the form of gold and silver may be sent to BR549. To properly shim a neck, the neck must be removed from the neck pocket of the body. Allowing the bridge to float freely (no tension on the tremolo arm) using the claw screws in the tremolo cavity, adjust the bridge to your desired angle—Fender spec is a 1/8" (3.2 mm) gap at rear of bridge. $9.99 2 colors Standard Series Telecaster® Bridge Assembly. Vintage keys. When transporting or storing your guitar, even for short periods, avoid leaving it anyplace you wouldn't feel comfortable yourself. If the trem system uses more than two trem posts (the screws or little metal barrels that keep the bridge in place, see image) like PRS trem systems and vintage Fender-style six-screw bridges, then all six of the screws used to hold the trem in place need to be at the same height. As close as desired (allowing for string vibration), Set of automotive feeler gauges (.002-.025) (0.05–1 mm), 6" (150 mm) ruler (with 1/32" and 1/64" increments) (0.5 mm increments), Light machine oil (3-in-1, toy locomotive or gun oil). If your tuning keys have a screw on the end of the button, check the tightness of the screw. Musiclily 52.5mm Guitar Stratocaster Tremolo Bridge Set for Fender Strat Squier Electric Guitar Replacement, Black. You'll also find that different string brands break at different points of tension because of the metal makeup and string manufacturing techniques. Selecting your strings is crucial, because a Stratocaster should be set up with the actual string gauge that you intend to use. They are threaded, with a spring inbetween to keep tension, on to screws located in the back of the bridge that can move the saddle forward or backward to adjust the length of the string in order to set the intonation. Fender Stratocaster Wiring Diagram with Middle & Bridge Tone. Seymour Duncan California ’50s Strat Pickup Set. The Babicz full contact bridge offers impeccable stability and increased sustain. The standard truss rod can counteract concave curvature in a neck that has too much relief, for example, by generating a force in the neck opposite to that caused by excessive string tension. What should I do when taking my equipment to be serviced? Stratocaster guitars can have four distinctive types of bridges. This is done by pulling the string through the keyhole and then pulling it clockwise underneath and back over itself; creating a knot. If you plan to change string gauges, you may need to adjust the specs somewhat to compensate for the changes in string sizes. Stratocaster guitars can have four distinctive types of bridges.
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