Is it possible to stretch out springs when they're off the guitar....?

[TheJazzTerminator]

The subject of the thread says it all. If you take a spring off your guitar, is it possible to stretch it more by bending it and pulling it somehow? Or, is the only way by PLAYING YOUR GUITAR CONSTANTLY?

I'm asking because one of my guitars feels stiffer than all the others (same gauge, same model, same spring formation, same amount of springs). The only difference is that the stiffer guitar has the Edge Pro, which I know has something to do with it. Aside from that, I was wondering if it were possible to stretch out the springs more to make it more 'spongy.' Anyone know?

[Jem#5150]

i don't think you could stretch them out of the guitar without being brutal or damaging the springs. i do remember something being posted in the tech section of jemsite (correct me if i'm wrong) that filing the springs in some way will make them less stiff.

[TheJazzTerminator]

Filing the springs? Hmmmm, interesting. Thanks for informing me of that. Anyone know what Jem#5150 is referring to?

[Active 80's]

well there will be less wire/spring so less tension. but i would suggest simly removing 1 or more springs. in my evh replica i have only 1 spring. you could remove the midle one. but thats only what i would do.

[TheJazzTerminator]

I tried taking one of the springs off and placing the other two in arrow formation. Rich (IbanezRules.com) says on his site that "two springs in arrow formation gives the spongiest feel."

But, when I did this, the trem came forward (obviously because there was less tension on the bridge). I didn't proceed to tighten the screws in to compensate because I figured that, once I tightened the screws in as much as they needed to go to make the bridge parallel, the guitar would simply feel the same as when I had three springs on because the screws would now be in more, i.e., giving more tension, anyway. If that makes sense.... lol

[Active 80's]

well... im a bit confused @ wat u wrote... i hate to say it but i think the arrow shape wont give you the spongest feel... its actually stretching the springs more when you start which could make it HARDER to yank around... it really depends on the spring, but there isnt a standard... try just one spring in the midle... and plz if anyone can help me out on my thread the one that says "HELP!!!" it should be easy to spot since it says "HELP!!!" and then of course you could just click here:
http://www.jemsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65962
sorry im horing that, but i really need to fix it b4 tomorow....

[Jem#5150]

Originally Posted by TheJazzTerminator

I tried taking one of the springs off and placing the other two in arrow formation. Rich (IbanezRules.com) says on his site that "two springs in arrow formation gives the spongiest feel."

But, when I did this, the trem came forward (obviously because there was less tension on the bridge). I didn't proceed to tighten the screws in to compensate because I figured that, once I tightened the screws in as much as they needed to go to make the bridge parallel, the guitar would simply feel the same as when I had three springs on because the screws would now be in more, i.e., giving more tension, anyway. If that makes sense.... lol

well, you should try it anyway. it would be the exact opposite you think. it takes less to open a spring that's already stretched out a little by having in the arrow formation. more springs=more tension, which are in a more closed state therefore giving a more stiff feel. so i would try making the trem adjustments and then seeing if it is any less stiff.

[Rich]

The quote isn't correct, the more open a spring is the easier it will continue to open. It's only slightly nore open in arrow but slight is still more open.

[Mike239]

You could just buy a new set

Just get the ones that have larger coils and the slightly thicker wire they are much better and make your trem easier to use.

[Active 80's]

Originally Posted by Rich

The quote isn't correct, the more open a spring is the easier it will continue to open. It's only slightly nore open in arrow but slight is still more open.

that really depends on the spring. it really does. like a spring with manny coils, will be easier as you go, but one with fewer is easier as you start, but harder as you go... but again there isnt a standard to compare to... and thats only typically... hes going to have to try out a few ways to be sure so...

going by that theory try 1 spring, except diagonal like sooo:
| | screws
------ litle claw thinger (with ground)
kkkk/
kkk/ (the /'s are part of the spring in diagonal fashion)
kk/
k/
/
------ the tremolo thinger
IGNORE THE k's, i couldnt use spaces, and im NOT racist, homophobic, or against jewish people, and i dont like the KKK hypocrits.
so atatch 1 spring on the left most claw or right most, then atatch the spring to the opposit further most hole, or second furthest. I dont suggest doing this unless ur guitar has a lock on the spring, simply because it will be under more stress and what not (for those llitle strat btards running around here)