How To Set Up a Vintage Strat Six Bolts Screws Tremolo for Best Floating Performance

[@captainpancake1749]

By far the best Strat Setup Guide on KZbin. Please come back one day for more Videos! Grazie mille!

[@mcmdrpiffle447]

All right then ! I realise this was posted almost 5 years ago. THE BEST video I've come across discussing basic set up of a Strat. For those of us who have done this so many times, little details like videoing the different Phillips Head screwdrivers and how they do, or don't fit those 6 screws. Nice to see details like this as those 6 screws are paramount to the overall performance of this guitar. Great production value as in clear/concise/easy to understand and follow. Damn Fine job Frudua Tv. Thank you for putting this out!

[@Igornopolis]

2024. Strats rule the verse..

[@NudnikShpilkus]

The advice here in this video about adjusting the bridge screws for better floating bridge performance fixed 90% of my Strat's tuning issues. Going to look into a slightly taller string tree spacer so the angle behind the nut on the E and B strings is a little less severe, and give all the friction points another touch of lubrication. Grazie mille! ❤

[@frankgreen178]

One of THE best, if not the best series of videos on how to set up strat vibrato blocks. Slow and meticulous. And the hows and whys. Kudos.

[@ConstantineJajas]

Thank you so much for this. I just unlocked 100% of my Strat :) Never thought a six-screw trem could be this stable.

[@51MontyPython]

Why would a six-screw trem be any less stable?

[@HF1600ie]

@@51MontyPython mine's horrible!! I did this without success.

[@jazznotes3802]

@@HF1600ie Then it’s most likely not the Tremolo but something else, like the nut, string breaking angle or string tree coursing the issue. Even my Squier Bullet (with 6 screw trem) stays in tune, even with heavy trem use. The stings should break at the same angle (or close enough) and you must lubricate all string contact points with a very good lubricant. I use something called “Nut Sauce.” When setup correctly your guitar will function almost as good as a “double locking system.”

[@tintecobrizo]

@@jazznotes3802 interesting, never thought a squier bullet could be that stable. do you use locking tuners on that guitar, or does the stability come from the setup?

[@nedim_guitar]

​​@@tintecobrizo Locking tuners aren't the decisive factor for tuning stability. They are hardly even important. The nut, string tree, and the bridge are all contact points, or friction points, that can create issues with tuning stability.

[@bobceffo]

2 years has passed since I lernt from you... you changed my life. no kidding

[@punk434]

Roberto Zanrosso I still don't know how to set my Fender. :(

[@Xxmeca421xX]

@@punk434 tons of aggravation and setup adjustments

[@punkmusiclessons]

the Strat really is like something from the future - perfectly engineered

[@tommylarsson2025]

I've learned a lot by watching your videos. It's actually really fun to take care of your instrument and give it some love cause instruments always give it back to you. And with a "captain" like you, its a lot easier. Thanks a lot!

[@rustyshackleford4743]

Thanks a bunch man, my floating tremolo is staying in perfect tune. I never thought my Strat would be able to perform like this, so I kind of took a chance and just tried setting this up for fun, thinking I would probably have to change it back to resting on the body. But I didn't have to! I'm amazed at how well it stays in tune. Using a pencil on the nut slots works really well.

[@Icepacalapse]

This guy knows his physics. It's all about how the trem. meets the screws and paying attention to the small details. You have to have a sharp edge where it pivots. A lot of usage will wear the screws and the plate. This has often given a stock strat tremolo an undeserved reputation when what is needed is proper maintenance and service.

[@cecilmusick8629]

Your video's regarding Strat vibrato's are the very best, thank you!

[@g.m.6417]

I have been doing this since the mid seventies. Learned the tricks & secrets fom my cousin who was a well known guitarist who i lost ten years ago. Sometimes i use a regular nut & if it is slotted properly it will work. Mostly i use spertzel tuners, which were not available back then & a graphtech nut which slso was not popular back then but i got it to work ptetty good! I use neck srews instead of regular screws for the claw. I only use two springs because i find there is more tension because of the bridge floating! But there is one major trick that was not shown in this gentlemans video. If u get all these steps right it's just about flawless. I can put new strings on without even stretching them & i stay in tune well. But i do stretch the springs. I really use the trem & put it threw the ringer & stay in tune all night. People don't believe me until they actually play my guitars. I have about 6 strats & 5 telecasters & one tele with a tremelo. I also do it to an American standard bridge which will dive more profoundly! Either way i can dive or pull up & get those crazy whammy sounds & never have to worry if i am in tune.

[@Ronno4691]

Thank @#!% for fellows like your good self sharing this knowledge on KZbin. My friend's son bought a brand new Mex Strat like this and I noticed it was sold with a floating bridge like on this guitar and I thought to myself, "That is going to cost a fortune to get sorted when a string bursts!". A year on and I know how to help him now. Thank you.

[@Snowy0123]

by far the best information on setups I've ever seen anywhere. .excellent

[@emildefi74]

A lot of people say that is impossible a stratocaster stays in tune with a floating tremolo, but with this setup my strato stays perfect in tune also with a very high bridge! :)

[@stefanpalicki3538]

Nah dude you just need that *N U T S A U C E*

[@jonnihard1090]

Man i did this to a squire strat and I never thought it would ever be able to stay in tune. Thanks big time

[@giorgiocurcetti4001]

I applied all his tricks to my bog-standard £40 Encore imitation Strat and guess what....it works!!! I can do dive bombs, upward bends, Jeff Beck-style stuff, and it still stays in tune...

[@edimarquescharana5881]

So much GOOD info in your videos Frudua! Thank you in the first place! The 2 questions I have for you are about the "bonus tip" you teach in the video: 1 - how many mm you suggest the 2 outter screws should be raised? Or is it just a matter of experimenting (always keeping in mind that I'll have to lower the saddles in the same amount to compensate the raising of the screws)? 2 - how to be certain that I screw in the 4 inside screws to the same height of the 2 "pivot" screws? Sorry if these are basic doubts, but I'm trying to learn as much as possible in order to start doing my own setups and want to be sure I learn everything correctly! Cheers and thank you for your work!

[@ganondorf66]

This was exactly the amount of info I needed, nothing more nothing less, thanks!

[@MorrisChannel4]

wow, 9 year video and also included the same exact trem system and brand i have on my guitar. This worked wonders! thanks

[@elephantricity]

Yes, thanks Frudua! Thanks for giving away the secrets of the men who want our money! Never again will I go to a luthier.

[@TheForce_Productions]

I think the only reason to go to a luthier is for order him a new body or neck as we want them, ALL the rest of the adjustments of a guitar can be easily made by anyone.

[@월요일아침새-f1p]

Thanks Frudua! I'm Korean who use stratocaster type guitar. I want my guitar to floating bridge, and your video helped a lot. Now I can have both down/up ward movement. Thanks a lot again!

[@bluwng]

This is the best tutorial and most useful. The only other videos that are better are the series of videos you made on Stratocaster setup and tuning stability.

[@jonnihard1090]

Just wanna give another shoutout to this video. Its been almost a year since I seen this and my strat has been my main guitar ever since.

[@AleksandrsKarimovs]

Thank you! I did everything by your recommendations on my Squier classic vibe strat with stock bridge. It works flawlessly by 90% )). I replaced the stock flat saddles with those by Highwood, and put a tusq string tree. I'm using only two springs btw, set at an angle. I little problem however is about the 6 pivot bolts: since they don't have a curved slot (like most 2-bolt systems do) for a bridge plate to stick to, the latter sometimes travels up or down after shaking or dive-bombing. And that is a pain in ass, since both the tuning string action are getting affected. I tried to screw the two side bolts as low as possible, still allowing the bridge to flow, and it helped a little. I was browsing google to find solution and came across PRS pivot bolts (they have these slots). However I haven't found yet any reliable first-hand experience on using them on strats. So I'm wondering whether it's worth spending 40euros to try. I suspect they might not fit to the strat body, and the holes on the plate need to be shaped/sanded accordingly to stick. Any ideas? Has anyone tried them?

[@SafeAndTheGang]

I know this is old but I'd appreciate an update on whether you tried those PRS pivot bolts.

[@AleksandrsKarimovs]

@@SafeAndTheGang not yet. Overall I'm satisfied with how the bridge floats and keeps tune the "old way".

[@rollingstopp]

i drilled six inches of steel out of my trem block to help keep it in tune ..because frudua said so...This Guy is God with the Guitar

[@darienmann6448]

1) This has a deep drilled block. See the protruding ball end wraps? Also block is offset, G string has better angle. String behind saddle in block increases tension and tone, but left hand bend will pull out of tune. Drill to 1cm from top plate for better tuning. It's the only way to keep G in tune after bend without a whammy reset. 2) By narrowing high E saddle to clear nut and making top plate arm hole larger, modifying block to L shape (first drill thru for allen key access to retainer) a Floyd arm is easily mounted. Do this when tired of stripping threads and breaking arms. 3) File away forward edge of top plate back to screws, restore bevel, and much more dive is available, an octave on A with 10's. Still much more tone than a floyd but inexpensive and reliable as well.

[@Nikkimaya1]

Thanks for showing us how to set up my vibrator. The old lady is gonna love it.

[@savz1536]

This guy's voice is so soothing

[@danpricop7214]

i removed the string trees,I used some grapfhite pencil for nut and sadles and is perfect.It stays in tune on bendings,dive bombing,etc...And is freaking cheap guitar,something like 120 euros (aria stg 003). Thank You Frudua!

[@blackfender100]

Thanks Fruda I always watch your videos. very informative.I have learned a lot from you I appreciate the effort .

[@antin5504]

These are GREAT stuff Frudua! I think finally I'm starting to get idea how stratocaster bridge should be setup to actually stay in tune :)

[@chusssMusic]

Great video. Can you please advise on what is the best sequence to setup a 6-bolt start guitar? tremolo, action, intonation. which should be done first to achieve the best setup? Thanks, keep the good work up.

[@wormlord42]

Tremolo, then action then intonation because you're moving from the most to least degrees of freedom

[@ludwigdrummers]

Damn man ! Your Stratocaster-series are awesome ! You helped me very much with my loved guitar :)

[@claytoncampbell7541]

Well, you saved another life over here, seven years on. Many thanks for this! 🍻

[@orlandopelletier5036]

hey Frudua - thanks for your videos, I have learned alot about setups from you, i have tried other methods for keeping the vintage bridge in tune - there are many different ways of doing it some work better then others and they all have pros and cons but in my opinion the Frudua method is the best for floating bridge, its not perfect, but ITS THE BEST for those who want a vintage 6 screw floating bridge....in the end thou (and this is just a personal thing, matter of opinion) all the trouble of maintaining the tuning on a floating bridge just isint worth it, i just screwed it down in the end and gain trouble free tuning giving up my ability to raise pitch with whammy....for me it was worth it, plus if you palm mute much the floating bridge can be pain for that too

[@mcwip543]

9:02 "mmmmm~" 😂😂 but seriously. Thanks. I've had my strat hardtailed for a while and wanted it to work correctly again

[@SayonaraSixString]

An instrument from the future! This is great thanks!

[@SuperStig23]

This guy really knows his stuff, but he reminds me so much Father Guido Sarduchi from early SNL All I know is his English is a LOT better than my Italian and even if you have to listen to it a couple of times to get past the accent it's well worth it. Thank for sharing your knowledge Buddy !!

[@xxedelbrockxx]

I have become a pretty successful guitar tech thanks to you!

[@antonioleon8041]

Thank you very much my friend, i have been waiting for more of your videos for a very long time, and i heard you uploaded a new one i couldnt wait to get home and learn some of your very useful knowledge, thanks again my friend we follow you blindly!!

[@sentiasabelajar7431]

you are the best tutorial on youtube...easy to understand.

[@utubehound69]

Thank you Frudua Tv this video help me get my PRS w/six screw saddle to work floating like a Floyd w/Perfect tuning after using the trem!!! Thank you very much you got it nailed. I did see an interesting vid of a guy that ran three springs & he tilted the spring claw to distribute the tension on the strings i.e. the low side more tension & the high side less tension on the claw so that the claw is at an angle / . I'm trying to get my strat to do as well as the PRS but not as much success.

[@Sumkindamon]

Great video. Thanks! I'm confused on why the hell i didn't see it before...

[@angrybabka9483]

Omg man, I was surprised to hear familiar voice) I'm very excited bout your vocal harmonies videos

[@joerchf]

Hi, I have enjoyed all of your videos so far - very precise and helpful. However, you mentioned in a video two years ago that you would make a video on pickup adjustment. May we still hope that you will teach us how to adjust pickups? Thanks!

[@MrRandyterrell]

Thats a Beautiful Strat!

[@joeybaima5139]

Hey, Us Itallians Rock !!! My Great Grand parents Are From Milan. You Have Excellent Vids.

[@DrepaKVHA]

Well he does have italian roots. There are plenty of people whose families had to emigrate and later on in life find out where they were originally from and eventually even move there because they like it. So I see nothing wrong with him consedering himself italian. Good for him! No need to hate.

[@g.m.6417]

Italian my self. That's why i have the tricks & secrets. Lol!

[@MrJosinka47]

Dear Sir, in case of a floating tremelo, do I need to fix the tremelo before beginning the complete setup?Hoping on some clear answer please.

[@gorimus]

Thanks for the detailed instructuions. In you experince, which is vibrato system is a better option on the strat in terms of stability and operation: 6-point or 2-point? Thanks in advance!

[@toneclassics]

Nice Job Fratello! Very clear and easy to follow.

[@emmetshinners3682]

Watch all the videos... practice... then, do it your own way and be confident. Don't do anything until you know (understand) what you're doing, and then accept that you might have (not understood) got it wrong and have to do it again...

[@larasta9459]

Thanks man. this is so helpful . i learn many things about the bridge ..

[@yohanonshine4664]

Guitar I am fixing this was best method, I'm still having intonation problem wit low e, 6th string slightly sharp at 12th feet, also tune with block of paper under bridge then take it out and bring it back with the spring tensioner thank you so much

[@TheForce_Productions]

You really know how to stress trem hahahaha Greetings from Buenos Aires!

[@DougHinVA]

The Strat saddles have the Allen screws sticking up to chafe your right hand if you play close to the bridge. The neck to body angle or shorter Allen screws should take care of that.

[@simongroot5246]

4:03 when you get frustraded because your can't play a hard riff...

[@sunnys3325]

I love this guy AND his accent!!

[@kyrsp33dysolderpicture28]

I rose the trem screws as in the end of the video, whenever i use the trem i can hear and see the trem moving up and down the screws.

[@bluwng]

He is soooo smart how could he overlook this detail. Lower it and raise the saddles, doesn't improve as much as he says, or buy notched screws

[@johnnybrown9581]

4:03 that’s quite a feat without a locking system

[@Juliana_So_Unique]

8:00 is very important. Excellent tutorial.

[@giorgiocurcetti4001]

Hey folks! Geezer's italian. It equals with total quality. Gloria d'Italia

[@NMranchhand]

Another super video! Thank you very much. Your English is excellent. Please allow me to contribute that the sound of the "I" in pivot is the same as in the word "it", and that, "height" rhymes with "bite, "light", and "night."

[@LuxeXx]

Your English is excellent. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@gracegrace790]

Simple to follow video yet I don't have a decent tuner like yours Frudua so, I will have to opt out and accept my tremolo bridge as it is. I have a tremolo set in a box I wanted to install now I see my tuner isn't as good as yours I can't risk messing up the half steps. may I ask what tuner you use Frudua ?--I have a seiko ST737 :-) --I don't film or upload to youtube as I dont have the equiptment for it, thank you for your knowledge and time to bother to upload this! I applaud you!

[@samuelcf97]

Grace hallons how did you make that thing on the text

[@gracegrace790]

ah someone crossed it out on youtube nothing to do with me it's censorship by youtube but, at least you can see just under the line what it is. hope it helps great informative veideos thank you have a nice weekend!

[@jubjub905]

A good peterson is always great, however a $15 korg works, hell your tuner will work just fine

[@diomidis]

Thanks for this video. I did the setup in my cv strat, but the tremolo is very stiff.. what you advise me to do? Thanks in advance

[@thinksmart1st]

Enjoyed your video as a tinkerer extraordinary there is no way that I would want to set-up a guitar vibrato not without the internet. It just so happened this evening the grandson friend ask me to fix his yahama the low E string had snapped and since the wammy bar guitar tuning is different I wanted to learn more about it. Your video is very helpful.

[@bigc-yw6jm]

I really need all the expertise you offer. i recently bought a used 96 strat that needs most of the adjustments you cover I wish you could do it for me. So awsome your videos!

[@rotanal9563]

Hi, Galeazzo, thank you for the video, very interesting. A year after the purchase of my first MIM strat, I sadly discovered that the wooden and steel holes of the vibrato arm are slightly misaligned. I am still able to screw the arm but it fits skew, and at rest it has not got aligned with the body of the guitar. Any chance to fix this annoying issue?

[@Explivious]

if I understand correctly, it is a minor issue, if it fits, you can bend the bar to your liking with some tools/knowledge, it does not need to screw in all the way or be tight unless that is what you prefer. It obviously does not look great or professional to have it wiggle around freely but it will still function perfectly

[@johnhyde5517]

Have you don a video of how to setup a PRS custom 24 Frudua, I used your video to do my 2 pivot Strat, I set that up no problem following your video, thank you.

[@bookcase666]

Hello. I have question. One of my strat for out of standart tuning. I use for chancing Eb to Db Drop, D tuning or something else. But I want use front side vibration, not floating, baseplate touch the body. Can I use this adjust without no floating? And how to adjust tremolo spring? Thanks for all video..

[@benjaminv.4606]

Thanks Frudua this has been very useful

[@TheAchillers]

thanks Mr Frudua really nice tips I enjoy your videos - very useful!!

[@JaggusBaro]

Does this change the intonation of the guitar after adjusting it?

[@afterforever33]

Your videos is always very helpfull, thank you very much!!!

[@nathantolbert877]

AHAAAA!!!! My low E string has slightly sharp intonation (octave is 5-7 cents sharp compared to open) even though the set screw is bottomed out. I had no idea what was going on. I had no idea that you could adjust the entire bridge!!!! TY!

[@thisisradioclash311]

Been waiting for this. Thank you!!!

[@cpnetube]

Marvelous Explanation!

[@tonyalto1014]

Thanks! Learned a bunch! Great instructions.

[@backlineguy]

Love the videos...I will donate...also, how can I set the saddle height to allow for the best possibility of staying in tune when using the term system again? confused about that please.

[@arnyarny77]

i prefer the six screw bridge, and i also prefer the way it looks, i dont care for floating at all, just flush with the stock five springs

[@omeletshakya]

Hi there, these videos are awesome. Thanks. What is your opinion on locking tuners and tuning stability? Would using your wrapping technique eliminate need for locking tuners? I hear different opinions of trem use and tuning stability with locking tuners. Thanks again

[@sebasoilher8454]

Which tremolo bridge do you recommend for a Yamaha pacífica? The string space is 10.5 mm. I want to swap the stock one for a wilkinson. Thanks great tutorial.

[@eaeaJPP]

you are amazing men! the best demostration ever. respect

[@TheGuitarModder]

I don't quite follow what you mean at 11 mins with the bonus trick. You say raise the out screws the same height at the the string, then lower the saddles the same distance? I think full demo of this would be good.

[@jubjub905]

Ok, he raises the bridge to raise the overall action. Which requires him to lower the saddles to compensate for the bridge being raised. Now look at the strings coming out of the block and then over the saddle, he is reducing friction by decreasing the steepness of the angle of the string crossing over the saddle by lowering the saddle, however he raises the whole bridge to adjust for the action. Make sense?

[@rickyrod4729]

Mark Rist you loosen the middle four to the point where they are higher than the two outside screws so they won't be in the way.Then you make the adjustment with the outside screws. Then you tighten the inside four to the point where they are the same height as the outer two screws. If you tighten them all the way then you put the bridge back out of adjustment.

[@AdrianClement]

I set up my vintage trem to float and I achieved the desired intervals with correct intonation and action. It is performing in both directions, pulling up and pushing down. My question; is it expected to have a high gap between deck and bridge? Mine appears very wide. Should I be concerned? If so does it mean that I need to approach my setup differently? My action and intonation was set prior to adjusting the claw. Not to mention my springs are in a V formation, should I parallel them instead? My strat is not staying in tune. Thank you sir in advance. Hope to hear back

[@Beachbumartist]

Can you please tell me how to change the strings on guitar as I recently was given one and don't know how to change the strings. Do I take the six screws up to take out the strings? thank you.

[@mcmdrpiffle447]

And....just subscribed and recommended. Hope you're still out there Frudua Tv Guy......

[@frankzander7151]

Nice video, very useful. I just used it as instructons to set up the tremolo of my 20 Euro Strat copycat, and it is about stable...as good as it gets, I suppose. Thanks for your effort, man.

[@outriderV]

What about a Squire Standard. Only two screws one on each side, not six like a Strat.. When i replaced the factory strings the saddle - bridge is tilted way up now. I hear people say tighten, but no then it's loosen the screws, etc. So which is it. But they are always referring to a 6 screw strat bridge. Can't anyone help with a Squire? please? Thanks.

[@hyperboleno7]

great video, helped me a lot! ps. loving the spanish accent!

[@stratovanzo]

He's Italian not Spanish😁

[@bobfretts8094]

Nice video! What size HEX nut is being used? Thank you.

[@chavruta2000]

You're the best, man.

[@directive-4]

Thanks for the video. I did not quite get the saddles part near the end(where you raise the outer pivots). The other question i have is, why bother with a 6 point when you make it act like a 2 point? Is there any advantage to a 6 point? Speaking of saddles i do notice that my high e string saddle tends to shift horizontally (to the floor)after playing and i dont know why! It effects my tuning everytime! Have you ever encountered this problem? Anyway thanks and well done for the great work you do.

[@GiantPinhead]

This is fantastic! Thank you.

[@daverodriguez1018]

How many Spring is recomended to make a perfect floating bridge? Or what is your recommend?🙂 (Six Screw)

[@benjaminv.4606]

Frudua, thanks for the video tutorial, very helpful. I have one question, from a design standpoint will counter sunk screws ease vibrato performance, just an idea?

[@Ky6Stringer]

Clear as mud.

[@boogierandy7547]

great explanation and information.

[@mvp019]

Mile grazie Galeazzo! What kind of tuner is that?

[@krauz111]

very good info, thanks for the video