Floating a Gotoh Wilkinson VS100?

[AleForce1]

I notice with my custom Warmoth chambered strat that the Gotoh Wilkinson VS100 tremolo block is touching in the back of the guitar.  I was hoping to be able to float this bridge similar to what I have on my Fender Jeff Beck Strat.  Any ideas on what I can do to make this happen?  Was it routed wrong when it was built?  I bought the bridge along with the custom body.

 

[bagman67]

Back out the screws holding the trem spring claw in place until it floats when tuned to pitch.

 

[AleForce1]

Thanks, I'll give that a try. It's always the easy stuff with me.

 

[stratamania]

Yes you need to balance string and spring tension... see this sticky at the top of the Hardware section. The second video is probably the most applicable.

Setting up your Tremolo or Floyd Rose

 

[rauchman]

It's all in balancing the string tension against the spring tension for the trem.  Changing # of springs and screwing / unscrewing the trem claw will get you there.

 

[gingataff]

Other things that affect the tension of the springs are the angle (angled springs are effectively shorter than straight ones), the number of springs, and the actual tension of the spring (you can buy them in various tensions to match your string gauge/tuning).

Personally I'd start by taking out the middle spring and see where that leaves you, and work from there.

 

[bagman67]

Other things that affect the tension of the springs are the angle (angled springs are effectively shorter than straight ones), the number of springs, and the actual tension of the spring (you can buy them in various tensions to match your string gauge/tuning).

Personally I'd start by taking out the middle spring and see where that leaves you, and work from there.

All very good points.  I'd elaborate by saying angled springs have more tension on them than straight ones of the same unexpanded length, so reorienting them as straight could relieve some of that tension so the bridge would come up off the top of the guitar a little more.

 

[TBurst Std]

As you go through this, remember to do not want slack springs at neutral. In fact, take a feeler gauge and make sure the distance between coils is the same across all your springs.  (Just sharing a secret).
Ideally, at full depression, you would still want the springs to not go slack.

 

[AleForce1]

Thanks for all of the input.