[Jim]

I took a close look last night at the "“Blocked” American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo" on my EC strat and noticed that the ball end of the strings seemed to just disappear into the interior of the guitar. I'm assuming I have to remove the cover off the back of the strat to change strings - am I correct?

Also - does anyone have experience with how to "un-block" the tremolo if I want to try it out? It came with a separate tremolo bar and it can be screwed in, but there's no movement of the tremolo bridge possible once it's in....

I wish these things came with instructions for us strat-neophytes!

Jim

[Jim]

I figured it out!

Once I got home I saw the slotted holes on the back cover that the strings can go through. I also got the block of wood out and put the tremolo on - as well as putting in a fresh battery. And I got rid of a little buzzing on the low E string.

My only question is how far those two "claw" screws in the back that control the tremolo block can come back and not come out. I don't have as much tremolo as I'd like but I'm afraid of those screws coming out of the wood since I have no idea how long they are. Does anyone know?

Jim

[Goody2shoes]

Thanks Jim - I will have to remember that for when I get My Strat (I Wish!).

See Ya!

[Ultimate Garage Band]

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

[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