Here is how to setup a Strat trem.

[EL-CeeDee]

Hmm,.. in the above image, the trem is flat against the body. I did it to mine as well, get it lying on the body as flat as possible. Take out the bar. And you're done! No/little detuning on string snaps! I've got my floyds to handle the crazy stuff.
AND I noticed a difference in tone. Even on a six screw vintage trem.

I didn't quite get the angled claw though. He says it evens the tension, but that's sort of weird.
IF it increased the tension, it would increase the pitch. Resetting the intonation can solve this a bit, but not completely. it would make more sense to me to angle the claw in the other direction. Making sure the strings with higher tension have more backpull from the trem springs, to avoid "twisting" of the trem. With that being said, I can't imagine the solid construction of a trem to warp much because of string tension difference.
If this tension difference is an issue, why not get a matched string set ? This would allow a more even string tension, while keeping the tremclaw straight. Avoiding any warping ( if there is any in the first place ) and thereby increasing the freedom of movement on pivot points.

[newbieguitarmaker]

Originally Posted by jb4674

Check the height on your saddles. Stew-mac makes a tool that measures the radius of the neck in relation to the saddles on the trem:



http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting...us_Gauges.html

Also, check out this page that tells you the correct height for strat trems:

http://fender.com/support/setup/stratsetup.php


Jimmy

sweet, won't i need a straight edge too so I can do neck angle because from looking at it I think it has some up-bow but I need to use a tool to be sure

edit: also I remember the fender book saying the saddles are preadjusted and the string height should be adjusted with the trem studs and the truss rod. But factory setups never seem to be perfect

[waylay00]

Originally Posted by newbieguitarmaker

any dual fulcrum vids for setups around cause i need to lower action on my strat but there is already buzzing >_< the neck is straight too

It's the same concept with a 2 pt fulcrum as it is with a 6 screw one.

[neptoess]

yea but the only problem is since your pivoting on only two points instead of six your claw needs to be straight, even if the trem angle is perfect(and it was when i did it), if the claw isnt straight(the vid shows it angled), you will NOT stay in tune. At least it didn't in my Edge III. Setup for a double locking trem is basically getting the angle right and having the claw straight. A 2 pt strat trem would be identical to this vid except a straight string claw

[Rotti]

Originally Posted by EL-CeeDee

Hmm,.. in the above image, the trem is flat against the body. I did it to mine as well, get it lying on the body as flat as possible. Take out the bar. And you're done! No/little detuning on string snaps!

Well that works but it's not how the trem was designed to be used. It's kind of like blocking your trem on an RG.
Now if you want to use your trem set it up as shown in the video and it will actually stay in tune very well. This is for eveyone who would like to use thier Strat trem but haven't had any luck keeping it in tune.

PS, that is a cool little tool JB. I'd like to get one of those.

[waylay00]

Originally Posted by neptoess

yea but the only problem is since your pivoting on only two points instead of six your claw needs to be straight, even if the trem angle is perfect(and it was when i did it), if the claw isnt straight(the vid shows it angled), you will NOT stay in tune.

Not true...It works fine on a 2 pointer.

I recently set up my Strat as instructed in the video, and my trem hasn't gone out of tune yet, even after the craziest of dives.

[neptoess]

my Edge III goes out though with an unstraight claw

[waylay00]

Must be some other factor then.

[neptoess]

everything is identical, trem angle, action, everything, except the claw is angled like shown and it will NOT stay in tune. Think about it.
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in this diagram equal pressure is pulling on the bridge, meaning it's return to neutral requires all 3 springs to be aligned a certain way, no leeway for being out


[]
|O-----------------|
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|O--------------|
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here the bottom springs are looser, meaning the top one and a tad of the middle is the only thing pulling the bridge back, the bottom one is loose and therefore the bottom stud isnt getting sufficient pressure on it from the claw for return.

All the pressure is equalized between these two points, doesn't matter how much each string is pulling

6 screw, each string pulls each string is relative to each pivot point/screw/stud, meaning the pressure is not equal, but different for each one, so the slant allows for this compensation. My tuning stability was decent with a slant claw but perfect with a straight, so I went that way. The reason it works is simple physics.

[waylay00]

Originally Posted by neptoess

All the pressure is equalized between these two points, doesn't matter how much each string is pulling

Sure it does...Think about it. If your top strings are looser, there is going to be less pressure on the top pivot post, UNLESS you tighten the top springs to compensate. It's quite simple.

[dipstick]

Well I have found with the 2 point Fender trem as with the 6 screw vintage trem if you let the base plate rest on the body and then do your saddle adj the trem will retun to it original neutral (in tune) position.The advantage to having the base plate rest on the body it makes a solid connection between the bridge and body.More vibration = more tone.

[newbieguitarmaker]

Originally Posted by dipstick

Well I have found with the 2 point Fender trem as with the 6 screw vintage trem if you let the base plate rest on the body and then do your saddle adj the trem will retun to it original neutral (in tune) position.The advantage to having the base plate rest on the body it makes a solid connection between the bridge and body.More vibration = more tone.

2 point isnt suppose to rest on the body, it says in my fender book, says like a measurement of height.

[dipstick]

Yeah I know what fender says but I find it works better the other way.

[neptoess]

yea i personally think resting on body would be better for a fender trem, cuz I do bluesy stuff on strats, like double stop bends, not very easy with the trem floating

[neptoess]

resurrecting an old thread but i have my claw angled like the goof in the vid and it really made no difference, i'll change it back to straight once i have time