fender stratocaster
 

hey, you got a minute?

i've just restrung and polished my guitar, and think the bridge/tremlo are riding a little high. I havent played this guitar seriously for 10 years or so, as the acoustic is so much more convenient. It's a Fender Stratocaster. I wonder if you know anything about the nuts and bolts, cuz i sure don't.

There are two bolts that have a kind of funny cone shape to them on the front forward edges of the tremlo plate that do something to adjust the tension of the tremlo, and inside the back there is a pair of screws that tighten a metal tray that has 3 springs that attach to the underside of said tremlo. I'm sure the action is way higher than i remember it being. I used to always get extra slinky strings, but this time opted for heavy bottom, shiny top: E6: .52,/ E1: .10 gauge.
a little help?

from the side

The string set you're using is kind of a faddish thing, imho. The nu-metal kids like it because they detune their low E string to D or even C# to make it sound all growly, and the heavier string helps with that.

For regular playing, 52 seems a bit on the heavy side. If you like the way it sounds or feels, though, by all means keep it. But you should let someone at the local shop set it up for you. They'll need to adjust the truss rod, the action, the intonation, all that happy crap. It wouldn't be a bad idea to let them do it even if you were using standard light gauge strings, but it's a necessity with the heavies - that's why your trem is riding so high.

One option you might consider: one of my strats had the most anal-retentive, picky, irritating tremolos in the world. It would NOT stay in tune, either. So I changed the spring configuration (added TWO - edit), and bolted the mother down. I've never regretted it. If I need to do whammy bar stuff, I have guitars that have floyd rose style trems on em. The strat (it's now my only strat, come to think of it) doesn't need the aggravation. Plus, I can bend like 3 tones up now because I don't have the annoying trem trying to collapse on me.

thanks mrnoodle.

since i didn't understand anything at all in your 3rd paragraph, I realize that I am just going to fuck it up if i try to do this myself. I guess I should take it to my local music store....

how much should i be paying to have it adjusted?

I would think they could do it for $15-$20 plus the cost of the strings. If you buy some stuff from them (like 100$ worth), you can mention the setup on your way out and they might do it for free, since you're so free with the money n all. At least get a first-timers discount.

I only had my Strat for a few months, and didn't even change the strings on it. That being said, you *did* pull the strings through the back, right?

Something is seriously not right with that whammy setup, you are absolutely correct.

yeah, i know how to operate and maintain it just fine, but intonation is beyond me. if it's only 15-20, i'll pay a pro.

Whatever is going on there is beyond intonation. Looks like the strings are trying to rip the whole whammy assembly right out of the body.

yeah. there are 2 screws that i could tighten inside the back, and those two odd plug/screws look like they might hold it down, but with the way they're shaped, i cant decide if i should go left or right with the screws.

detail

So pick a direction and turn it a little bit. If it gets better, cool. If it gets worse, stop and go the other way before they fall out.

Loosen the strings first.

yeah, well i'll have to loosen them a good bit, as the E's are directly above the screws.
i was just hoping someone might know for sure. maybe i should just go get some slinky strings again.

Wish I could remember how all that worked. I know I've seen this situation before, but I'm damned if I can remember what you do about it. I don't think it involves lighter gauge strings, but then I'm an acoustic player for the most part. My electric is almost exclusively used as a driver for my guitar synth.

do you think the springs might have gotten "flabby" over these years of life in the case?

I can't say that I've ever heard of that being the case, and I've played some pretty damn old Strats over the years.

Ahh...this might help.

http://www.zentao.com/ubb/Forum5/HTML/001480.html