I spent one hour and now my 2 strats have the angled trem claw ... tuned them back up and played for awhile ... amazing and much better control with the tremelo bar. Thanks for the info
I have followed all of Frudua’s recommendations and it has made a world of difference. The Jeff Beck method seems to me to be the ultimate floating vibrato setup…it isn’t exactly THE Carl Verhayen method and it isn’t the Buzz Feiten method obviously. Yet in practice, I think whatever Jeff did yielded the best results in a floating scenario. I set mine up Van Halen style for decked/“dive-only” operation. I use more springs than Edward, who typically used two or three. I use all five springs. I’ve had excellent results. Perfect tuning stability for hours upon hours of left hand bending and vibrato bar use…I’ve played for over 8 hours in this way and I check my pitch on each string periodically with my Peterson StroboPLUS HDC and other Strobo HD series strobe tuners and the strobe display remains PERFECTLY caged over all that time and all that aggressive playing. I would like to have a Strat set up to float in the style of Jeff Beck, Hendrix and Blackmore and Yngwie and if I did, I would follow this methodology.
Fantastic information, especially regarding Jeff's preferences, thank you. BTW you can add the link to the video you mention in the description so people don't have to go hunting for it.
All good info here,I would add that the angle of up travel should corolate to the open g string going up to a minor 3rd or a# when pulling the trem all the way to the body "decked".by the way play a d chord and pull it all the way back ;)
I used two springs . Spring and string tension should be equal. I used to leave the strings flat and tune it up to pitch with the springs and then fine tune it and of course I lubricated everything and I mean everything. I did all that when I was younger now I'm old and too lazy to do it. Actually that's why my name is stringLocker. Long story
Ive had guitarists in 80s that had that slant. When i picked up guitar and got into playing i thought that was the correct way but watched the over produced big sub pros and never got that info. So i did it anyway as my old bandmates did it. I have never had tuning issues tough thank God ive just been super lucky. Thats the ones with the tilt and ones without. I even tried an even claw with differing spring tensions of spring by design and that worked too. So i am lucky i suppose no matter what. Lol. Great info man. Old school is key. It worked for the pros then. Will work now.
Yep, the 10 degree claw angle really helps tuning stability. Feels a little softer too. I set up my EB Cutlass to float now and love it. I think it helps it resonate and ring better, even more bell like. Great video and to the point sir thank you ! Subscribed
That's the problem with standard springs. They were never made with .008s in mind. So, right off the bat, I remove 2 of them. Never seen a staggered spring setup till now but if the bridge is not able to drop at an angle based on strings (like deeper on the low E etc) then I don't see how angling the springs really makes a big difference but maybe it does. Maybe it will help equalize the tension across the bridge and work better. Prob is you're still using a spring that's too strong for the little E string once it begins to engage. I wish someone made a roller-based connect point instead of the knife-edge idea. I think wheels that would roll kind of like the ball bearing idea would create a lot less friction and allow things to return to a totally neutral position (stay in tune better). interesting stuff. thx
Great info. I agree about Mr Frudua in Italy. His video's Helped me on numerous occasions. Brilliant stuff. I also use the Carl Verheyen Claw-method. My Gotoh 510 trem is now phenomenal with tuning stability and return-to-pitch. oNe LovE from NYC
Thank you so much. I just installed a Babicz trem on my Strat plus and just botched the set up. Even that though, the guitar stays in tune really well. I'll try the 10 degree trick and go back at it!!
I can vouch for the UA-cam channel FruduaTv [ He put the wrong spelling above] vintage, or two post Strat Trem setup procedures, BUT one thing that is not mentioned in the video above, and that is not all Strat Trem Springs are created equal, some are stiffer than others. If setting up for a floating Trem [ so you can bend both up and down] the stiffness of the springs will effect how much the end of the Trem Bridge will tilt up off the body. I built and setup a Frankenstrat using the recommendations RE: Parts, by FruduaTv, that being a Wilkinson WV6 SB vintage Trem bridge, with staggered string holes in the block [The staggered string holes in the block if the important part], also a set of GOTOH SD91 vintage staggered tuners, and Graphtech nut, with the 3 combined I have a vintage looking Strat that I can dive bomb away up and down like a crazy man, like it was fitted with a Floyd Rose bridge and a locking nut, and my guitar always comes straight back into tune.It's well worth checking out the around 7 videos FruduaTv has made on the subject
I tend to do my tremolo the way Suhr does it , Springs in the V formation and the Tremolo slightly floating and of course locking tuners , it stays perfectly in tune .
I have a beck custom shop strat... I think I could throw that guitar off the empire state building and after hitting the street it would still be in tune. It's amazing how well it stays in tune.
The 5 springs was because the guitars initially came with heavy gauge strings. Similar to what a standard set of 12s would be if I remember. With a wound 3rd of course.
I thought the idea with string gauges was to have them all be about the same tension. If the big strings are tighter, wouldn't that pull the neck sideways? There's so many factors to think of here... gauge, pitch, diameter, mass, core wire gauge vs winding thickness. Spring stiffness? It's an interesting area.
You want it to stay in tune this won't solve all the problems .... You need to put locking tuners on the guitar so when you dive bomb on the vibrato bar and let go of it. the strings don't rewrap themselves in a slightly different position around the post and or each other because there are no string wraps there they are eliminated down to 3/4 of a wrap. That's what's on Jeff Becks guitar is and it works perfectly In the old days I always used the Martin Knot and it helped a lot with this in that Hardly any wrap of the string was really needed. My Claw is parallel to the trem block and it stays in perfect tune always just have to hand / finger stretch New strings up and down their length twice before tuning to pitch JMO Never had a Problem with it staying in tune 👍 Thanks For the Video nice Info
here is what i don’t understand about the springs: The individual tension of each spring adds up and determines the total force needed to move the bridge. I don’t really understand how it could make a difference if they all have the same tension or not ?
the amount of pull on each string equals a different amount of pounds per square inch to a point. If you have to stretch the spring a 1/4 of an inch to put it on there is less lbs per square inch than if you stretch it 1/2 of an inch.
I have the JB Strat from the Fender Custom shop. I’ve seen Jeff playing live his tremolo bar seems to be at a different angle than mine. Is this true? Did Jeff custom make his tremolo bars?
I use Pyramid strings 10-46. When using 3 springs and set up this way G pull up minor 3rd B maj 2nd and 1 min 2nd my bridge looks like it's going to fall out of the guitar.
I've learned to just not use my tremolo until the last note of a set.. Sick of it not coming back in tune . I've NEVER had a tremolo that would come back in tune EVER . None of them . They all have their problems.
Whats your take on the Hipshot Tremsetter? I got a deluxe plus Strat with the F Rose/Fender whammy bridge and put a H Trem on it, set the bridge to whammy up and down and just play anymore. Ooh I didnt mention I did this in 96 and havent needed to mess with it again. At this point in this guitar's life it might need fretwork and Im in So Fla.
Good morning. My name is Ellie Lee and I live up here in St. Petersburg and am a Jeff Beck wannabe. Have a question. I have always wanted to get a roller nut but I play left-handed and can’t seem to find a left-handed roller nut. Do you have a fix for that or am I just stuck with regular nuts. I have a left-handed PRS guitar. Thank you ❤️🎶❤️
I have never seen a left handed roller nut and they are left or right not ambidextrous. you might find a Chinese knock off roller nut that is ambidextrous. Also measure the nut width the fender lsr is for 1.6" width
All of the "synchronized " bridges are fulcrum with either the two point or six point fender bridge. Fulcrum is a pivot point that remains static while the bridge moves. The six screws for the fender bridge have smooth shoulders where the bridge rides. The two pint has a knife edge that rides the posts.
How do we reconcile your 15 degree claw angle suggestion with the other video trem setup by Frudua ? If you were to insert your suggestion of angling the claw into his video - what step in the process would it occur ? He starts adjusting the claw as the final fine tuning step- but if it is already angled, at the beginning ( is this what you suggest) then how can it be fined tuned? Doesn’t it mess everything up previously shown ? I’m Really confused now.
I say there is more to Jeff Beck's set up than this. I'll call anybody's bluff on this issue. That, and the fact that Jeff Beck said: "I use necks as big as baseball bats." That also helps account for his one-of-a-kind tone as well. At least part of it.
![The Perfect Stratocaster Trem / Vibrato Setup [Floating, Flat Or Blocked?]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/PjVXWyUGpwc/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Perfect Stratocaster Trem / Vibrato Setup [Floating, Flat Or Blocked?]](/img/tr.png)
I spent one hour and now my 2 strats have the angled trem claw ... tuned them back up and played for awhile ... amazing and much better control with the tremelo bar. Thanks for the info
I have followed all of Frudua’s recommendations and it has made a world of difference. The Jeff Beck method seems to me to be the ultimate floating vibrato setup…it isn’t exactly THE Carl Verhayen method and it isn’t the Buzz Feiten method obviously. Yet in practice, I think whatever Jeff did yielded the best results in a floating scenario.
I set mine up Van Halen style for decked/“dive-only” operation. I use more springs than Edward, who typically used two or three. I use all five springs. I’ve had excellent results. Perfect tuning stability for hours upon hours of left hand bending and vibrato bar use…I’ve played for over 8 hours in this way and I check my pitch on each string periodically with my Peterson StroboPLUS HDC and other Strobo HD series strobe tuners and the strobe display remains PERFECTLY caged over all that time and all that aggressive playing. I would like to have a Strat set up to float in the style of Jeff Beck, Hendrix and Blackmore and Yngwie and if I did, I would follow this methodology.
Probably the most valuable info I've ever been enlightened with on any UA-cam vid I've ever seen... No BS Just the facts. Thanks Tom!
Fantastic information, especially regarding Jeff's preferences, thank you.
BTW you can add the link to the video you mention in the description so people don't have to go hunting for it.
All good info here,I would add that the angle of up travel should corolate to the open g string going up to a minor 3rd or a# when pulling the trem all the way to the body "decked".by the way play a d chord and pull it all the way back ;)
Very informative, thank you! Never thought about the angled claw. Tomorrow I will be adjusting that on my strats
I used two springs . Spring and string tension should be equal. I used to leave the strings flat and tune it up to pitch with the springs and then fine tune it and of course I lubricated everything and I mean everything. I did all that when I was younger now I'm old and too lazy to do it. Actually that's why my name is stringLocker. Long story
Thanks. Great video. First time I've heard about the 10 degree angle. I'm going to work on my Strat when I finish here.
Ive had guitarists in 80s that had that slant. When i picked up guitar and got into playing i thought that was the correct way but watched the over produced big sub pros and never got that info. So i did it anyway as my old bandmates did it. I have never had tuning issues tough thank God ive just been super lucky. Thats the ones with the tilt and ones without. I even tried an even claw with differing spring tensions of spring by design and that worked too. So i am lucky i suppose no matter what. Lol. Great info man. Old school is key. It worked for the pros then. Will work now.
Jeff’s trem was floating about 3/16” off the deck. He also used a hybrid string set from 9-52.
Yep, the 10 degree claw angle really helps tuning stability. Feels a little softer too. I set up my EB Cutlass to float now and love it. I think it helps it resonate and ring better, even more bell like. Great video and to the point sir thank you ! Subscribed
That's the problem with standard springs. They were never made with .008s in mind. So, right off the bat, I remove 2 of them. Never seen a staggered spring setup till now but if the bridge is not able to drop at an angle based on strings (like deeper on the low E etc) then I don't see how angling the springs really makes a big difference but maybe it does. Maybe it will help equalize the tension across the bridge and work better. Prob is you're still using a spring that's too strong for the little E string once it begins to engage.
I wish someone made a roller-based connect point instead of the knife-edge idea. I think wheels that would roll kind of like the ball bearing idea would create a lot less friction and allow things to return to a totally neutral position (stay in tune better). interesting stuff. thx
Great info. I agree about Mr Frudua in Italy. His video's Helped me on numerous occasions. Brilliant stuff. I also use the Carl Verheyen Claw-method. My Gotoh 510 trem is now phenomenal with tuning stability and return-to-pitch. oNe LovE from NYC
You are a wealth of info and to the point.
Please do more !
Thank you for sharing. Have a blessed day.
Great information. I've seen photos of the back of Jimi's guitar and was surprised to see all 5 springs. 😮✌️
Great explanation! ❤ Carl V is the man.
Thank you so much. I just installed a Babicz trem on my Strat plus and just botched the set up. Even that though, the guitar stays in tune really well. I'll try the 10 degree trick and go back at it!!
I can vouch for the UA-cam channel FruduaTv [ He put the wrong spelling above] vintage, or two post Strat Trem setup procedures, BUT one thing that is not mentioned in the video above, and that is not all Strat Trem Springs are created equal, some are stiffer than others. If setting up for a floating Trem [ so you can bend both up and down] the stiffness of the springs will effect how much the end of the Trem Bridge will tilt up off the body.
I built and setup a Frankenstrat using the recommendations RE: Parts, by FruduaTv, that being a Wilkinson WV6 SB vintage Trem bridge, with staggered string holes in the block [The staggered string holes in the block if the important part], also a set of GOTOH SD91 vintage staggered tuners, and Graphtech nut, with the 3 combined I have a vintage looking Strat that I can dive bomb away up and down like a crazy man, like it was fitted with a Floyd Rose bridge and a locking nut, and my guitar always comes straight back into tune.It's well worth checking out the around 7 videos FruduaTv has made on the subject
Great tip on slanting the claw 10 degrees!!😊👍🎸
I tend to do my tremolo the way Suhr does it ,
Springs in the V formation and the Tremolo slightly floating and of course locking tuners , it stays perfectly in tune .
I have a beck custom shop strat... I think I could throw that guitar off the empire state building and after hitting the street it would still be in tune. It's amazing how well it stays in tune.
Excellent bit of teaching. Thanks!
The 5 springs was because the guitars initially came with heavy gauge strings. Similar to what a standard set of 12s would be if I remember. With a wound 3rd of course.
I thought the idea with string gauges was to have them all be about the same tension.
If the big strings are tighter, wouldn't that pull the neck sideways?
There's so many factors to think of here... gauge, pitch, diameter, mass, core wire gauge vs winding thickness.
Spring stiffness? It's an interesting area.
Thanks for sharing this valuable information !
You want it to stay in tune this won't solve all the problems .... You need to put locking tuners on the guitar so when you dive bomb on the vibrato bar and let go of it. the strings don't rewrap themselves in a slightly different position around the post and or each other because there are no string wraps there they are eliminated down to 3/4 of a wrap. That's what's on Jeff Becks guitar is and it works perfectly In the old days I always used the Martin Knot and it helped a lot with this in that Hardly any wrap of the string was really needed. My Claw is parallel to the trem block and it stays in perfect tune always just have to hand / finger stretch New strings up and down their length twice before tuning to pitch JMO Never had a Problem with it staying in tune 👍 Thanks For the Video nice Info
here is what i don’t understand about the springs: The individual tension of each spring adds up and determines the total force needed to move the bridge. I don’t really understand how it could make a difference if they all have the same tension or not ?
the amount of pull on each string equals a different amount of pounds per square inch to a point. If you have to stretch the spring a 1/4 of an inch to put it on there is less lbs per square inch than if you stretch it 1/2 of an inch.
I have the JB Strat from the Fender Custom shop. I’ve seen Jeff playing live his tremolo bar seems to be at a different angle than mine. Is this true? Did Jeff custom make his tremolo bars?
High quality content. If only all of UA-cam was like this.
That's great practical information, not based on opinion witch can be rare when it comes to guitar setup and maintenance unfortunately!
Great Info Well Explained. Cheers Mate
Thank You! Interesting video.
I’ve subscribed. Nice presentation. Cheers.
Just use a GraphTech nut. No major mod, self-lubricating, never had an issue with tuning stability.
Thanks bro for the info im buyin a roller nut ok 4 or 5 roller nuts for my players peace God Bless
I use Pyramid strings 10-46. When using 3 springs and set up this way G pull up minor 3rd B maj 2nd and 1 min 2nd my bridge looks like it's going to fall out of the guitar.
I watch your twin brother, Matt at Texas Toast Guitars.
I have the JB Strat from Fender Custom Shop his tremolo bar looks different than mine. Did he make a custom one? The angle is more pronounced
Yes his was longer and had a slightly different bend angle
@@talonguitarworks7514 That upsets me. I paid money for that guitar thinking I was buying a Strat like JB and there are discrepancies. ☹️😡
I've learned to just not use my tremolo until the last note of a set..
Sick of it not coming back in tune .
I've NEVER had a tremolo that would come back in tune EVER . None of them .
They all have their problems.
Or you could just purchase a Jeff Beck Sig Strat. Which is what I did.
The JB sig strat that you purchased, was the claw truly on a ten degree angle? Thanks in advance.
MAGNIFICENT!
Whats your take on the Hipshot Tremsetter? I got a deluxe plus Strat with the F Rose/Fender whammy bridge and put a H Trem on it, set the bridge to whammy up and down and just play anymore. Ooh I didnt mention I did this in 96 and havent needed to mess with it again. At this point in this guitar's life it might need fretwork and Im in So Fla.
Good morning. My name is Ellie Lee and I live up here in St. Petersburg and am a Jeff Beck wannabe. Have a question. I have always wanted to get a roller nut but I play left-handed and can’t seem to find a left-handed roller nut. Do you have a fix for that or am I just stuck with regular nuts. I have a left-handed PRS guitar. Thank you ❤️🎶❤️
I have never seen a left handed roller nut and they are left or right not ambidextrous. you might find a Chinese knock off roller nut that is ambidextrous. Also measure the nut width the fender lsr is for 1.6" width
I'll call Fender parts and accessories today to see if they have a lefty.
Called Fender they never made a lefty LSR or a Jeff Beck signature lefty
There is a guyer brass slotted adjustable nut on line
Thank you!!!
werent the bridges fulcrum?
All of the "synchronized " bridges are fulcrum with either the two point or six point fender bridge. Fulcrum is a pivot point that remains static while the bridge moves. The six screws for the fender bridge have smooth shoulders where the bridge rides. The two pint has a knife edge that rides the posts.
Anyone have a link to the video he mentions with the post it notes?
ua-cam.com/video/OUkKZy8U_gA/v-deo.html
How do we reconcile your 15 degree claw angle suggestion with the other video trem setup by Frudua ? If you were to insert your suggestion of angling the claw into his video - what step in the process would it occur ? He starts adjusting the claw as the final fine tuning step- but if it is already angled, at the beginning ( is this what you suggest) then how can it be fined tuned? Doesn’t it mess everything up previously shown ? I’m Really confused now.
I say there is more to Jeff Beck's set up than this. I'll call anybody's bluff on this issue. That, and the fact that Jeff Beck said: "I use necks as big as baseball bats." That also helps account for his one-of-a-kind tone as well. At least part of it.
There is NO WAY you can do a 3 semitone pull up using a 6 screw system.
Jiminee Christmas just give me a slide.
For chrisakes, it's a vibrato, not a tremolo. Words have meaning.
"...with synchronized tremolo"?
ua-cam.com/video/UgfMyJ76p4o/v-deo.html
For this reason, he never plays in tune. I never like his playing anymore. I need to be drugged to appreciate his playing. I don't do drugs anymore.