Hi all¡¡¡ Long time not consulted anything here .....

Well I wanted to propose a topic that I hope will be of pleasure to all lovers of the Stratocaster .....

I recently bought a second hand Fender Stratocaster model "Fender Stratocaster MIM Classic 68 Reverse Headstock" (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/fender-60s-reverse-headstock-strat-electric-guitar).
When you make a change of strings and a general adjustment to suit my taste, has given me think wonder if I leave the jumper set in a "floating" to use the lever or instead to leave it fixed .... the five springs and close to the body ..... As I commented that detail the guitar has a Fender 57/62 pickups and the gauge strings I use on all my guitars is 011-052 .....
The "because" it is because I have plantearmelo three guitars but with lever (a Squier Jagmaster practically transformed into a Jaguar while the bridge is kind Stratocaster "Vintage", a Squier Standard Stratocaster with two pivot type bridge "American Standard" and repainted blank for "nitro" (more change GFS "Lipstick" pickups and other changes ...) and Eastwood Saturn 63 with bridge type Jaguar ....).
It has given me leave to think the fixed bridge to change more than anything .... besides the previous owner sent me to the bridge close to the body and the truth is that I really like how it sounds.
I think it would be nice that all those who have a Fender Stratocaster then discuss what your preferences for the adjustment of the tremolo .... (if you like "floating" fixed, with more docks, less .... etc. .. ..) and "benefits" / "disadvantages" you find differences in sound and when adjusted to have it one way or another ..... and incidentally what are your "tricks" and steps to adjust ... .
I imagine that will depend much the style that touches everyone, but I have to say (from what I've been looking ....) than in the same style of music there are guitarists who prefer the bridge one way and some another ..... . For example, in the Blues music and "Surf" which are the styles that I play more ground ..... some people the blues like Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Rory Gallagher ..... who prefer the bridge stratos stuck to his body and others like Ike Turner who liked to stick to good shots of his guitars .... as for the Surf, but their sound is associated with good moves to give leverage to the guitars mixed with lots of reverb .... people like Dick Dale who is considered the "King of Surf" and has the bridge close to the body with the five piers posts and do not use the whammy bar ....
As I mentioned earlier, I play much Blues and Surf .... but I also like other styles of music such as jazz, pop / rock "indie", etc ....

Well, to see if anyone is encouraged to leave their two cents and experiences with the various jumper settings of a Stratocaster .... I think that might be interesting and helpful .....

A greeting from Spain and I hope your answers¡¡

I have a "2-pivot" bridge on my '91 Strat Plus & a "6 screw" in my "Highyway 1". Although I'm (trained) used to the 6 screw "older" version, I find the "2-pivots" allows me to eliminate the "bar", and just use my hand to pull up lightly on the bridge, giving a subtle vibrato bend. (You CAN bend it deeper, w/a lil' more "elbow(finger) grease"). I like them both equally. (I know this poses no "answer", but I'm 50/50 with either one). I'm used to the 6-bolt cos' I had it in my '66 for all those years, but the 2-pivot eliminates my need for a whammy bar (on that model). (I also "abuse" the effect a lot less this way & "it floats") !

Last edited: May 15, 2012 10:41:11

I have a nice old Japanese Electra sort-of Strat copy. I put a 6-screw Wilkinson trem in it with a push-in arm. At first, I adjusted the plate flush with the body, but later tried floating it about 1/8" and what a difference! I hate to say it, but I'm starting to prefer it to my Jag trem. What a range of expression. I also put JM pickups in the guitar and it SINGS.

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Last edited: May 15, 2012 13:02:38

Hello again¡¡
As I commented that I have adjusted the bridge of my Classic 68 to leave attached to the body.
I put five springs but I have not done is to put the piece of wood, as though he wanted to leave on the body, I preferred not to let it "locked" .... So, if I feel like from time to time , I can give some movement with the whammy bar to lower the note pitch ...
If it is true that it shows little more sustain and resonance .... also I think it helps that the previous owner of the guitar you put a good steel tremolo block.
I have also noticed that the guitar has improved in stability in the tuning as I've been "abusing" a conscience for a while and was virtually no tune .... The only "but" I have observed is that the touch the strings now is something harder or tense .... or at least that's the feeling that has given me .... I guess as with everything .... will be getting used.
What if I have no doubt that is whether to adjust the bridge to let him close to the body (as I did ...) you should press much or little the six screws that are at the base of the bridge .... I have tight until I noticed that made contact with the base of the bridge but I have not pressed or forced more .... I also have doubts of what I have to tighten the screws from behind, ie that adjust the springs .... I have been pressing to have the guitar tuned to more or less I have seen the bridge plate into contact with the body of the guitar.
See if someone gives me a hand with this ....
Many thanks for all the help¡¡
A greeting¡¡

I also prefer the floating trem. I have a 57 AVRI and it is setup to factory specs 3/32 on the trem. I use 11 gauge DR Pure blues strings and the sustain is great and this guitar stays in tune like you wouldn't beiieve! I'm using 4 springs on the tremolo. It plays amazingly well, awesome guitar.

I like 'em floating. It's the way I believe they were designed to be used and it's the way I set the ones we build in our shop up when they ship out unless a customer requests otherwise. I also think they sound better this way.
As much as I like Bigsbys and Jag trems it's really hard to beat the feel of a well set up floating strat trem and if the nut is cut correctly and the bridge is adjusted properly, with care, they stay in tune great.

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