To Float, Or Not To Float, Strats The Question - Ask Zac 177

To Support the Channel:
Patreon / askzac
Tip jar: paypal.me/AskZac
Venmo @AskZac
Or check out my store for merch - my-store-be024...
Today I look at my 2 favorite options for Strat tremolo setup, fully floating, or deck it and removing the bar. Also, we look at some handy tips for helping you stay in tune when floating the bridge, adjusting the string break angle at the headstock, using low-tension Raw Vintage springs, recommended string gauges, and lubing the nut slots and string tree.
Affiliate link, Raw Vintage Springs
amzn.to/46VaG8Y
Gear used:
2023 Headstrong Lil' King with 12" Eminence GA-SC64 speaker
headstrongamps...
1955 Stratocaster built by my old college buddy, B. Paisley, using a mix of old and new parts. Ron Ellis 50/60 middle and neck, Duncan Twang banger in the bridge.
www.ronellispi...
Strings:
D'Addario NYXL 10-46
Affiliate link
amzn.to/494qQ1y
Pick:
Pick Boy Small Jazz, Tortoise Shell, 1.00mm
Effects: Amp reverb
#askzac #zacchilds #stratocaster

[@cadams1607]

After 25 years of being decked I decided to give floating a go. After a quarter century of playing and mucking around with guitars you learn where the tuning instabilities really come from. I will never go back as i love the shimmer of the floating bridge. Bend double stops are not as negatively affected as i was lead to believe

[@AskZac]

Rock on!

[@StephenSpelman]

After decades of playing my '68 hardtail, when I got my Custom Shop '59 Strat, I wound up taking out the springs altogether and blocking the bridge with a plastic bag full of quarters. Works and sounds great

[@Les537]

You can swap out tuners for those staggered fender tuners that have lower poles on the thin strings and it will allow you to bypass the string tree for one less friction point.

[@ACOUSTITRON-mp6tc]

Eric Johnson Strat…

[@fivewattworld]

The Tele guy on Strats! I love it. Beautiful guitar btw.

[@AskZac]

Thank you, Keith

[@clevebaker8399]

I’ve blocked all 3 of the strats I’ve owned!! I really prefer a non tremolo guitar. Thr term arm is for folks that really know how to use it!! Love this channel!! Just watched the video of the golden Strat!👏🤗👍😘

[@wt42ds]

I decked my strat a few years ago and never looked back but after watching this I’m considering floating it. Like many others I experienced tuning issues which is why I decked it. I purchased the book you recommended! Can’t wait to implement the tips into my routine. As always, I greatly appreciate your videos!

[@timcastle165]

My Strat tremolo is also floated to where it is parallel with the body and not very high like yours, Love it and it does stay in tune. Great video!,

[@dahag2996]

I'm more a Tele guy and have always had trouble on my Strat with unison bends going out of tune. Mostly just like the Strat neck PUP. So I de-Stratted my Strat by blocking the trem, pulling the middle PUP. Popping a strat-sized Broadcaster PUP (metal baseplate and all) in the bridge position and wired it with 4-way Tele wiring. It doesn't sound exactly like a Tele or Strat. But its a fun guitar with some interesting tones not found in a standard Tele or Strat. But my Tele is still my No. 1.

[@brazilgrass]

I've been USING my tremolo decked for decades. with no issues. Well installed strings, well shaped and lubed nut and that's it.

[@DonaldSchmider-pq3xr]

I have 3 strats ,all set up to float and I string all my fenders with 9s and they all work great .They all have the 2; point trem ,but I don't know if that makes a difference.

[@BlueStratDude]

This video made me so happy, I love Strats and I really like yours, the checking on that finish is amazing. When I was a kid I had a job cleaning pools, and they gave us this grease called Super Lube for use on O-rings. It's Teflon-based, fully synthetic. It's clear, doesn't smell, doesn't react chemically with anything, and it's really cheap and easy to find. I tried using it on my Strat trem one day (25 years ago now!) and I still use it to this day. It's absolutely perfect for it. A toothpick and a few dabs of that stuff and I can get any Strat to stay in tune for the long haul.

[@johnw4659]

Thanks, Zac. Lots of good information for us Stratocaster players that I hadn't heard before. Well done.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I’ve been saving this one for a few days and I love Strats so get ready for a big long comment! Also! The Cloud City reference is indicative of why I’m subscribed!

[@timnatrajan]

I float my strats. I use 9.5 - 44 strings too, but only use 3 springs. No problem with returning to pitch with the trem set up correctly and the nut lubricated.

[@george6520]

I have 2 Strats…one standard tuning…one in E flat…both stung with 10’s. Both are floating and are setup like Jeff Beck…pulling up on the trem gives you a full tone on the high E. With a nut cut properly and some graphite in the slots they stay in tune really well. I’m certainly no Jeff Beck but this system works well for me. Also replaced the Fender string tree with an aftermarket roller type that I put a tiny amount of Vaseline on. After a big pull up or dive just smack the whammy bar again and it comes right back.

[@allenmitchell09]

I thought I wanted a strat until I finally played one a couple of weeks ago at GC. I had all these ideas for using the trem bar. I have some physical limitations and wasn’t able to use it like I was thinking. Back to my tele!

[@AndrewBoydMusic]

ever try a Nashville Tele? Adds a "strat" style pickup in middle position... might give you enough strat to... Get you there

[@allenmitchell09]

@@AndrewBoydMusic I think I was more intrigued with the trem bar and the way Jeff Beck played more so than the strat tone per se. Another thing driving me to want to get a strat was my late good friend played an Olympic white one and I wanted one like he had as a tribute to him.

[@AndrewBoydMusic]

@@allenmitchell09 Ahhh I see. That's cool in tribute. Olympic white is one of those classic fav color schemes ( aged mint pickguard or of course that Hendrix color scheme) I was primarily a Strat guy for years but took a break once I found a great Tele. Funny how one or the other changes how you play music. Different styles live in each guitar. Also Maple and Rosewood neck and different body woods changes the whole thing as well. May you Keep rockin that Tele. Peace out.

[@allenmitchell09]

@@AndrewBoydMusic Yeah exactly! My friend was a huge Hendrix fan and that was his reasoning for wanting that color and all. The one I want would be basically the same Woodstock strat except I play lefty and I want the big headstock. Which Fender doesn't make. I would have to parts cast it.

[@bryancollins6796]

I've got one set up to float and a second not to. 3 Springs on the active trem. Works well with 9 - 46 strings. Never more than 2 winds on the E and A posts. Use a bit of lub on the nut and you're good.

[@timnewman1172]

My first real Strat was a Korean Squier II with a brass bridge but missing the trem arm... I took it in to get set up and we "decked" the bridge which I prefer to this day... the combination of the heavy bridge and tension on the springs makes it sustain in a way I like. It taught me to love Fenders and is still one of the best playing guitars I own!

[@magnushedqvist2245]

I used to have it floated. Always stayed in tune. Now however I have all my strats set flush to the body and 5 springs. I think it sounds better and you don't have to worry about going out of tune if you break a string midsong. Love your show 👍😀

[@adiaz1182]

Can you still use the whammy bar?

[@Ubu987]

@@adiaz1182 Yes, but against the tension of five springs, it is much harder, and you can only lower the pitch.

[@soilsample]

​@@Ubu987i find it works perfectly fine with 3 springs and is relatively easygoing smooth action on the bar

[@jaymichaels5187]

I block the trem with a piece of wood. The trem adds a certain good resonant sound that you do not get with a hardtail.

[@handle433]

This is why Clapton never went hardtail on his main Stratocaster, despite always blocking the trem!

[@Darrick-o3o]

Hello, thanks for the tutorial. Be aware that a Stratocaster scale length shortens a fraction when the tremolo goes forward, and your string action raises higher also, so keep in mind you should be lowering your action after floating...I'm okay with this since in standard tuning (440) the 25.50 scale length can make the tension pretty tight to the fingers if you bend notes. Either Decked or floating has its advantages, having 2 different stratocaster guitars each set up differently be ideal. All of us should also know when using 3 springs they should be straight NOT in a pyramid or pointed configuration...if they are parallel the tension is even making tuning much more stable.

[@richardclark6807]

My original strat (79/80 model) was always pretty stable for tuning. Got it professionally set up about 8 years ago for the 1st time. Its stays in tune so well. Original bone nut, replaced rusty trees and new complete tremolo about 10 years ago as I’d worn it out !

[@BlindTom61]

I played a '57 Strat for 27 years in the honky tonks, dive bars, hippie clubs in my youth and middle age. Looked a lot like yours. Shot frets, weaker pickups and I always played five springs. Thanks for the tips. FWIW, I knew Paul when we were all living in Mendocino. Great guy...

[@ryanenlow2687]

Zac is a fantastic influencer and ambassador for our wonderful pastime... all solid and usable advice.

[@AskZac]

I appreciate that!

[@ryanenlow2687]

KEEP ON DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING MAN!!!@@AskZac

[@Moonviewer3]

I use 9s floating and hardly ever have to tune. Tinkered a lot and ended up with brass saddles, 4 “raw vintage” low tension springs, bone nut, and staggered tuners. I also have a more severe float. I don’t know if I just got lucky or what but 9s work great! I also noticed you can tighten the claw angled one way or the other slightly and it changes the tone a tiny bit on the high vs low strings by tensioning one side vs the other slightly.

[@gerardange]

I have been floating my Strat for 13 years… Scott Henderson taught me some good tricks! oval out your 6 screw holes…so there is no binding with rough tight edges!!! Very important!!!! I also only use 3 springs… and also added some foam to deaden to verb effect in the springs! I additionally I upgraded the Saddles first to “ Roller Saddles”… but those failed after a year 😕and after that I went to a composite Graph Tech saddle for the last 9 years. 👍👍👍!!! With the float setup correctly 90 % of the time it stays in tune but if it goes a bit out just pluck the vibrato bar a few times and it magically comes all back in tune!!!! The only issue is that intonation on a Full-float… is The#6 Low E saddle and the #3 G saddle I had to remove 1/8 “ from the rear of both saddles with a file and also cut the spring 50% in both Saddles to get my intonation on those strings. I am using 10-46 Maxima Gold strings with the string tree removed and a bone nut. I did buy a Roller-Nut but never installed it… because that is a lot of serous cutting to the neck that could ruin the neck permanently… so it seems to all work perfectly with the bone nut no issues!!!! Cheers Gerard

[@billkallas1762]

I always deck the bridge. I would have preferred a hardtail.

[@macauley70]

with hardtail loses the subtle and carateristic natural reverb of springs cavity

[@CosmicNed]

Always float my Strats- i’ve found setting the spring tension so that hitting the 7th fret harmonic on the G string and pulling up on the trem so it’s raises pitch a whole tone seems to work well for tuning stability…

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

My tips, play Guitar in pitch blackness as all your senses are focused on the vibes . Get a drummer that wears strange hats/ head-gear, avoid "Nut sauce" cos it's no better than mustard and ketchup...and "Be happy"! Thanks Zak, I want to rattle your grey cells but don't know what to ask as you answer any queztions before I can ask em, that's like time travel.

[@Guitar5986]

I'm not really a strat guy but I have to say...that is one beautiful guitar! The back especially is just lovely

[@BaconTomatoCheese]

I decked my Strat decades ago after reading somewhere that Jimmy Page did that to his… Made a lot of sense to me at the time, especially as the guitar would go wildly out of tune as soon as a string broke. I tightened the springs down a little bit too-and added a piece of stick-on rubber to the underside of the trem block to keep it from clacking against the body of the guitar

[@randyhughes4049]

I prefer to float but sometimes have to tune down. If you deck the trem and set the springs right you can still use the bar. Going down of course but stays in tune well. 6:47

[@hoagyguitarmichael]

Great episode. For viewers who don't want to buy low tension springs, I recommend the three spring triangle method. One down the middle and the other two at each far end of the bridge narrowing to the three center clips on the law. I float for a whole step up on the G and a half step on the B and E. This allows some cool suspension steel tricks on the G and B or the G and E.

[@AskZac]

Great tip!

[@nazmoking3171]

I have you do not want to run the springs diagonal like that on the 2 outer springs. Basically you render your center spring useless when you do that. Instead run all your springs parallel for even tension. The softer springs run about $20/set. Spend the money and be happy with your tremolo (try them and you'll see).

[@hoagyguitarmichael]

I have been running them like that for 30 years and it works great for me.@@nazmoking3171

[@bobhewitt5047]

Such a great common sense video Zac … I adopted the same approach 40 years ago - never had a problem with a ‘low float’ … just right for a Strat. Raw Vintage springs too👍🏻 They make a difference.

[@cuellar23]

That is one gorgeous Strat, sir.

[@KeithMcConchie]

Used to deck 'em, now I float 'em. I don't use the tremolo often, but they almost never slip out of tune, even if I do.

[@Colinjohnmusic]

Deck that badboy, tighten the springs, having the mechanism flush with the body gives better transference and tone,imho.

[@EricJohnson-iv7ne]

Locking tuners and a really good bridge help too. For me, a Wilkinson bridge made a huge difference.

[@Tonetwisters]

My very first guitar (I mooched on my brother's new 1960 Jazzmaster for a while) was a 1954 Stratocaster my dad gave me Christmas of 1963.

[@AskZac]

wow

[@hearpalhere]

That's a super cool looking guitar Zac! I don't remember for sure but I think it was Carl Verheyen that I saw a long time ago talking about the floating setup of a Strat. I think he was showing how it's possible to set it up so that when you pull up, it'll pull the various strings up by a specific amount. Like the G string will go up a a whole step, the B a third or something like that. Made it possible for some really musical options when bending up.

[@joelshields8807]

My first electrics were S-style, and my most formative years as a player were spent with a MIM burst strat (McCready and Frusciante were big influences back then). I drifted away, to T-styles for a while, and a few years with a great MIJ Jazzmaster as my #1 (and I will never let go), then back to Teles (and still consider myself a Tele guy) as I got into building partscasters. I also built a Strat (with a plated Tele bridge pickup - because I had to), which I started taking to practice a few weeks ago, and it unlocked something in my lead playing. I was suddenly looser and more confident. It just felt like an extension of me, particularly my left hand. Like coming home. And I do use the bar, but only for surfy vibrato and slow, light bends. I learned the value of 5 springs early on, and got used to stiffer feeling trems, to the point that I now prefer them. So mine always float flat with 5 springs. And I always seem to default to 10 and sometimes 11s, so I don't mind not being able to use light strings. I like some tension in there. I do think my right hand touch is a bit more delicate with the Strat because a hardtail just seems to inspire confidence to dig in (whether it matters or not is immaterial), but that's not necessarily a bad thing, especially since my playing is less aggressive in my older years. And tuning stability is pretty decent on mine - holding for a least a few songs if I'm not doing too much trem work. I tap my polytune whenever there's a break in action, which seems to keep me sounded decent through practice or a set. I also have lube on the nut, and invested in a good (Callaham) vintage-style bridge. Tuners are just your standard Kluson Deluxes, which have always treated me well. I am building a second Strat now, which is less about lacking confidence in my main one as it is feeding my addiction to building partscasters. I need a rosewood-board one to go with my maple board. :D

[@angryshoebox]

i always deck mine, no block of wood, I just tighten the spring claw until the bridge lays flat against the body when the strings are at pitch.

[@runrin_]

really nice playing at the start of this video, different from your normal thing.

[@Darrick-o3o]

EVH had a fender trem on the black and white striped strat with 3 springs.

[@diegomendivil7101]

I float , tuning is incredibly stable and even after a big bend a small pull or tug on the arms brings it right back. For a hardtail sound I have a Tele,.

[@murrayguitarpickups9545]

I do the same, Strats are for floatin' Teles have the hardtail option covered

[@chrislestermusic]

Vegatrems are pretty amazing and non invasive.

[@StevenPD]

Great post. The fact a strat can do both speaks to its versatility. Great if you’re on a budget. If I could afford to I’d go with a Malmsteen strat and a mason tele. That’s just me.

[@williamwagnon2809]

Great episode. Thanks for your knowledge on traditional trems.

[@kylecravens6501]

I had been a decked player for a long time but bought a Strat that was owned by Mike Landau. Floating. Now I get it! I feel like I missed the whole vibe of Strats for years. So yes to floating

[@soilsample]

For years, i just blocked my trem, until one day i decided to only deck it, but allow for pull up action... And now i feel exactly how you described Im wondering if it only gets better to float, but i like to switch up tunings often, so idk I have a double barrel trem stabilizer, i could eventually install, to try to enjoy dual action, without sacrificing tuning verstility or stability. Im still just gathering intel from folks who have tried every different way. Oh yeah, and decking also makes my bar sit a bit further off my body, due to the angle back, and im almost certain i would enjoy it more if it were more parallel. I dont have a strat, just a two point "vintage" schaller 1301(Its modern, non locking, roller saddles) Incredible bridge thus far with smooth action and the whammy bar is as rock solid as any floyd rose.

[@BlackMarketYoga]

I deck and use the bar but, only lightly or at the end of a song when I know I have a moment to hit a tuner. Also use 10s and pencil led. Thank you cool episode! As always...

[@bensempek]

Off topic...my wang bar broke and it was a freak accident...the screw heads at the tip of the bar snapped inside the hole where it winds in ..on this model from here on out I have locked it down like Robert Cray. Otherwise all other Strats float as need be....and thank you for your advice!

[@bensempek]

This happened to me too. So just decided to lock it down for good. I got used to it. Later I bought another standard with a wang bar to compensate, etc.

[@paulwalter7294]

I deck/block it and use it with a trem. Works just fine. It is so much personal preference

[@TommySG1]

Hi ya Zac, I totally agree with your thinking on the Strat set ups. I have three of them here and they all float, I set the bridge height to like 1/8th on an inch although I never actually measure… after a while you just know by eye 🤙

[@TRWilley]

Mechanical pencils are good for adding graphite to the nut slots. Another option is Carmex lip balm and a toothpick to apply.

[@sammccue500]

A tube of locksmith's powdered graphite and all five springs, locking tuners and no string winds.¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@TRWilley]

@@sammccue500 I've also combined the powered graphite with Vaseline to make it easier to apply - it ain't pretty, but it seemed to work. Nice thing about mechanical pencils is the lead is skinny enough to fit even in the high E nut slot.

[@ginoames]

I use four of the black Fender springs with 9-46 D'Addario strings. The black ones have a softer tension. They match up well with the 9-46 strings. I do have it float as I like to shake chords and single notes.

[@FlyJohnny100]

This is great...Strat is my main guitar; I bend hard and constantly, had trouble with floating whammy, but never been happy with blocked whammy. Been doing more twangy stuff lately and planning on unblocking to use the bar, and getting a Tele for non-whammy material...a ton of relevant stuff I've wondered about here, like string gauge (I typically use 10 E). Thanks, Zac!!

[@seanbrooks2583]

I love how my silversky came from the factory. decked out against the body. it never goes out of tune

[@GreatPlanet-c7o]

I had my Strats floating for decades until about a month again, trying something different by not using the trem-arm. Not floating them seems to help with tuning.

[@JasonSD22]

My first strat, and guitar, was the same, a 1987 MIJ Squier with the System 1 tremolo, with the locking part on the headstock. I still have it.

[@MontyCantsin5]

Thanks for this overview - much appreciated. One thing I don't quite understand is the point you brought up at 8:34. I may be misinterpreting what you were saying, but if there are enough springs in the cavity (and they are under sufficient tension from the claw to pull the bridge plate against the body of the guitar) how can the tuning not remain stable? Surely it has to be more stable than a floating set-up? If you break a string and the bridge is flat, there's nowhere for it to go, right? All the other strings should stay at the same pitch(?) I'm currently having my Strat setup by a tech and I've requested to have the bridge flat against the body because I barely use the vibrato bar. Now I'm unsure if this is the right way to go.

[@cgb1394]

Pencil lead, advise against because it is a mild abrasive actually which can damage the nut. Nut sauce worked great for me for ears. Also eliminate string tree completely with staggered tuners. Also, sewing machine oil (not 3-in-1 oil) on the bridge screws has been key. also break angle at the bridge.

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

Floating trem introduces so many issues. I prefer a dive only, but I will keep one floating floyd

[@10sassafras]

Two point trems are the only ones I’ve used - Ibanez and US standard strats. They seem to work great with standard springs and 9s. Two point trems float well with the plate level with the body.

[@THEItchybruddah]

Thanks for the tip on the Xotic springs. Currently a floater with 3 springs… seems to behave very well. Mind you, I’m only going for the shimmer/wobble thing on the Fenders. As ALWAYS, thanks for the time you share and the insights. Much obliged Maestro.

[@AskZac]

Thanks!

[@CarlosToro-Torres]

Definitely to float; I actually have a Fender Stratocaster style Starcaster guitar that initially belonged to 1 of my nephews until December 25th, 2013 when he handed it to me as a Christmas present: it’s a HSS with a floating tremolo bar, just as Mr Leo Fender himself intended it to be played & used 💝 🎁 🤶 🎅 🎄 🎸 💯 👍

[@jjemsnd7]

One trick I learned to keep a floating term in tune is to equalize the tension between the strings and the springs. You do this by angling the claw. The larger bass strings exert more pull than the smaller gauge strings do so you simply loosen the claw on the light gauge side and tighten it on the heavy gauge side. You have to play with the adjustments but eventually it won't matter of You're pulling up or pushing down on the bar it will equalize and return to it's original position it's just physics

[@TheTurkey79]

I think i need to pick up a copy of that book, i keep finding myself playing the same things over and over... B) Thanks for the info Zac!

[@theryanthiggins]

Hey Zac, you didn't really emphasize it but the soldered ball ends on the D'Addario NYXL's also help with the tuning stability. I've actually had the ball end come unwound on the high E on unsoldered ball ends. That's a fun one in the middle of a gig when the high just keeps going flat until it eventually lets loose!

[@chrislestermusic]

I bought a replacement set of high E strings and every ball end become unwound. It’s been happening with more and more strings.

[@gregmize01]

Never did I expect a Cloud City reference in a Ask Zac vid! 🎸

[@jltrem]

Zac, have you tried the Carl Verheyen angled claw setup? It's what worked best on the strat I have floating.

[@clarkrichardson949]

Thanks for mentioning this! I also have had great success with the Carl Verheyen angled claw method! No tuning problems!

[@hiddenguitarlessonstutoria8085]

Me too 😁😁

[@AskZac]

I need to check it out again. I can’t remember

[@GoldtopDude]

Great video, I have always floated my stats, much like you, just a little pullback However, I have in some cases added Vintage style, locking gears to reduce backlash Which, of course just a little quick tug can take care of that many times as well Thanks again,

[@stevenpipes1555]

I float my strat bridge. Graphtech nut and retainer, 10 guage strings, 2 springs, with the spring claw set deeper on the bass side. More tension on the bass side spring helps ballance the string tension more equally. It feels buttery smoothe and stays in tune quite well. As far as other strings dropping pich during bends, ive learned to hold the trem still with the arm when i do these kinds of bends.

[@curtevans838]

Nice Strat!

[@ILIAD9]

Wow. Just what I needed. I just put on a new Babicz Trem on my Strat and am having a terrible time with the set up. not the product which is incredible but the tech(me) who needs some schooling.

[@glennfeit8294]

Okay, I’m gonna share a controversial hack that came out of playing outdoor gigs in Florida during the summer with ridiculous humidity. On a gig, the guitar (Mighty Mite maple fretboard w/compound radius) became unbearable so I asked a server for a little bit of olive oil. That solved this stickiness of the fretboard but I also noticed the tuning seemed better even after using the vibrato arm. Not loving the idea of using olive oil on a regular basis, I tried WD-40. Wow, what a difference. Not only did the guitar play better but the WD-40 seemed to last longer as it impregnated the fretboard. I have since used it on all my guitars including several vintage 60s guitars. I’ve also noticed I don’t have to polish my frets as often and they seem to be lasting longer (I’m lucky to have been playing a lot the past few years). Soaking a Q-Tip with WD-40 and treating the nut and string tree has been a game changer and, so far as I can tell, has not affected the finish of any of my guitars or dried out the wood. Of course, I always wipe off any excess. I now keep a small spray can in my work gig bags. Hopefully the humidity in Florida will let up soon😂.

[@jeremyversusjazz]

Interesting…

[@fleadoggreen9062]

Ever use wd40 on a rosewood or the newer boards ? Thanks for the tip ?

[@jeremyversusjazz]

heres another pro tip for wd40: cleans stainless steel perfectly-a million times better than any “stainless steel cleaner” fingerprints on your fridge door u thought were there forever? gone. stuffs amazing.

[@muddymike10]

Thank you Zac; I always finish your post's more informed. Another Paul Johnson recording/CD worth searching for is "The Duo-tones: Surf Music unplugged". Mr. Johnson & Gil Orr (The Chantays) perform classic Surf & Pop tunes on two acoustic guitars; no Drums or Bass accompaniment. Wonderful & intimate music results...

[@stratjed]

Have a 57 that I tighten the claw down and don't put the bar on. Have a 1997 Strat Plus set up like Jeff Beck. Its stable as a Floyd. Have others decked but leave the bar on and use minimally. Really, try to seldom use it and try to play like me and avoid all the cliches that go with a Stratocaster. Thank you for a Stratocaster video today . Was a rough day at work and you made my evening .

[@kevinkey7241]

I’ve always set up my Strats almost decked w 3 springs, it stays in tune when you do bends and allows for a bit of tremolo. A perfectly cut nut is key though. I also have a strat with a Tremsetter in place of the center spring. As always, I suggest trying different setups and find what works for you

[@stevehorvath5855]

I had my Strat blocked for a long time until I had a refret on it. I had just seen Marc Cohn at a small venue with Shane Fontayne on Strat and a Taylor acoustic backing Marc. His Strat sounded great and he used the trem bar subtly and I loved it. I asked the tech who did the work on my refret( a local tech named Steve Soest) to set up the trem for a mild float, and when I got it back I've never looked back! It stayed in tune and added a whole new dimension to my playing. On another note, re your book nook segment, have you ever read the book, "Between the Strings; the Secret Lives of Guitars' by John Schroeter? He approached about 95 guitarists and 5 builders to write a short story on their relationship with their instrument. When I read it, I bought ten of them and handed them out to my guitar playing friends. It is out of print but can still be found online - check it out!

[@nazmoking3171]

I put Raw Vintage springs - only 3 of them per guitar - with 9 gauge strings floating and no tuning issues!

[@azcharlie2009]

Thanks for the tips on the tremolo set up. I have an old 90's MIJ Strat with a Schaller two post trem on it. Never have been able to get it to stay in tune. I've tried blocking it, and another device designed to hold the bridge in place. Nothing works very well. You can't really deck the thing because there isn't enough room to get the intonation correct. I did use 10 gauge strings, but didn't like the feel. Wouldn't stay in tune anyway. I haven't tried removing the nut locking mechanism. I really hate using those tiny tuning nobs on the bridge. Every once in a while, I'll grab a tuner and screw the whole thing up! I was screwing around with the guitar yesterday, and I have to say it's about as good as it every has been right now. Just don't do any dive bombs.

[@handle433]

Used to always float, but I went through a phase of constantly breaking strings on my Clapton Stratocasters so I decked them. No wooden block like they came, just cranked down the bridge. Whenever I break a string it’ll stay in tune until the end of the song and I can change to the second one!

[@nazmoking3171]

Float it or don't buy a strat! I learned several years ago how to float them effectively on KZbin and now I don't much care for guitars without a trem - makes a huge difference!

[@randyrich2039]

NICE strat! Since he didn't say, I'm going to guess it's a 1955. It could be a late '54, but I'm going with '55. But, I'm not an expert. Nice video Zac.

[@jeffmcleod2855]

On my main Strat - it is essentially decked allowing just down bends with the bar but it still useful and I don’t go crazy with it so tuning is not an issue. I have one Strat tuned to D standard and it is floating too. I have to play it differently but it is nice too, but not my main thing. I also have 2 hardtail Strats.

[@mattrogers1946]

I know exactly what you're talking about. My 80s Japanese Strat had a System One tremolo, too. 😅😅

[@cgb1394]

higher guage strings means more force on the bridge screws, which keeps it from slipping around

[@ewm335]

Re your Squier, sounds like you’re describing a System 1 trem: I hated mine too ha ha. And I tend to agree. I float my six-screw Strat trem and with a little lubrication and maintenance it stays in tune fine for my needs. When I need to dive bomb etc., which is almost never, I have an Ibanez RG with the Original Edge, maybe the best stock Floyd-type trem available.

[@AskZac]

It was a system 1. It was crap. Weighed nothing

[@worthmoremusic]

Unless I missed it, interestingly enough you never mentioned locking tuners regarding tuning stability along with a proper cut nut.....also interesting to see you have 5 springs whereas so many who use a floating bridge removed a few to use only 2 or 3. Once again, it's all so subjective ! Thanks for your perspective Zac !

[@sergemoreillon1236]

Great learning smiling! Top ! Thank you Zac !

[@danielcgomez]

I float all my Strat Bridges. My formula; Raw Vintage Springs, TusQXL Pre-slotted Nut, 10-52 or 11-54 String gauges. Vintage spec Tuners exclusively(because the work better than any others that I've tried), 2-2.5 wraps on the wound strings, and max wraps on the unwound strings. I only lube a cleaned string tree ...I never lube the Nut because I've been able to notice some damping from the lube presence on the playable string. I don't sweat acid, and I have never broken a string playing(20+ years playing), so I don't fear the break! Cons to my choice; humidity plays havoc with floating trems I have found.

[@craigthomson3621]

On Strats and String Gauges. I have found that vintage spec Strats (including Fender AVRI, Original and Vintage models) need at least 10 - 46 strings. However, modern spec 22 fret Fender Strats (such as the Ultra, Professional and Mexican Player), while being perfectly happy with 10 - 46 gauge, also perform well with 9 - 42 gauge.

[@Ubu987]

Leo Fender called it a 'tremolo' because he intended it as a means of imitating rotating Leslie organ speakers which produce a tremolo effect, even though they, in turn, were originally intended to imitate vibrato. Full circle! There is an element of genuine tremolo, as the vibrating string becomes louder when tensed, and quieter when depressed, so it does vary in volume to a significant degree.

[@picksalot1]

Yes, but I use a 4th Method. I deck the Bridge from the top, using a wedge between the back of the bridge and the top of the guitar. The best material I've found regarding tone is plastic from an old 3-ply pickguard. I can insert the wedge or remove it in under 5 seconds. I use a couple of pieces of plastic to hold it in place when doing dives. The wedge prevents the pulling up on the Whammy bar. Having the wedge in place makes my Strat sound like a PRS. The wedge removes a lot of the jangle and rattle that comes from a standard floating bridge, and there are more mids. When I first came up with the idea, I tested a metal wedge, and wood. I used a popsicle stick taped in place with painters tape for a quick test, just to see if the idea was worth pursuing. A popsicle stick is just over 2mm thick, and just about perfect to try as a wedge. I think a screw mechanism would work a bit better, but I haven't gotten around to doing that. As a side benefit, using a wedge makes string set changes about twice as fast because the strings stay mostly in tune when tightening up the other strings. EVH had a Quarter screwed to the top of the Frankenstrat towards the back of the bridge, and I suspect he used it for the same purposes.

[@daveydacusguitars9033]

I have always "decked" the bridge on my strats. Except the term I was taught was "locked it down" Being a massive SRV fan I was seeking a setup that would help me accomplish that sound and those licks, and it's essential for playing that style in my opinion. The blues strat type thing. When floating, you have to bend a string much farther to achieve the pitch you are looking for. As you bend you are pulling the bridge and lowering the pitch... requiring even more bend which lowers the pitch again as the springs give... it just doesn't work well. And if it's set up to float it really should not be played in that manner. For a blues set up, and a style of playing one bend after another with lots of vibrato on the left hand I'd say you pretty much have to plant the bridge on the body. That way you can quickly and efficiently get to pitch without extra movement on the left hand, release that note and move on and get the next bend to pitch. It's important to note, a bigger string has to be deflected less to reach pitch also. I can, however, appreciate the sounds that can be found with a floating bridge. After watching this I think I may convert one of my more disused strat type guitars to a floating set up just to see what can happen. It can be fun to go outside of your comfort zone and play a different way. I'll also add that I've always thought the springs in the back add to a strats sound. I've always kept 5 in just to have the extra vibration. If it's a real thing or in my head I don't know but I like to have them there haha Glad to find your channel I'm enjoying the content!

[@BOBBRADLEYCHANNEL]

If you float and do a lot of muting with the palm, any ham handed maneuvers can result in some chaos 🫠 so diving zone only over here..

[@ebeep]

Carl Verheyen. There are 2 clips on KZbin, the more recent contains the more detailed info. He has this all sorted. Floating bridge. Angled claw so that tension is balanced. 0.009s! 3 SPRINGS. I swear my Strats stay in tune better than any guitar I've ever had because of Carl's setup instructions. I can play an entire set without tuning, put it in the case, and it's still PERFECTLY in tune when I get home. I use the trem relentlessly a la The Shadows or James Wilsey and tuning stability is gloriously unwavering. I am an absolute stickler for tuning and went so far as to do my own extensive pedal tuner shootout as I am quite particular about tuner precision and the tuner's ability to not only arrive at correct pitch per string, but the UI also affects the the guitar's ability to be in tune with itself, as in string harmony, a whole other topic, lol. I use to have to obsessively tune between each song, or at least every given opportunity. No more. Trem springs are available in different tensions. I use the light tension so that the trem arm is super responsive with a light touch. I am so completely happy with my Strat setups. I don't use nut lubricant because I find it sucks tone. Ymmv.

[@SionAfterEarth]

Haven't tried it on a Strat yet, but I'm very impressed with tuning stability on a PRS SE (it's a PRS design floating trem though) with D'Addario Balanced Tension EXL110BT. Seemed logical to try them with a floating trem.

[@Big-A-Russel]

I have two strats one I have decked and the other one floating both are fun.

[@rockandrollmd541]

Mine is decked with a piece of foam wedged in between the trem block and body to kill the reverb. I play a lot of double stop bends. The string tension feels a bit slinkier when it is floating. I prefer the percussive sound of a decked bridge.

[@jw_au]

I’m with you, just a slight float… I picked up a new Strat today in fact and have changed the float as they come from the factory with quite a large float in my opinion