[justshane]

I know that there are a lot of people out there that think that the tremelo on the Stratocaster is completely useless. I have found though that if you use the tremelo more like a Bigsby type tremelo then it works really well with no tuning issues whatsoever.

Does anyone else have any experience using a Fender-type tremelo with good results?

[LATS]

I got really good results with the tremolo on my Strat by tearing it out and bolting the bridge plate down firmly onto a brass block pressed in to the hole left by that ********** trem!

[Aster1]

As I recall, Jimi Hendrix was rather successful with his. I love my American Strat to pieces!

Aster

[Bengal65]

I've got a bunch of Strats with Fender 6 screw, 2 pointer fulcrum and aftermarket Callaham bridges. If they are setup right, they work great. The trick is in the setup. Yeah, they were not designed to be used like Floyd Rose Trems in the first place. More along the lines of a Bigsby.

[justshane]

I know what you mean! I used to block off the trems on my Stratocaster but I recently started playing around with it a little bit after playing my Gretsch so much and using the Bigsby I found myself using the Strat trem in the same style and getting really nice results.

[Bear]

I have no problem with Strat trems that have push in arms but I hate the ones that have screw in arms. Unless you tighten a screw in arm to the max, you always get a little arm free play/wobble. This drives me INSANE! I change all my Strat trems to Wilkinsons and never have an issue with them. I do set my Strat trems as floaters.

[Synchro]

I have an American Dlx Strat which hsa a 2-point trem and a push it arm. I think it's pretty decent and agree that setup is everything. I also agree that the biggest problem is in how people try to use them. Dive bombing was not the intended function of these trems and like anything else used to the extreme there's a greater chance of something going wrong. I've decked the trem on my Strat at times but if I want to use it a lot, such as when I'm playing surf music I find that the action is more predictable when it's floating a bit.

All this having been said I musch prefer the Bigsby or the trem on the Jag/Jazz to the Strat trem. Nothing against the Strat but IMO the other two designs are better.

[gigatron]

I have an American Standard Strat. I agree with Bear. I don't like the screw-in arm. However, the tremelo is quite usable, but it requires a lighter touch than a Bigsby. Listen to Hank Marvin. There's a guy who knows how to use a Strat trem.

[justshane]

I have noticed that it does require a much lighter touch. I have the screw in arm and I don't have a real problem with it. I screw it down to where it is going to be tight (not tightening it) and it sits right where I need it. Then I unscrew it one round when I am not going to be using it and it is out of the way. I used to hate trems but since I got so used to the Bigsby, I find that I miss it when it is not there.

[Ricochet]

Removing the 4 middle mountingscrews and enlarging the 2 outer screwholes used to be a standard mod on mine. Less squeek and a more fluid motion.

After reading Dan Erlewine's setup for strattrems loosening the 4 middle mountingscrews, I found a nice compromise leaving 4 screws of which the middle two(a&b string) are slightly loosened(leave a gap big enough to slide a business card underneath) and keep the trem anchored in case the main "outer studs" collaps.

FWIW. I think a properly adjusted strattrem has better functioning "wobble" than any Bigsby. Obviously a floating setup is key.

[Bengal65]

Originally Posted by Ricochet

Removing the 4 middle mountingscrews and enlarging the 2 outer screwholes used to be a standard mod on mine. Less squeek and a more fluid motion.

After reading Dan Erlewine's setup for strattrems loosening the 4 middle ones, I found a nice compromise leaving 4 screws of which the middle two(a&b string) are slightly loosened(leave a gap big enough to slide a business card underneath) and keep the trem anchored in case the main "outer studs" collaps.

FWIW. I think a properly adjusted strattrem has better functioning "wobble" than any Bigsby. Obviously a floating setup is key.

+1 on Dan's books. Can't recommend them enough. Dan has the setup.

[Telefan]

The one on the strat I have has never been great, but others I've played have worked well. I still prefer the good ol' bigsby though.

[Quietly]

Never had problems with my Strat's always set them up with three springs and floating. Mind you the LR Baggs X Bridge on the Anderson was certainly better. Apart from Hank Marvin watch Jeff Beck

YouTube- Jeff Beck - Brush with the blues

[justshane]

I had one that was horrible. But, the Strat that I have now has one on it that works really, really well.

[ruger9]

Start here: (there's 5 parts AFTER this video):

YouTube- How to keep your Strat tremolo in tune....

[gringo]

Until I got my American Deluxe I always blocked the vibratos on my Strats. This one seems to work just fine without it.

Probably has more to do with my age and current taste in music than it does the design.

[justshane]

Gringo, you might be right. I know that my style has changed. I really wish that I had learned a lot more about the "mechanical" side of playing when I was younger. I see the importance now of learning how to maintain guitars and to really take care of them.

[TBrady]

Originally Posted by justshane

I know that there are a lot of people out there that think that the tremelo on the Stratocaster is completely useless. I have found though that if you use the tremelo more like a Bigsby type tremelo then it works really well with no tuning issues whatsoever.

Does anyone else have any experience using a Fender-type tremelo with good results?

Fender 'type' tremolo, yes. I have a strat with a Wilkinson Trem on it that is great, it never causes it to go out of tune and works great! Terry

[FrankieSixxxgun]

My Strat trem is every bit as useful as my Bigsby. A lot of people like to hard tail their Strats, and I don't know why because then you lose the ability to bring the pitch up. Standard 3/8" float, 11-48 nickel wound nickel strings (Strats are BRIGHT), and 5 springs in the cavity for me, and it's delicious Fender tone, especially in a bassy Fender amp.

[Lizardkinged]

Originally Posted by Aster1

As I recall, Jimi Hendrix was rather successful with his. I love my American Strat to pieces!

Aster

If you recall jimi hendrix had professional set-up techs making sure his trems were always set right.