Trem Springs

[Dr. Jimmy]

For those who use the trem, how many springs do you prefer? I use .011's and have 3 springs in the first, third and fifth positions. How about you?

[Don]

.010's with 3 springs and the bridge flat to the body so it doesn't move for about a step and a half bend, but I can still use the trem if I want to.

[photoweborama]

I float at 1/8" and use 9's.. with FIVE springs...

[Sven]

I use 5 springs, whether I float the bridge or not. It seems to give a more stable tuning, and i don't break strings anyway, so that's not a problem.

[GuitarG]

I use .011's and 4 springs adjusted with just the slightest bit of float. I like to have the ability to pull sharp just a bit for Bigsby type vibrato on chords.

[grito]

Same as DON. Used to float, then noticed I didn't ever pull up on the bar. Keep the bridge flat, then turn another 1/4 on the claw. If I break a string, the other aren't going anywhere.

[CAFeathers]

5 Springs, claw tightened, bridge on the deck, Flatwound 12-52's. I don't even have the trem bar in the guitar.

Chet

[Stratplayer59]

I have the trem set about a 1/8 inch off the body and have 5 springs installed and strung up with .011's:yes

[Dr. Jimmy]

I float it too, about 1/8th of an inch or so. I like being able to pull it up as well (for a nice Bigsby type shimmer or a full out Blackmore-esque assault). I used to use a tremsetter in one of my Strats but just couldn't get used to the feel of it so I removed it.
One Strat has the five springs with the claw all the way in and no bar at all, I use it when I'm in a "no bar" mood.
I use .011's on all my Strats, but I change the G from a .018 to a .017 as I find they intonate a little bit easier. At one point a few years back I did the .012's but it's just easier to find sets of .011's.

[J.LaGrassa]

I use 4 springs with a space in the middle and use .009-.042 string guage. The 4 springs seem to keep keep in tune better and I also setup the bridge to Fender Specs.

[phil47uk]

3, or 4.....Claw screwed in fully.....Trem plate flat against body.... Can't stand trems.....In 40 years of playing full time I never could get the hang of using the buggers properly and I can't stand the tuning instability, especially playing pedal steel bends.
I find that by using less springs and by stretching the hell out of the ones in there, they act as a sort of spring reverb.
Perhaps it's my imagination that thinks it makes a difference, but I can hear the pingy ring acousticaly.
Phil.