Do you use the tremolo bar on your Strat?

Jim · #1 April 14th, 2006

I originally was going to ask just about strats, but this can apply to many other guitars as well. So, the poll question says strats, but answer for any guitar that applies.

I am just curious as to how many people who have guitars (that can use tremolos) leave their tremolo bars on and how many just never use it and remove it. And if you do use the tremolo, do you use it floating or fixed down on the body of the guitar. Hopefully I'll word the questions so they make sense.

I got a Clapton signature strat, which not only came with the tremolo removed (but included) but it also had the tremolo claw inside the guitar blocked with a piece of wood. Clapton never uses the tremolo, but likes the sound of the strat better with the tremolo hardware in place. Currently, I have the tremolo attached and unblocked and floating and I'm enjoying playing with the sounds I can get - but I'm not sure yet if I'll leave it on or not. I'm also not sure if I will leave it floating, or set it fixed.... I want to compare the tone if the guitar each way.

Here goes!
Jim

Rockerbob · #2 April 14th, 2006

Almost never. I have it flat with the top, so it only bends down.

Jim · #3 April 14th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockerbob

Almost never. I have it flat with the top, so it only bends down.

You may not have ever had it floating, but if you did, do you find the Strat has more sustain or a better overall tone with the tremolo flat down with the top (fixed)?

Jim

Rockerbob · #4 April 14th, 2006

I have had it floating, blocked and just tightened. Currently it is just tightened. I have not noticed a difference in sustain. The only real difference I notice is if I hit 2 notes and bend one, with a full floating tremolo the non bent note goes a bit flat. I can't live with that, so I tighten the springs so it sits flat.

737blues · #5 April 15th, 2006

Yep. Being an amateur woodworker, when I get time, I went to a lot of trouble to shape a piece of hard timber to an absolutely perfectly fit and blocked off the tremelo on my Fernandes Strat. Can't say I noticed any difference in sustain either but it does stay in tune better. Only ever used the tremelo to play the intro to Apache anyway before I knew how to do it without .....

munky · #6 April 15th, 2006

I never used the trem on my Strat, and the arm itself was always stored away in my gigbag where it could do the least damage.

Jim · #7 April 15th, 2006

Yeah, that thing with other open notes going flat during a bend is really annoying... I may screw the tremolo back in so it sits flat... I don't know if I want to block it yet or not, although I already have the perfect piece of wood to do it with.

It's been a fun experiment messing with the guitar and changing it on my own - which I never felt comfortable doing on the LP - but I have to do what's best for my playing.

Thanks
Jim

r1p32 · #8 April 15th, 2006

well my ibanez looks just like a strat lol but no i never use the tremolo.. its kinda bothers me wen i play.

allthumbs · #9 April 15th, 2006

Only when i play S.R.V. stuff that calls for it.

Jim · #10 April 15th, 2006

Well, I wish I could change my vote, because after a day of playing, my EC strat is now back to the way Clapton designed it - no tremolo and the mechanism is blocked with the piece of wood. I think the tone is fuller, the bar was in my way and everything stays in tune!!!

Jim

Darkhodge · #11 April 25th, 2006

I rarely even put the arm on! I never had the need for the tremolo bar just due to the stuff I play doesn't require it.

If only I could play Steve Vai then I mite use it!!

Donovan · #12 April 26th, 2006

And I thought the bending-going-flat thing was just poor set-up on my strat copy. Well, I certainly hope the detuning on your guitars isn't as bad as on mine: It's HORRIBLE and worse: most strings STAY flat even if I use it lightly... especially that G-string

I voted no, even though I occasionally screw it in on my Stagg X300. That one's a bit more stable. I'm no Steve Vai, but I enjoy making some crazy sounds with the tremolo now and then. Cool with some wah-wah to go with it (Audioslave's "Be Yourself"

)

scotty_b · #13 April 26th, 2006

Hi guys
I use the trem on my strat, but it is set up so that the bridge is flush on the body.
I have an Ibanez with a Floyd Rose that I use for the Satriani tunes I play

dantalbot · #14 April 30th, 2006

I took the trem arm off my strat and had a few more springs installed in back to pull it flat like a hard tail.

Dan

The Dude · #15 January 4th, 2007

i use mine all the time. have you heard of a hendrix song called "third stone from the sun"? its essential for playing that, along with the right effects pedal