Members Vince Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 I've just finished putting together a strat with one of these bridges: http://www.jhs.co.uk/wilkinson.html#vibratos - the one on the top right, looks like this: and even with 3 springs fitted it's really quite stiff. It doesn't rest on the body so surely it should be easy to move, or am I missing something here? Has anyone got any suggestions on how to make it smoother and easier to move? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Vince Posted February 12, 2009 Author Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 Don't want to dwell on the obvious, but did you try adjusting the claw?If you're using heavy gauge strings, you may have to go to four springs. Only using 10-46 so I doubt 4 springs would work. If anything, surely that would make it stiffer? And yes, I've tried adjusting the claw, but to no avail:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Prages Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 Go down to two springs and tighten the claw. If you want a softer feel, you have to take springs out, not add more. Two springs with the claw tightened all the way will feel softer than 3 springs with the claw backed out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitargod0dmw Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 The springs counterbalance the string tension, with the trem pivoting between them. Increasing the spring tension by tightening the claw screws or adding springs makes the trem easier to move, not harder. I've noticed the exact opposite...adding more springs in my guitars makes the trem harder to move. You can always try 2 springs and tighten down the claw some more. I like to have my springs opened up a little, they seem to have a smoother trem action. Have you played with the pivot points yet? Does the trem move freely on them, or does it bind up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RaVenCAD Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 more springs = more tension = stiffer bridge. less springs = less tension = softer bridge If 2 will let you get the float you want, use 2. If they won't, then buy heavier springs and use 2.. The whole point is that you aren't going to get a softer trem until you lose a spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitargod0dmw Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 So, you guys are adjusting the trems flat to the body? Not sure where the disconnect is here... Mines floating...3 springs...angled... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members go cat go Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 The springs counterbalance the string tension, with the trem pivoting between them. Increasing the spring tension by tightening the claw screws or adding springs makes the trem easier to move, not harder. This is definitely not my experience on any trem I ever set up. It's wrong actually. Ian is this you??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RaVenCAD Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 I have 4 electrics and 4 perfectly floating bridges (3 Floyds, 1 Wilky), all have 3 springs and run 9-42s. I'm pretty sure the Ibanez could go 2 springs, and I might try it soon.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FarToMany Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 While you guys are talking about springs, i was thinking maybe the two mounting screws were actually to tight not allowing for a good pivot. Did you tighten those screws to much? They are not supposed to be tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RaVenCAD Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 I fail to see where you are disconnecting. For the record, all my bridges pull up, some of them pull WAY up.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Prages Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 I really don't know how you could reason that more springs will give you less tension, regardless of how you set up the bridge. It just doesn't make a lick of sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members go cat go Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 I haven't dive bombed since '87. I have 40 plus guitars with all different types of trems. My Floyds are set to float. On all the guitars I have my experience has been that the tighter the claw the harder the it is to use the bar. The more springs you use the harder it is to use the bar. I use the bar constantly by the way. You are right in that it is a balance. The more tension you have at the claw by either tighten it or with springs, the more force you are going to have to use to move that tension. Thus less tension = an easier bar. It's simple physics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members left hand path Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 try adjusting the mounting screws so that they are out farther and try using only 2 springs. I had an Ibanez with a vintage style trem like those on strats and I did the same thing in order to allow me to do give it a double locking trem feel. thats what you mean right? you want to go up and down with it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitargod0dmw Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 I really don't know how you could reason that more springs will give you less tension, regardless of how you set up the bridge. It just doesn't make a lick of sense. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chiro972 Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 The springs counterbalance the string tension, with the trem pivoting between them. Increasing the spring tension by tightening the claw screws or adding springs makes the trem easier to move, not harder. WHAT????? Oldfinger, go get checked for late stage alzheimers disease please. OK, if your trem is floating and the strings are so damn stiff that they won't move (you'd have to be using stiffer strings than I have ever seen on the market!) you'd be right. However EVERY case of stiff trem I have ever seen is a case where the bridge is slammed tight to the body and it is the springs holding it there, so the tension on the springs has to be LESS. Go to the fender site. Look in support. They have a great guide on trem setup. I don't know quite how that wilki works, but on my vintage trems, the 6 screws that hold the trem to the body are always WAY too tight causing the trem to not move well. Your wilki obviously is a two point, so I don't know if that aspect is adjustable. Loosen your claw. Make the 3 springs go in a straight line instead of converging. Make the bass side spring looser than the treb side. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members metale Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 Could the springs be new and still breaking-in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Prages Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 Could the springs be new and still breaking-in? It takes years and years for those springs to lose any of their elasticity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Into Nation Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 If this wasn't mentioned, try loosening the two bridge screws (not the trem claw screws) a tad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Vince Posted February 12, 2009 Author Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 Wow, thanks for all the responses guys! I agree that more springs = more tension so I ain't gonna put 4 on there! I have the bridge raised off the surface of the guitar so it is free to move and yes, I want it to go up as well as down. I've tried it with only 2 springs, and it didn't make as much difference as I thought which led me to believe it was something else (but I couldn't figure out what that something was!) but I'll give it another go with only 2 springs and see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chiro972 Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 OK, if the bridge is raised up off the surface of the body and two springs didn't really change things, then your problem is its binding somewhere. Nothing else could be true. check to make sure it moves freely on the pivots. Make sure the block isn't binding against the pocket. Something has to be wrong here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RaVenCAD Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 Could the springs be new and still breaking-in? Springs don't break in, they wear out.. There is a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Vince Posted February 12, 2009 Author Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 I spent a bit more time fiddling with 2 springs, and it was heading in the right direction although the claw had to be screwed in really close to the back wall of the cavity to get the back of the bridge down.I also had a closer look at the bridge (took it off) and saw that the actual bridge plate was heavily worn at the contact points with the screws. I could understand this on a 10 year old bridge, but not a 1 week old! Either I did something drastically wrong when I was installing it, I got a bad one, or it's just soft metal. Regardless, I took it back to the shop where I bought it from and they're getting me another one. The moral of this story is to approach these bridges with caution. I'm going to give the new one a close look over and if it goes within a couple of months I'll have to look at alternatives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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