Tremolo springs help & advice

[Rab R]

Hi,
I'm new here and looking for some help/advice to find a suitable set of tremolo springs that will give me a smooth fluid tremolo feel without too much resistance, as it stands thats not the case with springs presently fitted on the guitar/trem.
I recently bought a pre-loved Warmoth Strat style guitar that has a Warmoth Gibson scale Strat neck (24.75"), it has a Super-Vee Bladrunner tremolo fitted, its an amazing guitar, its just I find the tremolo a bit to heavy for me.... presumably due to the scale of the neck. I use 9 gauge strings on the guitar, I've already tried FU-Tone yellow springs, they did not solve the issue... if anyone has experienced the same issues I would be grateful to hear how you overcame this or solution suggestions.

Many thanks in advance,
Rab

 

[Tretgeraet]

Is the trem decked, (down-only) or floating?

 

[Rab R]

Floating

 

[rauchman]

Hmmm, I have some tremolo experience, but wouldn't consider myself an expert. I'm not familiar with the Super-Vee, but I'm assuming it uses a standard 5 pt trem claw?

If you feel the usage has a heavy feel, I'd try....
Use 1 less spring. If using 3 springs, try using 2 springs, but use the outside tremblock tremspring holes routed to the position 2 and 4 points on the trem claw. You may have to screw the trem claw closer into the body to increase spring tension

Or

Bring the trem claw further out from the body using the existing springs, as this will lessen the tension a bit

The downside to both of these methods is that if the trem is floating and you bend a string, the tuning of the other strings will be more affected by going flat easier.

It's all a balancing act between string tension and spring tension, which also includes how close/far the tremclaw is in relation to where it screws in.

 

[Rab R]

Thanks for your feedback/suggestions, i've tried those to an extent - although not 2 x springs, 1 x either side of the claw. Not sure I understand your 2nd suggestion, would that not just pull the trem forward lifting the action along with it.

 

[supertruper1988]

less springs feel smoother (basic spring physics) so if you need more than 3 for your tuning/string gauge setup then try out the "high tension" springs. Several places sell them and they are usually red. I have seen "ultra high tension" as well but never tried them. If you have 3 springs and want more smooth, then try 2 "high tension" springs.

 

[Tretgeraet]

You might try to get a longer arm.

 

[rauchman]

Thanks for your feedback/suggestions, i've tried those to an extent - although not 2 x springs, 1 x either side of the claw. Not sure I understand your 2nd suggestion, would that not just pull the trem forward lifting the action along with it.

By going to less # of springs, you'll reduce the overall tension, however, everything will be more sensitive to string bends.

Now that I think about it, keeping your spring setup and changing the distance of the claw only may bring problems with keeping the bridge level to the body. By moving it away from the body / lengthening the screw length, it will reduce the overall tension of the springs and will pull the bridge forwards / upwards a bit, while bringing the claw closer to the body / shortening the screw length will lower the rear of the bridge a bit by putting more tension on the springs.