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hey guys, will adding two more springs to the 3 already in my strat change anything sustain-wise?

i got 2 springs handy here, im just wondering what effect putting them in will have..

tom

Well in my experience you can get some but it is little difference.

Most of the string tension is pivoted on the bridge. I think that add/removing springs will not noticeably change the sustain.

However, if adding the string might pull the bridge against the body (preventing raising the pitch with the tremolo) that might add some contact between the body and bridge and be benefitial to sustain and tone.

Nothing tremendous though...

my 2 cents.

Adding two springs, and tightening down the claw, (since I don't use the tremolo), added a noticable improvement to my Johnson Strat. Maybe not earth-shattering, but significant. The notes became richer, and seemed to have more harmonic content. It sounded even more quot;Strat-ishquot;.


Originally Posted by ArtieTooAdding two springs, and tightening down the claw, (since I don't use the tremolo), added a noticable improvement to my Johnson Strat. Maybe not earth-shattering, but significant. The notes became richer, and seemed to have more harmonic content. It sounded even more quot;Strat-ishquot;.

I agree. I screw the bridge baseplate flat to the top of the guitar and use all five springs with alot of tension so my tremolo is barely operable. But I never use it. The guitar sounds better. Less floaty. And the notes rings better amd more in tune because the bridge isn't moving around as much. And it won't move at all when I bend strings with my fingers so I can hold one note in tune and bend another note against it for pedal steel type licks. Lew

I just set mine up with 3 springs, with the claw cranked down pretty tight, bridge flat against the body. It won't go out when I bend strings, but still offers tremelo operation.

On all non-locking trem guitars I've ever had, I used to put in 5 springs and tighten the claw, and I don't notice any difference here. The only things I think make any difference is whether or not the bridge floats, and if you physically block it with a chunk of wood.