Tremolo options for a Strat

**Chris Rock** · 03.25.07, 03:23 PM

Hey boys and girls. I have an '89 American Strat that I want to do some tremolo ehancements on. I am not a dive-bomb freak and don't believe I need a Floyd.

What are some options that will keep the damn thing in tune with some simple vibrato plays, and the occasional Defcon 4 dive on the bar?

Thanks!

Chris

**homeunit** · 03.25.07, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by Chris Rock

Hey boys and girls. I have an '89 American Strat that I want to do some tremolo ehancements on. I am not a dive-bomb freak and don't believe I need a Floyd.

What are some options that will keep the damn thing in tune with some simple vibrato plays, and the occasional Defcon 4 dive on the bar?

Thanks!

Chris

For defcon dive, forget about it without a locking trem. For normal use make sure your nut and saddles are clean and in good shape. Properly stretch you strings, and don't go crazy with lots of winds around the string posts when you re-string.

**guitar08man** · 03.25.07, 04:19 PM

if you dont want to route it for a floyd, then id suggest looking into some good locking tuners, or upgrading your nut, perhaps to a rolling nut.

**mk5** · 03.25.07, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by Chris Rock

Hey boys and girls. I have an '89 American Strat that I want to do some tremolo ehancements on. I am not a dive-bomb freak and don't believe I need a Floyd.

What are some options that will keep the damn thing in tune with some simple vibrato plays, and the occasional Defcon 4 dive on the bar?

Thanks!

Chris

Graphtech/Graphite nut, locking tuners, a tremel-no, and a wilkinson VS trem.

Voila.

**m4rk0** · 03.27.07, 09:43 AM

I Agree with MK5. the Wilkinson is the best alternative for the FR..
in combination with Locking tuners and a graphite or LSR roller nut!
no more cutting string ends and much faster string changes!

**Otis5150** · 03.27.07, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by mk5

Graphtech/Graphite nut, locking tuners, a tremel-no, and a wilkinson VS trem.

Voila.

Excellent advice.

**SactoFan** · 03.27.07, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by guitar08man

if you dont want to route it for a floyd, then id suggest looking into some good locking tuners, or upgrading your nut, perhaps to a rolling nut.

I'm a Wilkinson trem guy, but I'd strongly suggest you avoid the roller nut. For one, it's another moving part your guitar doesn't need. Graphite is great. Furthermore, your string gauge options are very limited with a roller nut. I string my guitars with 11's which can't happen with a roller nut. And, if one of the balls comes out, you are in for a pain in the neck...

Graphite or bone, locking tuners, and a Wilkinson will be the best of all worlds...