giantslayer
Experienced
It is known in the collective of internet guitar knowledge that a Stratocaster bridge can either be "floating" to allow tremolo use or "decked" for stability and arguably better tone (to those people with magic ears like Eric Johnson). The truth is far more nuanced as the tremolo system gives you full adjustability over the amount of tension behind the bridge saddles, which is the one of the main reasons for differences in tone and feel between different bridges (e.g. string-through vs top loader). [Edit: People more knowledgeable on the physics have pointed out that was not accurate. I can't explain the physics, but I do stand by the tone observations I've made here.]
Here is what I have come to contribute, that I have discovered:
1. The effect on tone and playability is dramatic.
2. There is a full spectrum of variation, not just 2 options.
3. Tension of bass and treble strings can be set differently, so we are actually adjusting two variables, not one.
4. There is a sweet spot of total tension. [Edit: For a decked setup. And by "total tension," I mean claw/spring tension, not string tension.]
A tighter tremolo will result in a punchier, stiffer, snappier tone and feel. Stronger note fundamental vs harmonics. Louder acoustic tone at a certain point. If it is too tight, notes start to feel plinky and dead.
A looser tremolo has a loose tone and feel. Strings bend easier. Notes sound airier because a weaker fundamental makes the harmonics more audible. Notes sound smoother, rounder, and less percussive. If it is too loose, notes feel weak and lack punch, snap, or impact.
Yes, these acoustic tone differences DO translate into the plugged-in tone.
When you tighten the tremolo in the back, there are two screws. The one on the side of the bass strings affects those strings more, and likewise for the other on the treble side. I have found that it is better if the treble side is set a little looser than the bass side, although that is personal preference (smoother highs and leads).
I have found there is a sweet spot of total tension, where the instrument sings a little more acoustically and feels more responsive to my playing. It's hard to describe, but there's some magic there that is lost if I adjust one of those screws even a tiny bit. For my strat, it is in a "decked" position, but the tension of the springs still matters past that point (which was honestly a big surprise for me).
Finding the sweet spot is challenging. I tend to focus on the other characteristics I mentioned and the balance of the treble/bass side, and when I suddenly think "ooh, that's really good," that usually means I'm at the sweet spot. From there, I can adjust the balance between bass and treble strings. Taking a smidge off of one and adding to the other sounds simple, but it usually takes me some trial and error to get back to the sweet spot of total tension because it is very small.
A fun little story: I recently adjusted the tremolo on a friend's strat. His was decked too tightly. I changed nothing else (except removing the trem cover). He came back and asked me if I adjusted the pickups because the tone changed so drastically, and asked me if I adjusted the action because the feel and playability had a night and day improvement.
P.S. Yes, Eric Johnson is right: it sounds better without the plastic trem cover. Here's how I figured that out: I tapped the tremolo cover while it was installed and listened to the sound it made. I then played the guitar and realized I could hear that same plastic tone resonating as the instrument was being played. No, I didn't take the time to try to figure out the effect on the plugged-in tone, but if even a tiny bit comes through, I don't want it.
Here is what I have come to contribute, that I have discovered:
1. The effect on tone and playability is dramatic.
2. There is a full spectrum of variation, not just 2 options.
3. Tension of bass and treble strings can be set differently, so we are actually adjusting two variables, not one.
4. There is a sweet spot of total tension. [Edit: For a decked setup. And by "total tension," I mean claw/spring tension, not string tension.]
A tighter tremolo will result in a punchier, stiffer, snappier tone and feel. Stronger note fundamental vs harmonics. Louder acoustic tone at a certain point. If it is too tight, notes start to feel plinky and dead.
A looser tremolo has a loose tone and feel. Strings bend easier. Notes sound airier because a weaker fundamental makes the harmonics more audible. Notes sound smoother, rounder, and less percussive. If it is too loose, notes feel weak and lack punch, snap, or impact.
Yes, these acoustic tone differences DO translate into the plugged-in tone.
When you tighten the tremolo in the back, there are two screws. The one on the side of the bass strings affects those strings more, and likewise for the other on the treble side. I have found that it is better if the treble side is set a little looser than the bass side, although that is personal preference (smoother highs and leads).
I have found there is a sweet spot of total tension, where the instrument sings a little more acoustically and feels more responsive to my playing. It's hard to describe, but there's some magic there that is lost if I adjust one of those screws even a tiny bit. For my strat, it is in a "decked" position, but the tension of the springs still matters past that point (which was honestly a big surprise for me).
Finding the sweet spot is challenging. I tend to focus on the other characteristics I mentioned and the balance of the treble/bass side, and when I suddenly think "ooh, that's really good," that usually means I'm at the sweet spot. From there, I can adjust the balance between bass and treble strings. Taking a smidge off of one and adding to the other sounds simple, but it usually takes me some trial and error to get back to the sweet spot of total tension because it is very small.
A fun little story: I recently adjusted the tremolo on a friend's strat. His was decked too tightly. I changed nothing else (except removing the trem cover). He came back and asked me if I adjusted the pickups because the tone changed so drastically, and asked me if I adjusted the action because the feel and playability had a night and day improvement.
P.S. Yes, Eric Johnson is right: it sounds better without the plastic trem cover. Here's how I figured that out: I tapped the tremolo cover while it was installed and listened to the sound it made. I then played the guitar and realized I could hear that same plastic tone resonating as the instrument was being played. No, I didn't take the time to try to figure out the effect on the plugged-in tone, but if even a tiny bit comes through, I don't want it.
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