[Jim]

Originally Posted by Ultimate Garage Band

the screws should be about an inch and quarter long. Glad you got it figured out!

Thanks!!!

I had NO idea how long those suckers were, and I was so paranoid that one, or both, of them would be unscrewed too much and come out of the wood - and then I had no idea if the 5 springs back there would make it impossible to get the screw back in, or if I'd have to take it into a repair shop...

Someone else told me to aim for 5/8" to 21/32" between the claw and the body. And that they usually go for a 3/32" bridge height - the manual says 1/8" but those are only 1/32" different and either one would probably be OK...

I must say it's a challenge learning all this stuff - it's not something Fender seems to dish out freely (the info on how to do all this stuff). I think forums like this and google searches are the best bet.

But, I find it fun and satisfying to be setting up my own guitar, tweaking it and getting it to where I want it, rather than having a shop do it. And the strat seems much more accessible for self-setup than the Les Paul does (IMO).

Jim