I think my guitar is broken... or about to break...

Schmakt · March 2004

I don't really know a lot about guitars, but I'm afraid mine is about to break... Has anybody had this happen before?

It's one of those Stratocaster by Squire's... world's most popular electric guitar or something. The strings feed through the back, and up the next. At the bottom of the guitar, where the strings come through and the tremlo(?) bar attach is a metal piece. When you push the bar, that piece bends up to change the sound...

Now it used to be lying flat against the body of the guitar, but I just noticed yesterday that it was bent up and doesn't lay flat unless I force it. Has anyone had this happen and/or know what, if anything, I should or can do about it? Thanks...

blackredyellow · March 2004

If I'm understanding you right, the tension on the bridge needs adjusted. Under the plate on the back of the guitar, there are springs that provided tension to the bridge. Either you can add more springs (if there are less than 5 there) or replace them. Squiers have cheap hardware, and I guess that could apply to the springs they use as well.

FinsburyParkCarrots · March 2004

Originally posted by blackredyellow
If I'm understanding you right, the tension on the bridge needs adjusted. Under the plate on the back of the guitar, there are springs that provided tension to the bridge. Either you can add more springs (if there are less than 5 there) or replace them. Squiers have cheap hardware, and I guess that could apply to the springs they use as well.

Good advice.

Guitar shop technicians don't usually rip people off; so, Schmakt, if you're a bit nervous about doing the job yourself, entrust the job with a store techie.

Schmakt · March 2004

awesome! thanks, guys. Really appreciate it

mccreadyisgod · March 2004

It's also possible that something has just caught underneath the bridge-plate and held the tremolo out... when you move the tremolo arm, does it have the same resistance/pull-back that it used to have? Are all the strings on there correctly, or has one maybe come loose? I would guess it's probably a lack of proper tension, which would be easily fixed (as mentioned above) by adding or replacing springs... old springs might be worn out, whatever... but it could be something else, too. Make sure everything looks right. You can take the plastic cover off the spring cavity and check, you won't hurt anything just taking that off. And like these guys said, if you don't feel comfortable fooling with it, take it to a tech, explain the problem, and what our thoughts are. They'll be able to figure it out. Good luck...

Schmakt · March 2004

I took the plate off the back, and I only have two springs. They run diagonally from the inside to the out, so I think you guys were right about the springs being the problem.

Everything else looks fine as far as I know. There's a wire of some sort soldered (sp??) to one of the hooks where the springs go, but it doesn't seem to be in the way.

I'll probably take it to Sam Ash to see if they can help. Thanks again!

who's_pearljam? · March 2004

Have you changed anything lately? If you put heavier strings on, they will pull the tremelo out, causing the bridge to pull out like that.
If you're not in tune, and you keep tuning up so the strings are tighter, they will pull on the trem, too. make sure you are in EADGBE. If you change the tuning you usually have to adjust the springs anyway.
If it's only 2 springs, they may have stretched. You could probably do with one more tremelo spring anyway. Your guitar isn't going to break, though. No problem playing it, but it might be cool to take it in for a setup anyway. A good tech can make a guitar play nicer than you expected.
You can try to screw in the tremelo claw to the wood a bit if you want. The screws that hold the springs to the wood body. Just a little bit at a time, and that will pull the bridge back. You might actually be fine after doing that. Just a little at a time, and the same amount of screw turns on each one.

The wire is the ground wire for the electronics. don't remove that!

Schmakt · March 2004

Originally posted by who's_pearljam?
Have you changed anything lately? If you put heavier strings on, they will pull the tremelo out, causing the bridge to pull out like that.
If you're not in tune, and you keep tuning up so the strings are tighter, they will pull on the trem, too. make sure you are in EADGBE. If you change the tuning you usually have to adjust the springs anyway.
If it's only 2 springs, they may have stretched. You could probably do with one more tremelo spring anyway. Your guitar isn't going to break, though. No problem playing it, but it might be cool to take it in for a setup anyway. A good tech can make a guitar play nicer than you expected.
You can try to screw in the tremelo claw to the wood a bit if you want. The screws that hold the springs to the wood body. Just a little bit at a time, and that will pull the bridge back. You might actually be fine after doing that. Just a little at a time, and the same amount of screw turns on each one.

The wire is the ground wire for the electronics. don't remove that!

that's it!
I was playing 9's for the longest time, and just switched to 11's. Makes sense. I'll see if I can tighten those screws, but I think I'll take it in on Monday anyway. Thanks again... learning a lot today.

who's_pearljam? · March 2004

Originally posted by Schmakt
that's it!
I was playing 9's for the longest time, and just switched to 11's. Makes sense. I'll see if I can tighten those screws, but I think I'll take it in on Monday anyway. Thanks again... learning a lot today.

Cool, Now I can go to bed! I'm glad it worked.
With 11's you might want another spring or 2 anyway. More springs make a stiffer tremelo, especially if you bend strings when you play, as when you bend one or two strings, the rest of the ringing strings go a bit flat due the the extra pull from your soon to be sore fingers!, depends on the feel that you want. Going from 9's to 11's , you'll want a setup anyway. 11's are a great string to work with once you get used to them.
Good luck

I think my guitar is broken... or about to break...

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