My Fender breaking itself...

Guinea · 12-09-2007 2:13pm #1

I have a Korean Fender, and I have had it for over a year now. I have changed the strings a fair few times. But the most recent time, the bridge stuck out at a 45 degree angle once the strings were in tune. I have a slight feeling that this is not good/desired. Should I just get more of those springs put in the back, or is the problem more serious than this? Any tips/advice/help is greatly appreciated.

cornbb · 12-09-2007 2:18pm

Did you get heavier gauge strings than you had before? Thats probably what caused it. Its not a big deal tbh. Reverting back to lighter gauge strings will probably return the bridge to its old position.

If you do want to keep using heavier strings its probably a good idea to get the guitar set up by a professional as well as adding extra springs, so your intonation and saddle height will be set correctly.

If you never use your tremolo/whammy bar it might be a good idea to block the tremolo, eg get the bridge permenantly fixed against the body of the guitar by having a block of wood placed in the rear cavity. This will improve your sustain and help the guitar stay in tune.

Voodu Child · 12-09-2007 2:27pm

It's just a case of balancing the tension of the strings with the tension of the springs in the back. You want the bridge to be at 90 degrees to the posts its sitting against for the best tuning stability.

Tightening the trem claw (the springs are attached to this) is usually the first port of call. Theres just a couple of screws you need to drive further into the body.

But if it's sitting up at 45 degrees you must have gone way up in string guage, tightening the trem claw probably wont give you enough extra tension, i'd say you probably want another spring (or two) in there.

No big deal tbh.