String spacing

[erogenousjones17]

Quick noob question: What measurements do I need to take into consideration when choosing a Strat trem to make sure I have the right string spacing? Is it mostly the nut width? Also, is a two-point trem hard to install or is it just a matter of drilling holes with a drill press and driving home the studs? Obviously there's more to it than that, but for some reason I find that part more intimidating than drilling six holes for a vintage-style trem. Thanks.

 

[Nando Vallart]

Hummm man, if you're not sure you'd better not mess...

The 2 point trem is avaiable by Warmoth and they install the studs for $10...

You can install them with a drill press (probably the easier way), but you might CERTIFY that it's straight before press it or you can damage the body or studs...

 

[erogenousjones17]

Duly noted.  :icon_biggrin:

However, I'm fitting a bridge to a body I have lying around, not a Warmoth. Even if I chicken out on installing it myself, I still need to make sure I get the right width. How do I go about doing that?

 

[MedianMusic1]

You need to know the scale length of the neck and body that you're going to use in order to properly intonate the guitar. If you decide on a 2-point floating tremolo, you can find out the required width of the stud holes by measuring them yourself or by consulting the technical notes and/or manufacturer. I drilled and installed tremolo studs once when I replaced a FR for a Wilkinson. Bolt-on the neck, string up the guitar and align the bridge on the body. The low and high E strings should each be at least 1/8 of an inch away from the edge of the fret board. Mark the stud holes. After you've drilled the stud holes with a drill press you can gently tap in the studs.

 

[Nando Vallart]

http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Bodies/Options/BridgeRoutingOptions.aspx

 

[erogenousjones17]

So I'm still shopping for a replacement bridge, and after asking this question all over I still haven't managed to find quite the answer I'm looking for. Here goes.

I have a Strat body and neck that I want to buy a trem for. The neck has a 1 11/16" nut, and the width at the heel is 2 1/8". I want to make sure the bridge I buy has the proper string spacing. A six-hole vintage trem with a 2 7/32" string spacing is too wide (i.e. it's wider than the width of the fretboard at the heel). Logically, a bridge with a 2 1/8" string spacing should do the trick, right?

 

[blue313]

Yeah it should.  MIM spacing is 2-1/16"

 

[erogenousjones17]

Would 1/16" make a huge difference? And who makes a good 2 1/16" trem? They seem a little harder to come by.