How do I adjust the tremolo?

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FenderGuy53
Posts: 45
Joined: Sat Jul 21, 2012 9:15 am
Location: North Carolina

How do I adjust the tremolo?

Post by FenderGuy53 »

First of all, I have a 2009 Tribute Comanche.

I know that I need to have a 1/8" gap between the bottom of the bridge and the guitar body, but what steps are required to get me to that point?

Do I have to adjust the two fasteners in the front of the bridge plate? If so, how and when?

At what point in the setup process is the tremolo adjustment?

I'm just trying to do the right thing, guys, so your help is appreciated.

Thanks.
Fender American Special Telecaster/Fender SE Custom Telecaster Spalted Maple HH > Joyos/Ditto > Crate V1512T/Fender BJr
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Craig
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Re: How do I adjust the tremolo?

Post by Craig »

FenderGuy53 wrote:First of all, I have a 2009 Tribute Comanche.

I know that I need to have a 1/8" gap between the bottom of the bridge and the guitar body, but what steps are required to get me to that point?

Do I have to adjust the two fasteners in the front of the bridge plate? If so, how and when?

At what point in the setup process is the tremolo adjustment?

I'm just trying to do the right thing, guys, so your help is appreciated.

Thanks.
If it has not been modified from the factory setup, you should not need to
adjust the DFV studs. If they had been raised or lower from factory setting,
then you will need a 3mm allen wrench to adjust them.

Follow the steps in this post first: Current Factory setups for DF vibrato G&L guitars.
If you are not able to get the bridge plate level at the proper height, then:

1. Put a 1/8" spacer (of material which will not damage the body) underneath
the back of the bridge plate.
2. Slacken (de-tension) all the strings.
3. Adjust the DFV studs so that the bridge plate is parallel with the body at the
1/8" height on both sides.
4. Re-tension the strings.
5. Remove the bridge spacer and recheck the bridge height (front to back).

Hope this helps.

:ugeek:
--Craig [co-webmaster of guitarsbyleo.com, since Oct. 16, 2000]
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FenderGuy53
Posts: 45
Joined: Sat Jul 21, 2012 9:15 am
Location: North Carolina

Re: How do I adjust the tremolo?

Post by FenderGuy53 »

Craig wrote:
FenderGuy53 wrote:First of all, I have a 2009 Tribute Comanche.

I know that I need to have a 1/8" gap between the bottom of the bridge and the guitar body, but what steps are required to get me to that point?

Do I have to adjust the two fasteners in the front of the bridge plate? If so, how and when?

At what point in the setup process is the tremolo adjustment?

I'm just trying to do the right thing, guys, so your help is appreciated.

Thanks.
If it has not been modified from the factory setup, you should not need to
adjust the DFV studs. If they had been raised or lower from factory setting,
then you will need a 3mm allen wrench to adjust them.

Follow the steps in this post first: Current Factory setups for DF vibrato G&L guitars.
If you are not able to get the bridge plate level at the proper height, then:

1. Put a 1/8" spacer (of material which will not damage the body) underneath
the back of the bridge plate.
2. Slacken (de-tension) all the strings.
3. Adjust the DFV studs so that the bridge plate is parallel with the body at the
1/8" height on both sides.
4. Re-tension the strings.
5. Remove the bridge spacer and recheck the bridge height (front to back).

Hope this helps.

:ugeek:

Absolutely does, Craig. You are da man!

Thanks.
Fender American Special Telecaster/Fender SE Custom Telecaster Spalted Maple HH > Joyos/Ditto > Crate V1512T/Fender BJr
FenderGuy53
Posts: 45
Joined: Sat Jul 21, 2012 9:15 am
Location: North Carolina

Re: How do I adjust the tremolo?

Post by FenderGuy53 »

Craig wrote: If it has not been modified from the factory setup, you should not need to
adjust the DFV studs. If they had been raised or lower from factory setting,
then you will need a 3mm allen wrench to adjust them.

Follow the steps in this post first: Current Factory setups for DF vibrato G&L guitars.
If you are not able to get the bridge plate level at the proper height, then:

1. Put a 1/8" spacer (of material which will not damage the body) underneath
the back of the bridge plate.
2. Slacken (de-tension) all the strings.
3. Adjust the DFV studs so that the bridge plate is parallel with the body at the
1/8" height on both sides.
4. Re-tension the strings.
5. Remove the bridge spacer and recheck the bridge height (front to back).
Craig, if the bridge height is still off at Step 5., do I adjust the claw screws in the trem cavity, or do I start over from Step 1.?
Fender American Special Telecaster/Fender SE Custom Telecaster Spalted Maple HH > Joyos/Ditto > Crate V1512T/Fender BJr
louis cyfer
Posts: 3011
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2011 2:58 pm

Re: How do I adjust the tremolo?

Post by louis cyfer »

FenderGuy53 wrote:
Craig wrote: If it has not been modified from the factory setup, you should not need to
adjust the DFV studs. If they had been raised or lower from factory setting,
then you will need a 3mm allen wrench to adjust them.

Follow the steps in this post first: Current Factory setups for DF vibrato G&L guitars.
If you are not able to get the bridge plate level at the proper height, then:

1. Put a 1/8" spacer (of material which will not damage the body) underneath
the back of the bridge plate.
2. Slacken (de-tension) all the strings.
3. Adjust the DFV studs so that the bridge plate is parallel with the body at the
1/8" height on both sides.
4. Re-tension the strings.
5. Remove the bridge spacer and recheck the bridge height (front to back).
Craig, if the bridge height is still off at Step 5., do I adjust the claw screws in the trem cavity, or do I start over from Step 1.?
just tension the springs in the back until the spacer just easily slips out with the strings in tune. it will not be off.
FenderGuy53
Posts: 45
Joined: Sat Jul 21, 2012 9:15 am
Location: North Carolina

Re: How do I adjust the tremolo?

Post by FenderGuy53 »

louis cyfer wrote:
FenderGuy53 wrote:
Craig wrote: If it has not been modified from the factory setup, you should not need to
adjust the DFV studs. If they had been raised or lower from factory setting,
then you will need a 3mm allen wrench to adjust them.

Follow the steps in this post first: Current Factory setups for DF vibrato G&L guitars.
If you are not able to get the bridge plate level at the proper height, then:

1. Put a 1/8" spacer (of material which will not damage the body) underneath
the back of the bridge plate.
2. Slacken (de-tension) all the strings.
3. Adjust the DFV studs so that the bridge plate is parallel with the body at the
1/8" height on both sides.
4. Re-tension the strings.
5. Remove the bridge spacer and recheck the bridge height (front to back).
Craig, if the bridge height is still off at Step 5., do I adjust the claw screws in the trem cavity, or do I start over from Step 1.?
just tension the springs in the back until the spacer just easily slips out with the strings in tune. it will not be off.
Thanks, louis cyfer.
Fender American Special Telecaster/Fender SE Custom Telecaster Spalted Maple HH > Joyos/Ditto > Crate V1512T/Fender BJr