5 things you didn't know about your Fender Strat

[@holstorrsceadus1990]

After watching this I realized I was one of the none of my trem arms have that spring because none of my guitars are new. I just went to my crap drawer and fished out an old empty lighter and took out the spring from under the flint. I cut it down to size and it works perfectly. Made a few with one spring. Thanks Phil.

[@bobholland5302]

I was thinking the same thing about a ball point pen spring.

[@holstorrsceadus1990]

@@bobholland5302 if my wife didn't immediately discard pens the second they start to fail I'd have a bunch of those in the crap drawer too. I strip everything.

[@Astro_touches_children]

I brought this video back up looking for your comment ( I don't play dive bombs, but keeping options open is always wise) thanks for the tip.🎸

[@weedian710]

Hell yeah! Thank you!!!

[@Dave-tw9ib]

@@bobholland5302 not a chance those springs a weeeeak

[@danewilbanks1]

Well first off I didn't know I had a fender strat

[@funkyfurballs1078]

You must have the Acrylic Lucite model... Feel around, you'll find it!

[@anthonyyongfeng]

Jajajajajajajaja

[@HaroldPotato191919]

Nice R6!

[@danewilbanks1]

Harold B Thank you!

[@gibek2600]

i just wanted to say the same thing :D

[@shadowcircus]

Wow, been playing a Strat for over 30 years, and you've addressed pretty much every annoyance I've had! Thanks!

[@DANEXIOyt]

This video slowly went from being "Things you didn't know about Stratocaster" to "How to fix problems with your Stratocaster"

[@edryba4867]

There’s an old Strat player’s trick (for when that little spring doesn’t exist), you can wrap the threads on the tremolo bar with something that plumbers use… Teflon Tape! You can get it at any hardware store that sells plumbing supplies. Wrap some Teflon Tape twice around the threads (three times at the most) and that will keep that whammy bar from just swinging freely. The tape (which is not sticky in any way) adds just a little bit of friction to the threads. This prevents the bar from dropping to a “straight down” position when you let go, and keeps your tremolo bar in whatever position you left it. It won’t damage the threads (it’s just a very thin plastic), so the threads will stay like new as long as you have that Strat! The piece of Teflon Tape in my Strat has been there for at least 15 years! File this trick under “easy fixes”.

[@willcupa]

You can also use any little spring, like those in color pens, i used one like that on my strat

[@Juno58]

Another good thing of the teflon tape is, it prevents the trem arm from wobbling in the thread.

[@mford9029]

Plumbers rock!

[@snottyboy9983]

Me with a squier telecaster: "hmm yes, ah, I see oh hmm yes yes"

[@mihaelurasek6262]

Me with player series telecaster: this video is interesing, this guy put a lot of effort to fix all problems, for a 1200€ guitar.

[@arinovick3899]

Same I have a classic vibe tele though

[@snottyboy9983]

@@arinovick3899 Woah there buddy who said I didn't too? 😏

[@arinovick3899]

@@snottyboy9983 ah yes but I didn't say which decade

[@snottyboy9983]

@@arinovick3899 well I didn't think it was relevant so I didn't ask or state the decade.

[@liamtahaney713]

I guess that spring explains why Americans are 3 times as much...one hell of an expensive spring

[@psilocypher]

$5.79 on amazon

[@faustoorieta]

you paying for that sweet fender logo bro!

[@Quicksilver_Cookie]

It's all in small details, you can't possibly explain it to anybody with a picture or description. I like Mexican Strats as much as the next guy, but once you pick up one side by side with something like American Standard(whatever that model is now) you can instantly feel the difference. The fit, finish, hardware quality. All you have to do is rub your hand against the edge of the neck and you can instantly tell which has better fretwork. It's the little things. Does it make American models 3 times better? Hardly. Even owning one I can say that in terms of value it's not as good as a Mexican models. But you always pay unproportionally more for incremental improvements in every product category. Is 1000 dollar phone twice as good as 500 dollar one? It almost never is, but that's how much they want for a slightly better product.

[@milan_musi7044]

I once ordered a pack on the site of a big European retailer. Cost 7€ for a pack of 12, so I thought, wow, kinda expensive. And then shipping costs, so it was something like 10€. I had to add a tech 21 rk5 fly rig to the basket to save at least the shipping costs. Springs and pedal were good purchases.

[@peacewalkr]

@conquester t h a t s t h e j o k e

[@HumanTimeMachine]

What bothers me is when you spend $1600 on an electric guitar and then start diy on it for things that should be resolved at that price point.

[@אריק-צ5ר]

Another good reason to play a PRS.

[@JeserNoob]

@@אריק-צ5ר or G&L

[@DoctorEnigma01]

Or quit crying and practice, gee sorry the guitar manufacturers didn’t consult with you first

[@kingvkelly2313]

@@DoctorEnigma01 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Anjohl]

*Shudder*, there's never a reason to play a PRS, unless you were given one for free, and even then, you're better off passing that curse on to someone else, and using the proceeds to buy two guitars that will both be better than the PRS!

[@Boywellesley13]

You can use a rubber o-ring under the knobs instead of the foam to keep from accidentally moving them, also works for your pedals.

[@tmoss89]

Lol

[@Rikamortis6stringer]

Thats what I've used forever.

[@RayLawrenceJrMUSIC]

Grolsch beer washers perhaps? I think the foam is less abrasive.

[@rickroche8860]

Good job - I actually learned something! Been playing for over 65 years, Strats and Teles, and your information was eye opening! I went the foam pad route with the springs, and just learned to avoid the vol control on strats, but the foam ring is cool . . .

[@kilgoretrout3966]

"Don't want it swinging, but still want it stiff"..... All respect, but i was eating, and nearly did a spit take laughing.

[@robertlofgran8871]

Dig the Vonnegut reference dude. 👍😎

[@eddyvideostar]

Kilgore Trout: I sense a little subliminal Freudian, along with your laughter expressing your joy and g....y.

[@mihneazoican2479]

1:58 "you get stiff right away"

[@anotherwaytafkash]

Playin a strat is sexy .. that i what he ment...😬

[@bipbipletucha]

169th like

[@adaptiveagile]

This tutorial was excellent. I ordered Fender trem springs right away. Made such a difference. But a word of caution using foam products inside the trem tension springs: certain types of foam products disintegrate--or "rot"--over time, leaving you with a sticky, gooe mess that is very hard to clean up. This has happened with so many of my stored products, and even includes certain rubberized plastics like those used as camera grips. The consistency is visibly identical to tar, and I think it's safe to assume these chemicals are petroleum based..

[@richard66754]

Love the foam under the volume knob trick. I have an Ingwie loaded pick guard with a low friction pot that moves if you breath on it. If Fender would get pots that turn the other way, the strat players through the years might not have turned their knob down by accident.

[@tonysansom]

Interesting to learn about the tremolo spring. In the mid-80's I bought a brand new Japan Strat and as you said, it had no spring. In fact, I didn't know they existed until watching this video.

[@jaybarber68]

I’d never been aware of that either.

[@Kat-Kobold]

Me with my Epiphone SG "interesting"

[@redautumn5441]

@@Haha-Jim ur so cool dude 😱😱

[@quinn.0]

why do people like SGs? the shape always threw me off idk why

[@Kat-Kobold]

@@quinn.0 it's partially because of the guitar's reputation, having been closely associated with both Tony Iommi and Angus Young, as well as the neck profile making it easier to play

[@coupe-lee]

@@quinn.0 in terms of sound and playing comfort they’re pretty decent since they’re sort of like a lighter les paul, but they’re twice as fragile! Since there’s less wood at the neck joint, you basically have to rely 100% on the glue to hold the two pieces together.

[@precisionbrown6829]

@@quinn.0 yep I thought the same thing for many years. Then I just bought one

[@BradleyFelton]

I feel like this is more of a “how to fix annoying issues” video than it is a “things you didn’t know” video. Regardless, great video that provided some really cool and super useful info!

[@griff2712]

I've been playing guitar for over 23 years in different bands, places, environments. Never have I had the honour of being in the company of someone with your knowledge. Mr McKnight, you are awesome. :)

[@uncoolrunnings]

These are all reasons I love the Telecaster. Few moving parts, strings through the body. They got it right the first time.

[@bladerunner3887]

Yes

[@pierreraymond822]

I’ve been cutting apart pickguards and replacing parts on Strats since 1984 and you blew my mind. 1) The trem issue was a problem that I gave up on and simply twist it so it's locked facing around 8’oclock. 2) I do love the onboard spring reverb tank (ahem, thought I only knew about that) but some of my Strats have 4 tight springs = IMO perfect reverb effect but little divebombing ability and some have 3 loose springs = too much booing!, now I will experiment with this muffling technique. 3) Foam under the volume knob (AKA tone) is really nice trick. PS: Love your KZbins - you’re very pleasent to watch and learn. Keep on pickin’.

[@rw8017]

This video blew my mind! When I got my '62 reissue, I don't recall a sticker so always thought the tremolo was just a bit "janky" as I didn't have the spring in place - pretty much kept me from ever using it. And the tricks for keeping the knobs more fixed and keeping the springs from being so noisy - such great ideas Phil. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us. 😃

[@johnvcougar]

Yep, knew it all, and NEVER dampen the springs! That's part of the beatific character of the Strat! I love the light reverb the springs give ... some guys even go to trouble to amplify the springs (LOL). Each to their own.

[@AnimilesYT]

7:06 "a lot of guys have the same problem. When they're strumming they hit their knob". I don't know how you play guitar, but I think it's quite the challenge to hit your knob xD

[@ishrakahmedresham9403]

Well, honestly, I hit the knob very often too man. I've noticed that almost all strats have the volume knob placed very close to the strings which actually gets hit almost every time you're trying to play something on the higher strings...

[@jwaller1231]

When I had a Strat, I hit it more then I cared to. Watch Keith Urban play his. He is constantly turning it back up with his pinky. Could just be a fidget thing, but I noticed he messes it all the time.

[@ziyyp]

Ikr maybe that how some player play a strat. Its quite challenging for me to actually. I cant imagine strumming at the same time hitting the knob. I guess for some people, they like to strum close to the bridge thats why

[@keffus7]

I actually got the joke. LOL.

[@johnnieguitar5724]

I've played a Strat, mostly lead work, for about 50 years, and quickly adjusted the length of my strum so that it doesn't hit my volume knob. Hello?!

[@lloydwoodward4415]

Nice to see a knowledgeable presentation without the vulgar language usually used. Great job Phil.Thanks

[@lr6884]

Fuckin' aye, right?

[@royalmorehead2110]

Sadly, some people can't talk without vulgarity.

[@paulstearne1]

Why does it matter?

[@frankyjr888]

The tip with the spring is unbelievable, that's exactly what I was looking for on my Yamaha Pacifica 112V BL RL. I just had to close the hole in the bottom of the tremolo block. Thanks, Phillip

[@cropcircle5693]

It is amazing how the people at guitar stores as Fender dealers don't know about the spring in the tremolo. This is the first I'm hearing of this and I've recently been in to two stores to sort out my used Strat tremolo bar issues. This is the exact problem solved.

[@thestinkywetbandit8388]

“You get stiff right away”

[@davidvelox224]

That’s what I call Quality

[@noahtaylor8673]

I already knew that about my strat

[@davidvelox224]

Noah Taylor you got stiff immediately?

[@noahtaylor8673]

@Lincoln Onion /r/wooshergotwooshed

[@acedvulpes2759]

Lincoln Onion, just stop R/wooooshing people, also r/wooshwith4o’s

[@guitarhiker4449]

Hey thanks for the video I've been playing strats for years now and I only knew one of those tricks lol. Learn something new everyday ! Rock on !

[@eranmontiel]

On Fender's website, they recommend that trem bridges should have a 1/8th inch gap from the body. The bridge should not be flat on the body.

[@PhillipMcKnight]

+Eran Montiel I understand

[@axleblaze123]

Bridge flat against the body just like the the old school john mayer strats

[@gmlasam]

+Eran Montiel Rubbish…its personal preference. Having the bridge flat to the body allows the guitar to resonate more gives better sustain, its similar to playing a hard tail strat. Notice why a tele seems to sustain and resonate better than a strat?

[@eranmontiel]

+gmlasam oh for sure there are a number of ways you can set up your guitar, I was just relaying what fender days on their site as to the standard setup.

[@oyhe94]

+Eran Montiel That is correct, but that gap is supposed to be caused by the spring tension and the string tension, causing the bridge to float. Not the screw pushing the bridge down in the front.

[@bcoll1082]

I have always had the issue of turning down the volume. I remove a tone, move the volume down, and run one master tone as I never use both together anyway. I set the trem to the body, use 5 springs, and run the trem spring claw right in close. Afterwards I do a complete setup with 11's and my strats are killer to me. I get perfect intonation and the sweetest tone (to my ears). I give the tone's credit to heavier strings, not using a pick, and EMG SA pups. Not crazy about the battery part of having actives, BUT they make for great noise free output, and and the tone is amazing. I highly recommend trying them.

[@alansturgess1324]

Packs of the trem springs very affordable - I got mine from Amazon UK. You get enough in the pack to suit even the most clumsy-fingered. One point that's rarely mentioned for anyone who decks the Strat bridge by tightening the the spring claw and pulling the bridge flush onto the body is that access to the holes for removing or installing strings can move too far forwards to be accessible via the slot or holes in the backplate. I simply bought a replacement plate and adapted it but kept the original in the case for any future owner who wants to reinstate the trem.

[@danbeck3166]

I put ciggarette filters in the springs...to shut them up...doing that since the 70s... good video

[@ivandeus]

+dan beck i use plastic tube isolation stripped down from network twisted pair cable

[@danbeck3166]

That will work..

[@j.d.schultzsr.9215]

@Gevalt, Of course they touched tobacco!! You only use filters you find in the ashtrays of the Kit Kat Klub or on the street!! After they drag them down a gravel road, that helps the antiqued "custom shop" guitars get that lovely roadworn patina that cost an extra few hundred bucks.

[@jacksondemarre8057]

You should do 5 Things you didn't know about a Gibson Telecaster.

[@dylonoverton3738]

Gary Waits stop

[@jacksondemarre8057]

MrPoopyPants You mad bro?

[@dylonoverton3738]

Gary Waits triggered

[@jacksondemarre8057]

MrPoopyPants So you are mad, bro.

[@li7719]

Gary Waits i agree

[@SteveStell]

sometimes i like the spring noise. its like natural built in spring reverb especially on super resonate notes. good tips to get rid of the noise regardless. nice foam volume knob trick too.

[@RAevenman]

But other times, it creates an audio pitch that is out of tune with what being played in my experience.

[@narkoticssodoma408]

THIS i cant udnerstand people who like the noise that sometimes come from the springs, gives kind of a dissonant chorus that fucks up with your ears even if you really aint noticing it

[@don22b]

The stat Chat...LEAVE THE SPRINGS ALONE....that's the magic

[@michaelb.4210]

I agree, unless we are talking about something more intense that I haven't experienced yet, I always thought it was what gave the strat a more complex, jangly character. Especially strumming. It's like a subtle pseudo accoustic effect. I mean, if he is just saying every strat needs this done by default I don't really agree, I think it would make the tone more generic.

[@NeonBlade]

Watched the first 30 seconds of this and went straight on eBay and bought one of those springs for $1 plus $2 postage. I've owned several Strats, never a brand new one, didn't know those screws existed. Thanks!

[@o.w.dobbins6927]

(Springs).

[@russk1971]

Any local die repair / die tool shop will have a spring that works...

[@gregs2466]

I bought a used strat but it will not be here for another day. I had to go out and buy a new tremolo arm (didn't have one) but the other ideas were great too. You are the first of my line into knowing my new strat! Thanks

[@thepaulhowell]

Thanks! I just added a spring to my Floyd Rose and now it works the way I always thought that it should!

[@stevenstokes8148]

really good info I've been playing for 20 yrs and didn't know these tricks. now I can apply them ty good video

[@reachableapp7463]

Hey Steven! You can actually get a quick response from Phil and answers to your questions by joining his Reachable community here: home.reachableapp.com/?Name=phil%20mcknight Phil also talks about the launch of his Reachable community here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6mrfneKpcSCaJI.

[@tomfilipiak690]

How do you keep from losing the tremelo spring?! It's so small! My 1984 Squier Strat (Japanese) didn't come with the spring. Here's a great solution. Apply some teflon tape to the thread to give a little material to give friction/fill to the threads. I've found this works pretty well.

[@ants6431]

Tom Filipiak k

[@ants6431]

J

[@joebloggs1444]

Wonderful tips. I've played strats for over 35yrs and done all of them at different times. I'd also add in that 5 trem springs sound better than 3 and they also create better tuning stability. Best gtrs on the planet!! 🎸😎

[@spookybaba]

I take it that you've only ever played Strats.

[@mksounds6326]

Been playing Strats for 30 years. That string/foam trick is awesome. Thanks for the video. Happy Holidays from the Bay Area! MK

[@asmo_1929]

I don't know why i'm watching this, i have a Les Paul

[@Mike.Nov51]

I heard Leo had a Paul way back

[@tripleforcium8003]

I have a Telecaster

[@allsafe1]

Yawn !

[@marcusm5523]

@showlogicprod skill is not dictated by tone. Literally the dumest thing I've read in a guitar thread before.

[@marcusm5523]

@showlogicprod lol so defensive. Carry on with that expert tone! Also, music isn't a competition - maybe one day you'll realise that and actually enjoy it...

[@thelespauldude3283]

i lost the spring for the tremolo. I used one from a pen haha

[@tylerdeavitt6728]

smart!

[@HankCScorpio]

if you have one from a pen, then you its not doing anything. Those springs are not strong enough to give you any benefit.

[@onpsxmember]

Exactly, they can fall apart inside and are often hard to get out. A good one will last a long time. Can i have a flamethrower now, Hank?

[@SVNFLDFN]

CROWjunkie same!

[@SVNFLDFN]

HankCScorpio actually they are. Mine works just fine with my pen spring lol. It doesn't really take a whole lot for it to work. Now it may not be as perfect and it may not last as long. But it does work just fine

[@kungpuk5186]

That ringing sound is why you play a strat! You don't want to take that away + If you use a six screw bridge you just pivot on the two outer screws, not all six.

[@woodyforest2100]

Excellent tips Phil! I am doing most of these tomorrow on my “Magnificent 7” Strat! The one I won’t need to do is the spring in the trem arm because they somehow fixed the pop-in arm to where it stays where you leave it. They might have fixed it in all Elites? The volume knob has been making me crazy! Love your channel!

[@mentula3784]

I've been subscribed for years and only just realised my Mexican strat needs a spring not a new trem block. Thanks Phil!

[@michaelmattson3515]

A quote from Leo Fender......” all my guitars were custom made , I cussed every one of them” . Pretty close from l remember reading years ago.

[@shethinksimironman]

"stiff right away" (Sorry Im immature)

[@slatermclatchey2294]

at least your honest

[@stevesalisbury8206]

+Dillion The Hacker lol

[@jordanols]

I was literally just scrolling down to write something similar haha.

[@TheJofrica]

THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID

[@mattsmachines]

"some guys when they strum, they hit their nob"

[@tasrex]

nice video, but it makes me think that Fender itself should've already taken care of those little details like about 30 years ago...

[@DX5555555]

Sorry wouldnt be a Strat if it didnt have these quirks.

[@autocrow]

Didn't know about the spring, so I put a spring from a ball point pen into mine and it's awesome. I thought it would fall out in transport, but the spring became caught up in the hole. It's so nice to have the trem arm up and ready, rather than dangling straight down.

[@BrianJohnson-cj8xf]

Not 30 minutes ago I was playing and I am hearing crackling ... I watch this and you go BOOM STATIC GUARD .... Thank You Phil ... Your a Guitar God !!!!

[@prestonmcduffie5438]

I have been keeping up with you and what you're doing for some time and I'm extremely impressed and above all your a likable guy with plenty of knowledge and I appreciate what you do I wanted you to know that thank you...

[@Exakta66]

The only real mod I've ever done to my Strat is I added one wire so that one of the tone knobs works on the bridge pickup...I found that to be worthwhile...

[@doitnowvideosyeah5841]

Never understood why the pick up that needs treble attenuation has no tone control

[@andrewvitale2700]

If you use little blue springs and it stays stiff for 4 hours or more contact your nearest Luther.

[@dayodayo256]

Using the little spring in the trem arm hole makes a squeak noise when the bar is moved. It’s better to wrap the bottom of the trem arm grooves with pipe tape. There are different thicknesses and you can decide what works for you. Keeps the trem arm right where you need it and the arm is super responsive to touch. No gap in that slot. I’ve done that for player’s guitars and they agree it works great. Give it a try and see if you like it

[@steveindorset]

Thanks Dude, I’ve had my USA Strat since 93 I never knew I was missing a spring on the trem?? The tricks with the foam on the volume pot and springs are just awesome! Those spring noises always drove me nuts and I’m always knocking the volume!

[@loudguitar]

I like the trem spring vibration. It's like a "reverb" in the guitar and part of the sound of the guitar.

[@derekbiggerstaff]

+Randy McRae You dampen the springs and to my ears it's not a strat any more.

[@rictube4716]

Agreed, the springs are a part of the whole sound.

[@zoomosis]

+Randy McRae I'm not sure how much the trem springs can influence the overall tone electrically, given how far the trem springs are from the pickups. I'm not really a fan of the ringing sound they put out acoustically, so I prefer to dampen them on most of my guitars. Each to their own, though!

[@loudguitar]

+zoomosis It's not an electronic influence. It's acoustic, and you can hear it both plugged and unplugged. I feel it's part of the sound of the guitar. I am blessed with a Strings and Things Custom Blues King III that I have had since 1984. The best "Strat" I have ever owned. It is relatively light, ash, and has almost an acoustic vibe to it. I have always kept the bridge tight against the body, never using the trem. The "spring ring" is like a built in reverb and I like it.

[@merkn247]

jonas brave this is true no two electrics ever sound completely alike

[@haveguitar]

well, that's the explanation to spring I found when I got a strat recently... 😎 good and informational video, thanks!

[@lewiswilliams4595]

"A lot of guys accidentally hit their knob while strumming"

[@rightdirectionadvisors5165]

I hit my knob strumming daily. Lol

[@HughJitsu]

@1:59 "... you get stiff right away..."

[@ricardorchicagorealtor7694]

One of the most frustrating things about playing a strat, I hit it every time I play 😫

[@jonnifjader]

@lester willimams giggity..

[@williamsporing1500]

Stupid placement for pickup selector! I’m thinking about putting a prs rotary know on mine

[@OldStreetDoc]

Using the little spring with the trem arm also allows you to have a bit more space between the trem arm & the bridge and body. Sometimes in order to have the trem arm fairly secure and not loosely swinging around, you have to screw it in so much that it seems almost too low to have a finger between the arm and the body. The spring takes up the space enough to keep the trem arm at an ‘altitude’ that’s a little more comfortable. If you don’t want to use it but also don’t want to lose it - you can take a piece of tape & secure it to the backside of the rear cover plate. Just a thought… Always enjoy your tips & tricks, Phil! 👍🏼🎶

[@30yearslater27]

This video has been on my suggested videos for at least a year. I watched it, I liked it, I'm a subscriber... I don't need to watch it every day, though...

[@wesmatron]

When playing a Les Paul I always get the feeling that the most expensive part is the name on the headstock. Same with Fenders

[@acegibson9533]

Then don't play a Les Paul or a Fender. Problems solved.

[@l4lo678]

4JayeP Borden epiphone ftw

[@Pindakaaspot]

Only thing that's really worth the money is the pickups which you can just put in a squire.

[@TheGeamic3]

@@acegibson9533 mijmi

[@kristourangeau6572]

Not true...literally everything is way better quality. You can feel the difference between the 2 when playing. You make less mistakes playing a fender. It’s more effortless then a squire.

[@yesyes1766]

DOES THAT MEAN I LOST THE SPRING

[@KevinGallant10]

I feel ya, never knew about till now but feels like I've been missing so much

[@maykel_192]

you can just take the spring of a pen

[@denniswalsh8476]

@@maykel_192 no where stiff enough, (there is also a ball bearing with the spring). New kits also have a small disk magnet to cover the hole to use over the hole to (help) keep the spring from getting lost. It's about $10.

[@bantalee2002]

lol,.perhaps the janitor at the last gig you performed at, found the spring and is now scratching his head contemplating where it came from.

[@memeshack9454]

I lost mine too

[@stankfanger1366]

Dude is like the Martha Stewart of the guitar world. Knows how to do pretty much everything better, cheaper, and faster.

[@charlie.cheshire]

Young Frankenstein I guess you could say he knows his gear...

[@garyswann9756]

I

[@vicparsons5498]

why are u using a licensed photo im going to sue you! LOU!

[@danielmiller2886]

How did you possibly make tye tremelo bit without cracking up saying "if you like it stiff"? Love your videos!

[@packingten]

I have a Fender 50th anniversary....hands down the best guitar I EVER played. I simply cannot find one fault with it...thank you..

[@thisoldditty]

very interesting love the foam doughnut trick, and the spring silencer, very nice.

[@klauswhitedreamer]

thank you for the tip with the little spring, so brilliant ... why Fender doesn't put them in every tremolo system ?

[@therideneverends1697]

What do you think that spring is? part of the design so that its not loose. all strat trems are intended to have them

[@TheAndyroid]

Because that spring costs £300, why else do you think USA guitars cost so much more?

[@gaborporempovics2415]

+Boodysaspie I bet in modern tremolo systems they are using fine thread. Fine thread provides better fit. However, a mechanical engineer like me would never use a thread for positioning. Threads have different function. It is just an easy and cheap design. For the price of an American strat they could offer something better, but that's the traditional design... :D

[@therideneverends1697]

Boodysaspie Honestly i think its because most players dont use it, therefore it goes undernoticed. then theres the "IT HAS TO BE VINTAGE SPEC!" thing that limits the market sevearly at times, if the improved the system to much people would complain its to far off from the origonals. honestly the fender mustang trem attatchment method was better, put it in, tighten down a screw with an allen key that has a headpiece that fits in a grove cut in the bar. Allows you to move it, but still keep it in place, basicaly, as flexable as you want it to be. Put that on a strat an we are golden. Hi have mine cranked down on my home build so it only moves when moved by hand.

[@stajborquez3536]

Andre Krumins

[@worldmenders]

Rubber "O" rings, from your local hardware store, are much more durable for adding friction to the volume knob.

[@oneofthemodels]

Bingo that's a great idea those won't wear out quick!!

[@gatsu8634]

Just changed the tremolo cover on my Stratocaster for the first time in five years a few weeks ago and was wondering, "why the heck did i put foam inside the springs? well, i'm sure it's for a reason, i'd better leave it that way". Halfway through the video I realize I put foam inside the springs because last time I watched this video was 5 years ago xD Thanks for the great tips! Timeless tutorial!

[@rico00042]

1. Holy crap! Mex thanks you for this, spring on the way. 2. Way ahead here. the shielding in the mexican strat was just a bit of foil tape and sounded like deathmetal in the basement, so I did a total overhaul of bay shielding, push pull pickup switching with mid reverse and series added bridge pickup, star grounding, 0-100% volumes, and much improved hand selected caps for grease bucket tone circuits and kept the 100% original look. 3. one does not mess with the bridge wood screws unless absolutely necessary(fear). The string tension and spring choices actually raises the bridge. 4.The bridge springs are a free spring reverb man! Nice tip though, you can bet I'll try it one day. 5. Quality pots will also work to stop looseness (see mods)

[@henryssurfshowcase]

Good tips! And yes I'm the guy always bumping that volume knob-

[@3RingRaiders]

me too thanks for the advice Phil

[@freshcaughtbass]

wow, i never knew that about the tremelo arm spring....and it has always bothered me. thank you! now i need to find one that fits. as far as dampening the tremelo block springs, well i think those springs are (a small)part of the magic of the strat tone...

[@1958marky]

Fender offers them in a 5 pack and you can get them on Ebay for about 8 bucks --- handy little spring and does just what it's supposed to...

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

I feel like a dumbass never realizing a spring was suppose to go in the trem arm. Phil, another great vid

[@JTaylor1989]

I'm glad I'm not the only one.

[@drmoshie]

to be fair it's a terrible design

[@jimmyjamesguitarshack3343]

Good thing is you can buy 5 packs of them as well!

[@throwitinthebinUnt]

if you lose the spring, all good.. the solution? ... More Foam!!

[@danielcardinale4562]

and thank you for providing a link so we can purchase one!

[@colinkhan2936]

Thanks Phillip, your tips are great and you've taught me a lot about the strat! Keep it up!

[@brianperetti5980]

Philip McKnight, thank you for the little tremolo arm spring tip! I was wondering what that thing was for, and yes, I have that droopy arm problem! Let’s see if it works...

[@menofsticks]

I'm not putting foam in my springs. That's my reverb tank!

[@bachrocktheamericahatersan5799]

Yeah, I never had an issue with that either but I can see where it might come in handy for other players. To each their own, eh?

[@RiffLair]

Haha,, yep...

[@hairyoldhippy]

Absolutely! It’s not commonly appreciated that the springs add resonance, albeit an accident of design.

[@justinngariki]

Yep. I block the trem but keep the springs. I also leave the cover plate off so I can "play" them (add some reverb and hit 'em hard, it gives an ungodly great krangggggg). Sounds totally different to a hard tail strat.

[@MatthewDRocks]

Same here Justin, blocked trem w/ springs. I don't know if it makes a difference or not but I feel cool saying it and makes people around me think that I know something about guitars, which of course I don't. At all.

[@PaulRoseGuitar]

That tremolo spring idea is excellent. I'm going to try that, thanks

[@MrGul]

+Paul Rose Indeed, it's a great solution. I'm just wondering why this problem hasn't already been adressed by Fender (and other guitar companies) already? I mean, this has been a problem ever since the spring-based tremolo was first invented - so why not manufacture new springs that have had the proper silencing treatment? I just can't see why it's not in the companies' best interest to have the best product available...

[@PikkaBird]

1:59 that's what she said...

[@BrandonBailey2113]

+PikkaBird bwahaha!

[@jeremya9535]

I didn't even know he said that until I read your comment

[@TheJofrica]

6:47 also :)

[@deathamphetaminez]

TheJofrica x

[@mickolszewski2520]

You are right on the money in all categories. ! I've been a Guitar maker for the likes of Anderson, BC Rich, Ibanez (CS), Fernandes (CS), to Zamitas, in the ranks of well crafted guitar manufactures. As well as a personal guitar tec. to many known players like: AC/DC, Eric Johnson, Joe Joe Satriani i, Mike Landau, Steve Lukather, Peter Frampton, John Fogerty, ZZ Top, & so many more. In saying that, I have all had, & handled all kinds of guitars, & during the 80's, thru the 90's, & beyond. I've seen, & handled a vast amount of different guitars, & I've been trained to look at guitars in way others just don't see. That because when you build & work on them every day, you come to recognize all the little details, things, that many others don't see right off, & so many, that it just hurts to think about. Like a sweet neck joint, different metals used of different countries, to the over all scheme in that it becomes part of your everyday protocol. I own Gibsons, & Epiphone's, Fenders (US), & over seas Fenders, like Squires & so on. I've found in all these companies, that their are a many great lines of products & in the US, a lower value of American productions, & an up side to over seas guitars being poor, & are now putting out excellent work in craftsmen ship, & materials, It's really up to the individuals that run the factories, & your very own attention to the details that make a well crafted production unit. I think the overseas guitars are raising the bar, & that was what I saw in Japan's made fenders, that are now excepted as an almost on Par, or are considered as equal in craftsmanship. ! The Indonesian guitars are putting out fantastic products, with acceptable electronics & If the electronics are not so great, & like race car builders, just pull off the junk, & upgrade the unit to your own ideals & equipment, instead of others making the decisions for you. ! The overseas models aren't afraid to try out elements that aren't vary well excepted on the US models. Like the ULTRA, Epiphone Les Paul guitars, with the Acoustic Simulated PU. Push Pull pots, Color choices, and models not produced in the US. Take it as you will, but I own US, Japanese, Indonesian, Korean (That's South Korea), & other made models that have been produced remarkably well. You can find excellent, & crap come out of all factories, & yes, even the US, just look at the work Peavy did here before their rebirth at the mid, to late 80' & beyond. ! Know what features are important to you, & focus on quality, & modify when needed, as these foreign models are great for modifying with out fear of ruining a classic domestic model like US Fender's, & Gibson's etc . . . PS : I like your informative video, & helps people make decisions that might of been a bit shaky before watching yous Vid's, & perhaps now feel more comfortable in knowing their own gear, an important mind-set . . ! Thanks for your time, & Best Regards to you all , Tab Howard

[@ctrymusicfan8880]

I found an old fashioned black sink, faucet washer works well as a replacement knob also. I'm a lefty player and used to play my Strat. upside down and this helped me not to turn the knobs accidently.

[@fishypaw]

No5 is a good one. One of my strats the volume pot moves too easily. I've been looking for solutions but till now not seen any. Regarding the trem spring, it doesn't work on my MIM strats as the hole goes all the way through and the spring falls out. I just use the old plumber tape and it works fine.

[@chickentenders4725]

hahaha Teflon don

[@calvinscheuerman]

+fishy paw mim strats made before 2006 have holes that go all the way through, but i believe they changed this on all or most mim strats after '06. do you know what years your mexican strats are?

[@shaunw9270]

+fishy paw Yes the older MIM's have a different block. As you said PTFE tape or Rizlas should work: Thats how I secured the switch tip on my '52 re-issue Tele :-)

[@moreanimalspirits]

Just get rid of all the knobs, the tremolo arm, those extra pickups...

[@tezzo55]

+moreanimalspirits You're not here for the bear hunting, are you? :-)

[@whitedevil2]

so does that tremelo arm spring not work on a MIM strat? there is a hole in the bottom of that opening so when i put the spring in, it just falls out the bottom.

[@jakethomas6138]

Some of the earlier 90s mex had a hole in the bottom, so you cant add a spring, but im pretty sure all recent ones are solid!

[@whitedevil2]

mine is a '10

[@ironmanmachine]

whitedevil2 tap the hole and put set screw in it.

[@epipick]

My MIM Strat came with an Easy-mute tremelo.

[@St0ned_Sl0an]

I have a fender starcaster that looks exactly like a strat, does that count?

[@croftperkins]

Yup. I just rebuilt mine. All these things still apply.

[@jonathanstatman82]

never knew about the static issue. just had that issue for the first time. I used a dryer sheet with a little plastic baggie as a barrier so as to not get any gunk on the guitar. worked like a charm

[@IsaiahGranger]

I have a mystery for you - purchased a 2016 Eric Johnson Rosewood Strat in Lucerne Aqua Firemist color. It’s one of the ones with the binding on the sides of the fretboard. This is the 3rd EJ that I’ve owned, so I am relatively familiar with the ins and outs of it. Funny thing…I noticed that the tips of the magnet poles in the pickups were actually beveled, so did a quick comparison to my others. Turns out, the other EJ pickups that I have are flat, non-beveled at the magnet ends. My next step was to look under the hood. On the one in question, all 3 have the rectangular ‘Fender Custom Shop’ decal on them, with the bluish markings on the underneath side of the pole pieces. Everything about these scream Fender Fat ’60 pickups like what can be found on the Fender Postmodern Custom Strats from around 2015 (not the EJs that have specific markings on the bottoms). My luthier says that all the solder points were straight up Fender factory solder points and that this guitar did indeed come from the factory this way. Have you ever seen anything like this? I wonder whether this was just a mistake at the factory. I am the second owner, but the first owner did not swap out the pickups. It sounds fantastic.

[@samprock]

Where do I buy original Fender brand foam? :)

[@pericnikola4418]

No, from Musk´s Tesla. Only 99.99 bucks !!! :- )Amazn offer today 9,98 !!

[@samprock]

@@pericnikola4418 I'm broke, about to change a battery in my Audi Q7 $800 at dealer LOL ... of course I replace it myself, by ... have to reprogram, which is $300 anyways :)

[@pericnikola4418]

@@samprock loool

[@trentmason009]

You are awesome for making this.

[@jeffnorris6360]

Watched you with Marty and a Jazzmaster. Had to sub!

[@PhillipMcKnight]

Thank you Jeff

[@Rikamortis6stringer]

Good tips. For the volume knob I bought a small pack of rubber O rings. Then slide it over the shaft.

[@anne5surf]

Thanks for the great tips, I have a wobbly tremolo arm and I hit the volume knob. They don’t ship the springs to the UK but I’ll get round that! 👍

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

The trem tension spring does not and will not prevent anyone from cross threading the arm. Cross threading when it happens, happens right at the start of things

[@foxjerseycol4433]

Although i do understand what you are referring too, In this case... i dissagree, The spring helps to prevent over tightening of the arm, Picture this... A thread can be 100% perfect whilst screwing the arm in, Until it is overtightened to the point where the arm runs out of thread & then bottoms out causing the initial thread in the block to be disfigured, The thread on the arm can be over stretched aswell, Hence, Thread damage can and will only begin to happen upon removal of the arm.

[@keensoundguy6637]

To avoid cross-threading, the common "trick" is to begin by turning the arm the opposite direction (as if you're unscrewing it) while with ever so slight pressure push the arm inward. As you slowly turn the arm, you'll reach the point where the start of the two sets of threads pass each other. When that happens, you'll feel the arm drop inward slightly, at which point you immediately stop turning counterclockwise, and proceed to turn screw the arm in. This technique, of course, can be applied to any screw situation, not just tremolo arms.

[@madmax8428]

shucks.. try a little plumbers tape on them threads. works like a charm.

[@MrJohnnyDistortion]

I felt guilty so I went out and bought a Strat. A Mexican Strat. Used. So I guess I didn't feel that guilty. And I gave myself a thumbs up as well.

[@Col_MULLY]

I use the rubber air tubes for a fish tank to put inside the tremolo springs and deaden them.

[@davidmatney5163]

This is what i use too and it's much superior to foam. Foam gets pinched inside the springs.

[@tystyk962]

YOU STR8 RULE! THANK YOU!! IM A LES PAUL KINDA GUY BUT WHEN RECORDING AND CREATING, SHOOT, ILL NAIL SIX WIRES ON A SIDE OF HOUSE AND PUT SODA BOTTLE UNDER THEM FOR A BRIDGE AND PLAY A HOUSE IF THE NUMBER CALLS FOR IT..

[@wengrrrl1]

Hi Phillip- here's funny Fender spring story: On our way to a gig in 1987, my 1963 Volvo 544 sedan popped a carbuerator spring in the middle of the Santa Cruz mountains. Of course the whole PA, & all the gear was "tetrised" into the Volvo, but we were able to get a spring from my 1963 Jaguar whammy that worked(ironically, same year as the car). You aren't kidding about the strength- that spring is STILL on that (running) car today( which now has 2 million miles on the original B18 engine. I will NEVER drive anything but an old Volvo. WORD.). Sold the Jag in 2009- have newer Tele these days. (Miss that Jaguar.....)

[@daniejw]

Phil. You're an extremely knowledgeable guy with a lot of guitar stuff. I have a question that I can't seem to find the correct answer. I have even emailed Fender with no response. When looking up a Serial # for a Fender Strat on the Fender website. It tells you a bit about the guitar the number is attached to. Even will show you a picture of the guitar in seemly the correct color of the guitar. Would you know if the color that shows up on the picture of the guitar after searching the Serial # is in fact the original color of the guitar? I have searched a few and they all seem to be matched correctly with a guitar I am interested in. However, I am about the buy a 2019 Professional Series that is Olive Green but shows up as a White Strat after searching the serial number. The guitar hasn't been resprayed... Ideas? Thank You

[@drivinsouth651]

Great video! Just a note: Foaming the bridge springs will ruin the Stratocaster`s natural reverb. If you don`t like that reverb; foam is great!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Great video! Thanks

[@theclanmorrison]

Hi Johan,I'm a big fan of you video's too!

[@billking9998]

Craig Morrison

[@theclanmorrison]

Yes Bill King?

[@billking9998]

Craig Morrison bi

[@satevo462]

My Strat started doing this today. I took some old soundproofing foam and just wedged it in between the springs. 1 minute fix.

[@LawrieFamily]

Mr. McKnight...one of the most random but helpful nuggets of info ever thx Bro!