Guitar re-stringing help?

slipss

Hey, I just re-strung a guitar (fender stratocaster) there yesterday for the first time. I did it like you are supposed to, one string at a time starting at the low E ect. But now that it's strung I just noticed that the bridge is pulled alot, like when you pull on the whammy bar to make the pitch drop, its pulled so far forward that I can't see the place that the strings feed through at the back because that part is now facing too far down towards the bottom of the guitar, instead of facing straight out at 90 degrees. The thing is though all the strings are in tune, so I don't know why they are pulling so tight on the bridge, if that makes sense. Any one have any ideas? Thanks.

Dord

did you change to a different guage of strings than was on it previously?

Voodu Child

If you take the large plastic plate off the back of the guitar, you can see the springs that counter the pull of the strings. Usually there's 3 of them. They attach onto a 'claw' that screws into the body.

Just tighten these screws into the body more, to help pull the bridge back to the angle you want. The best way is to do it gradually - tighten them both a few turns, then retune the strings etc.

Any time you change the strings to ones that are heavier or lighter, you'll need to make this adjustment.

slipss

Cheers I'll give it a shot and let you know how it goes, the strings I put on are 10s, don't have a clue what the old ones were, they came already strung to the guitar.

feylya

Sounds like they were 9's. Make sure to loosen the strings before tightening in the claw at the back. There's a couple of guides in the Resources sticky at the top of this forum that'll help.

Johnny Storm

On a Strat if you get into a cycle of tuning then adjusting the screws then re-tuning etc it can take hours (or longer).

The quick and effective way is as follows:-

1) screw in the screws
2) wedge something under the back of the bridge which holds it at the desired height (Fender spec is one-eight of an inch). I use a stack of business cards of the right height.
3) Tune the strings up to pitch. EDITed to add: if the cards fall out before its in tune, tighten up the screws some more. Also do your usual string stretching at this stage and re-tune. You are now finished with the strings.
4) Unscrew the screws. Keep them even.
5) Keep on slowly and gently unscrewing the screws until the cards fall out from under the bridge.
6) Hey presto! Your guitfiddle is in tune, your bridge is floating at your desired height and it didn't take all day!


If you stay with the same gauge and brand of strings you only have to do this once.

Demeyes

Why loosen the strings before adjusting the claw? I've never done that and i've adjusted bridges plenty of times before.
Also, just make sure you only tighten it a few turns, then tune back up to pitch and leave it settle for a minute. Then do it again and get a bit closer. I've heard of people going way too far expecting it to level out on the first adjustment, before realising that the strings have changed tension/tuning.

feylya

Because if you don't loosen the strings and you tighten the claw too much, strings stop snapping. Plus you're putting less stain on the screw heads which means a reduced possibility of rounding the heads.

Voodu Child

I don't loosen the strings, but I do it in small steps as mentioned.

Its all the same tbh. I just bring the guitar back to pitch after every small adjustment to the springs; so you can see how you're doing in terms of level. Loosening the strings is the same but different order, you're getting ready for re-tuning before tightening the strings. meh, six of one or half-dozen of the other :pac:

If you're afraid of snapping strings, by all means loosen them first; its not one of those points i'd argue about

Demeyes

feylya wrote: »

Because if you don't loosen the strings and you tighten the claw too much, strings stop snapping. Plus you're putting less stain on the screw heads which means a reduced possibility of rounding the heads.

Makes sense, especially if its the first time you try this I suppose.

slipss

Yeah that sorted it out, thanks.