Shawn Tubbs' Strat Trem Secrets

Shawn Tubbs gives YOU the secrets to great trem action & some tricks you can use once it feels great & stays in tune. In the style of Jeff Beck, Michael Landau, Dann Huff, Jimmy Herring, & more.
Carl Verheyen video Shawn references: • Carl Verheyen: Whammy ...
Doug Doppler video series Shawn references: • The D20 Sound Tone Tip...
Using his ‪@fender‬ Ultra Stratocaster.
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[@Jesse_Johnson]

Thank you for talking in notes and not fret numbers. So much more helpful to me. ❤ looked this up because I miss Jeff. I know you do too. 🍻 Shawn.

[@RevvAmps]

RIP Jeff. Huge inspiration for us.

[@bdobberstein]

I could watch and listen to these videos all day... I love how Shawn breaks it down and is so down to earth. Also, I think he must be at the 20,000 hour level at this point... 🤯

[@santosmadrigal3702]

I floss my nut with the disposable floss toothpick thingies .

[@plexibreath]

Great video, thanks! Trem playing is the cornerstone of my style. Michael Caswell was a master of the trem. It was such a shame he died. But you have to listen to his trem playing.

[@fivewattworld]

Love the “grown up” chords in the intro Shawn!

[@ShawnTubbs]

Haha, thanks, Keith. Those are the few that I know!

[@Glicksman1]

My Eric Johnson Strat has no string trees, the headstock and is scooped bit deeper and the tuner are height compensated. This is a great guitar for all of this trem stuff, and its pickups are amazing as you might guess.

[@spacerockwizard]

I have an early one from '06. (I want to get another one). It stays in tune pretty well and I abuse the bar sometimes.

[@godbyone]

If u want a fender strat. That is the overall. The very best one. It’s custom shop quality. Pick up s are great. It’s one of the few. That the middle pick up is awesomene

[@AndyK.23]

Cool trem action! I also saw that Carl Verheyem video! it's now 10 years old, in 360p - but still fun to watch him - and his "$300 off the wall Tex Mex Strat"!

[@ShawnTubbs]

Yeah, Carl is a talented dude!

[@rabbirelax]

Awesome stuff!

[@bingefeller]

One of the greatest unsung trem players is Michael Lee Firkins. His playing is just incredible.

[@louiscyfer6944]

indeed

[@MikeCindyWhite]

Sounds amazing as always bro! Thanks for the tips 🎸🎸👍

[@mikeoxley9121]

The live Huff I saw was with Giant - Dann was fantastic! In the studio, he was a one-take-wonder. Truly remarkable.

[@SylvanTuck]

Excellent... Thank you.

[@artreno5135]

I really enjoy using the floating trem bar .. you can add so many little nuances and pull notes around .. my favorite players have that vibe that I gravitate to .. Thanx Shawn for all you do ..

[@legzalez]

awesome! thanks as always for the info

[@plankspankersparadise3113]

👌🏼🤘🏼 Thanx for the great vid Shawn!

[@TomsRockHouse]

Great! All my trem loaded guitars are installed free floating, the way Carl does. But I still don't use it. So your video is a good reminder to get into those tricks again. Thanks!

[@godbyone]

Great great video. Very practical

[@daievans2637]

ive watched and used the same vid for setups , its great

[@chrislestermusic]

I have Vega trems on 4 of my strats and I loooove this style of playing. I’m a huge Landau and Beck fan so this ticked off the perfect boxes. Thanks Shawn!

[@ShawnTubbs]

Thanks, Chris!

[@alexguitarfan6447]

Love seeing Mike Landau's amazing trem style demonstrated and such a great player to demonstrate it thanks Shawn :-)

[@PaulSter]

Great overview Shawn. Thank you! I found your channel via a G3 web search) and have been somewhat binging on all of them! Great content, great playing. I also enjoy your self-effacing manner and your great sense of humor when you're in that mood (I'm thinking of the one comparing your "strats".). I'm with you on the trem floating. I like how gently you can wiggle the bar when it's floating - while I have some of my Strats decked (generally, just the ones that I switch tunings on). Some folks just don't get it - calling it lazy or lack of bending skills. Any time I would see that I ask them, "well explain to me how you can hit your... Let's say an A on the G string, and go above AND below the note. Crickets...or if they were exceptionally obtuse, they would say 'you bend up and then wiggle', and then I would ask about doing that with chords. Lol. That would clinch the argument! Haha BTW - I noticed the metal Fender Stratocaster logo. I'm assuming that's one of the original Deluxes? I got one in '98 when they first came out and it remains my favorite Strat of the seven I have. I liked the Vintage Noiseless well enough, but ultimately wanted a more traditional style and tone and dropped some Fralin "Woodstock '69"s in it with fresh pots and 5-way. But those VNs found a home in my MIJ 50's Strat and they're fantastic in it. Win-win! Take care, Paul in Austin

[@markjohnson9485]

Love the video, dude you was jammin! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@steveg.3022]

This is cool! I instantly recognized the Jeff Beck sound. I new he used the whammy (trem) bar from watching the Ronnie Scott DVD, but this instruction gave me some insight into how it’s done. Thanks.

[@Jbsantos54]

This is awesome broo great lesson you are dine player cant wait to go home and gran my guitar👍🏻👍🏻

[@azpestsolutions]

Great sound!

[@mikeoxley9121]

Cool video, Shawn! Your Trem style reminds me a bit of Scott Henderson’s. His use is part of his signature style, which is incredible. Have seen him live many times. Have also seen Landau and Huff live (was at Dann’s house in Nashville, after a couple sessions I attended with him). Saw Landau at the Baked Potato during the ‘08 NAMM - he was great! His Trem use was very good, and his Trem use on Tales is legendary, how he would pull UP to a chord. Very cool!

[@raymondjamesrivera]

I tried Carl Verheyen’s set up and it works great! It only goes slightly out of tune if you dive bomb. I don’t really play like that, but even when I do it as a goof I just have to slightly pull up on the bar and it goes back in tune.

[@piperofsimms]

I heard "2 Rivers" the other night for the first time. Going to start working with trem. Thx Shawn for the inspiration. Tucson

[@frankardos4211]

This is why i love you Shawn........you just got it dude. God knows brother. Sweet.......sweet playin' my boy. .....and love it i shall continue. Bless you bro

[@mikec6733]

I appreciate your trem lesson. It's musical.

[@bobgreenlee7852]

Just a class act!

[@garypatrick2881]

Dude, that was fun!

[@Mordi_B]

Very very interesting! Thank you for that Shawn. Greetings.

[@ShawnTubbs]

Thanks Mordi!

[@e.papascottcolvin7921]

I was working on my trem and my bar broke off in the bridge. I think I will have to drill it out. You have a nice Jeff Beck sound.

[@chrisquinn9104]

Sounds like Chris Poland. He got the idea from Jan Hammer’s pitch wheel. You are awesome

[@skittlesstarburst4532]

Cool vid. I just set my strat back up with the tremo floating. I thought I had 5 springs, seems like its not staying in tune like it used to. Something always ventures outta tune after a few dives

[@luigicannizzo2669]

Very Good ( vdc ) Istructional on Guitar " Style " - Sound ' s Technic. .. Great Touch and Filling. .. Thanks so Much Mr. Tubbs for your Work's on Music/Guitar Concept. .. Nice One ... ☺😊😀/💙💙💙/👍👌👏👋

[@ibrajimenez2098]

Coming from metal and prog. I realized my blues skills are none existent. Thank you for the lesson.

[@javymontoya]

Hell yeah man! Great tips! Dude, if the Guitar is equipped with a bar, I’m using it, so heck with the guy who said, could you live without one lol. Also, it’s definitely part of your awesome flavor. I’m gonna work a couple of these out.

[@vitinre]

Hey Shawn have you considered making a video of Eric Johnson technique? Cheers.

[@wardscleaver9189]

I Like how your Tortise Shell pickguard Hides that Zebra Stripe Humbucker you Loaded in it ...Great Playing Great Lesson THANK YOU

[@aarondurham75]

Great tips Shawn! Are your two pivot screws tightened down all the way?

[@micahgerdis1008]

You know the guy that said that about "living without it" wishes he could do it. Sounds killer...

[@frantisca]

Sounds great. The thing is to be easy enough on the trem to stay in tune... harder to say than do: needs a lot of training ;-)

[@henrybonruiz]

Sir, how many springs are you using in your trem, 2? String gauge .008s or .009s? Thank you very much.

[@Casey3-P-O]

I have that exact strat. Edit. Nevermind maybe now. It looks like you have possibly the Elite strat. But I have the player plus. It's crazy to me that they made them in such similar finishes.

[@L.Scott_Music]

Hey Shawn, thoughts on the Wilkinson locking trem that Suhr uses? Do you have any?

[@ShawnTubbs]

I don't have any experience with that setup. It's an interesting concept for sure.

[@sojerz1044]

Great stuff! So all your strings go up almost a whole step when pulling back instead of using the precise intervals for different strings like Carl Verheyen did?

[@andycasile]

I know this is an old comment, but leaving this here in case anyone finds it helpful. If the G string goes up a whole step, the B string will go up a little more than a half step and the high E string will go up slightly less than a half step. The low E will behave similarly to the G string, and the A and D should go up somewhere between a half step and a whole step. The Carl Verheyen video is a bit misleading - regardless of how the claw is slanted, a Strat trem set for a three semitone pull on the 3rd string will always have the same set of intervals. There is no way to significantly change this behavior without a completely different bridge design. Hope this helps somebody.

[@clemguitar63]

Shawn be nimble, Shawn be quick, Shawn show us how to use that wiggle stick!

[@VibhasPatil]

Shawn, have you tried the John Mann Trem on guitars apart from PRS? I've always loved the PRS Trem and am thinking of putting that on my Fender. Any thoughts? Thanks man, loved this video! Great stuff as always!

[@ShawnTubbs]

I think at this point, most modern non-locking trems are great. I've got Wilk, Gotoh, and PRS trems and they all work really well when they're set up correctly. Thanks so much for watching.

[@VibhasPatil]

@@ShawnTubbs Thanks Shawn!

[@mcmillanalex]

Reminds me of "Nadia" by Jeff Beck

[@deluxairhead]

Carls vid is still up watched it again today, he's onto it, and a killer player much in the vain as your good self ST.........

[@ShawnTubbs]

Thanks very much, Wayne!

[@tonidimauro1]

What model Tremolo is this ??

[@sloppy_hand]

Can it be done somehow with a Jazzmaster whammy bar?

[@alexaraya2018]

hey dude my tremolo doesnt do them chirps...how come?

[@jasong546]

I think I need that amp, whichever it is

[@RevvAmps]

Either G20 or D20 will get you what you need! Shawn uses both all the time.

[@sesarsehatsantoso8459]

Reminds me to jeff beck

[@frankardos4211]

....and amidst the turmoil surf.......the fowl of the air smile down upon us........in agreement.....

[@HiHello-ku1fl]

That's a cool sound to use once in awhile but I feel I get tired of it quickly for some reason. Use sparingly for sure. I know I will get killed for saying this but I prefer early Jeff Beck because again I grow tired of the trem thing for some reason. I love your playing Shawn and I know you don't go too far with it. Very tasteful. Peace brother.

[@ShawnTubbs]

Totally understand. There's a balance for sure. Thanks for watching!

[@thecentralscrutinizerr]

We should put a band together.

[@thorpenator9148]

The trem gives you more options...like the pedal of a slide guitar.

[@orlandorodriguez4408]

I like hearing players work the trem, but I prefer hard tail strats. They’re less trouble but I have to say the trem sounds more vocal.

[@ShawnTubbs]

Hard tail strats sound great!

[@TheTaulusPaulus]

Banner job again Shawn

[@ShawnTubbs]

Thanks very much, I appreciate it!

[@FURDOG1961]

0:00

[@sofoclispetrosjulyan1397]

worried life blues chords

[@jonathanthornton3894]

How do you get the bar to stay put when you aren’t holding it up? Mine just drops down.

[@mat431]

Depending on your trem system, there’s a lock nut just behind the tremolo. You can tighten that nut to lock your trem in a specific position.

[@billpoplin2534]

Get fenders trem springs

[@PooNinja]

My motto has always been, if it ain’t double lockin don’t go a rockin. just grab a slice a wood and start a blockin 🤘🏽

[@chrisyoung8062]

I saw Carl's video years ago. I don't think his assumption that adjusting the springs with different tension, by angling the claw, allows for getting the amount of pitch up or down differently on each string makes any sense. The part of the bridge where the springs connect is completely rigid and that spreads the force evenly over the entire mechanism. It's the combined tension of the springs that matters, not where it is applied. He says it's Physics but I think he's wrong IMO. He's a great player though.

[@ShawnTubbs]

Yes, I thought the same thing. The platform is rigid so there's no way there can be a variance from one side to the other until I tried it. Now I will concede that mileage may vary but it worked. It's weird for sure.

[@chrisyoung8062]

@@ShawnTubbs The reason it works out that if the 1st string is adjusted for a half step the 2nd and 3rd will give you approximately a whole step is just because the difference in gage of the strings. Pulling with less tension on one side than the other would only have an effect if the bridge could be torqued sideways but off course it can't because it moves on the two screws and can only swing on one axis not two. Darrell Braun has a video where he sets this up and he doesn't tilt the claw at all and still gets the same intervals. But I'm cool if you guys want to set it up that way. Whatever you're doing is working because you and Carl are amazing guitarists. :)

[@ShawnTubbs]

@@chrisyoung8062 The intervals don't matter to me. It's the way it comes back in tune.

[@ShawnTubbs]

If the G string is pulling a full step then it stands to reason that the B string will pull about a half step. The claw axis has more effect on the intonation after the trem is brought all the way down and then back up.

[@chrisyoung8062]

@@ShawnTubbs however you do it, it sounds great when you play it. Can't argue with results! BTW do you have any guitars with Bixbys? It's a whole different feel to me.

[@Music.is.my.Fuel.]

Cool demo! This is just me or the headstock of that strat looks wierd? 🤪

[@ShawnTubbs]

Thanks for watching!

[@vintagepipesnightmares]

You use your fingers because the trem arm is to far from the strings. That’s why Leo decided that 1/8” of the body is the number. It brings the bar perpendicular and close as possible to the strings. So you can attack the strings with it in your hand. Nothing to do with tones and semitones. JB has it 1/8” of body. He knows 👍👍

[@jerbear1601]

Why do ALL guitar You tubers have whisper quiet vocal mics and blasting guitar tracks? Doesn't anyone own a mixer anymore?

[@ajpeagle]

The Carl video is total BS.

[@johnsolis7631]

His intonation when playing is bad, that’s why he can’t play beck stuff.