Floating trem

[schofnsteen]

Can you tell me how to setup vintage trem to float?Everytime I release the bar I hear the bridge hit the body.

[sylvanshine]

It's all about the springs in the back. Depending on the gauge of strings you use, it could be as simple as loosening the wood screws that hold the spring claw (being careful not to unscrew them too far so that the whole claw comes out).

I've found that removing a spring completely gets you floating faster (it creates less downward pull on the bridge, therefore the strings pull the bridge forward). I try to balance where the springs are to keep more even tension. For example, one spring on each of the outside holes and maybe one in the middle. I then use the claw to make minor adjustments.

Of course, it's a bit of a process to get the bridge where you want it because the spring tension and the string tension are fighting it out. Getting a balance between the two can be frustrating.

I'm sure others here have a different approach, but this works for me. Good luck!

[tom]

here's my standard trem action reply. i should probably revise this as we are setting them up a bit softer these days.
The guitar is setup the way I like to use the trem. This is only one of the ways to setup a trem. I'll give you my logic then explain how to change the setup. I like to do double stop country bends without have the stationary string go flat. I also like to bend a single string with the low E still ringing, without the low E going flat. Lastly I do a lot of drop D tuning. I use the arm for gentle vibrato and have good success with that. An added bonus is that if I break a string, which hasn't happened in a long time, the guitar will not go hopelessly out of tune. All that said, there are two things you can try that might make the feel better for the way you would like it.
First you can try loosening the claw screws on the back of the guitar that controls the spring tension. You'll have to remove the spring plate to get to them. Loosen them about a turn at a time, retuning after each change. Loosen them just until the bridge is barely off the body. You can check this by pushing down on the back of the bridge and listening for a pitch change. This will probably give you the softer feel you are after without the problems associated with a completely floating bridge.
If this is not enough for you, you can keep loosening those screws and retuning till you get to the place you want to go. Keep in mind that the higher you go with the bridge float, the saddles are going up also. If you go very far from flat, you will have to lower the saddles accordingly to have the action remain the same.
If you have any questions along the way let me know. tom

[crash]

And... once you go blocked from to floating and get it all the way you want, you should probably check the intonation just for good measure. Every little change to the bridge position can make a difference.

The good news is it's much easier with a standard trem than with a Floyd (ugh!)