How Do I Lower the Bridge on My Stratocaster?

Strat bridges can be set up for a faster action.

Both bridge styles found on the Stratocaster, the ever popular floating tremolo bridge and the non-tremolo fixed bridge, differ from the tune-o-matic style in that they do not sit on adjustable bolts that secure the bridge to the body. With the tune-omatic, you can lower the bridge with a few turns of a flat-head screwdriver, and then set up the intonation and file down frets as needed to avoid buzz. In the Strat world, there are several steps the player can take to ensure the lowest possible action with the given equipment.

Things You'll Need

• Small Philips-head screwdriver
• Medium Philips-head screwdriver
• Tremolo springs

Instructions

1. Loosen the six screws that secure the bridge plate to the body of the guitar, and then re-tighten them so that the bridge is just touching the body of the guitar. If they are too loose, the action will remain high, and if they are too tight, the tremolo will require to much muscle to function properly.

2. Unscrew the rectangular plate on the back of the guitar. Most likely, you will see three springs which connect the bottom part of the floating bridge to an inertia plate which is itself secured to the guitar body by two screws. Loosen these two screws so that the springs lose some of their tension. Remove all three springs, and replace only two springs, attaching them close together at the the inertia plate and far apart at the floating bridge so that they form a "v" shape. Re-tighten the screws from the inertia plate to the body.

3. Install the lightest possible strings on your guitar. This means a set that starts at .008 for the high E string. Tune your guitar and fix your attention once again to screws securing the inertia plate to the guitar body. Adjust these screws so that the rear of the bridge remain flush against the body of the guitar when the tremolo is not activated. This provides the lowest possible action with freedom of movement for the tremolo.

Tips & Warnings

• Altering the string size and spring tension may result in tuning problems and loss of intonation. If in doubt, consult with a professional technician.

References

• "Guitar Player Repair Guide;" Dan Erlewine; 2007