Tremolo Springs - straight or angled?

Clarky

ICBM said:

The reason it came about is because it’s difficult to hook the springs onto the outer claw positions with your fingers, since they get trapped against the wall of the cavity.

ahhhh that makes sense..
and also makes sense why I never understood it, cos I never had that prob... 
I hook the springs into the trem block first
then pop a small flat screw driver through the spring's loops
place the screw driver's blade behind the trem claw's hooks
then slide the spring's loop down the screw driver and onto the claw's hook...

ICBM

Clarky said:

ahhhh that makes sense..

and also makes sense why I never understood it, cos I never had that prob... 
I hook the springs into the trem block first
then pop a small flat screw driver through the spring's loops
place the screw driver's blade behind the trem claw's hooks
then slide the spring's loop down the screw driver and onto the claw's hook...

That’s the proper Fender way of doing it .

You used to get a packet of two extra springs with a new Strat, which had an illustration of that method printed on it.

noisepolluter

richardhomer said:

noisepolluter said:

I just found it easier to get the tension and ‘float’ where I wanted it when the springs were angled. I have no doubt I could get the same result with the springs straight with time, effort and a better knowledge of setups. 

The point at which the bridge ‘floats’ is determined solely by the balance between string and spring tension - which is adjusted by either tightening or slackening the spring claw screws. 

I suspect I need more springs - I like quite a lot of resistance but also a bit of upward travel - with 3 straight springs I found I could only get one or the other.

Voxman

ICBM said:

Clarky said:

ahhhh that makes sense..

and also makes sense why I never understood it, cos I never had that prob... 
I hook the springs into the trem block first
then pop a small flat screw driver through the spring's loops
place the screw driver's blade behind the trem claw's hooks
then slide the spring's loop down the screw driver and onto the claw's hook...

That’s the proper Fender way of doing it .

You used to get a packet of two extra springs with a new Strat, which had an illustration of that method printed on it.

I do it the Fender way too & never knew it!  Just seemed logical. 

RandallFlagg

Lebarque said:

Raw vintage springs. All five in straight.

Stock springs, all 5, in straight and screw the clawn in until even The Hulk wouldn't get the bridge plate to move while bending strings. This is the bes way to set a Strat trem!

jakzek

I currently have 3 in the ‘crow’s foot’ configuration but I’m going to switch to all 5 in straight. 

Any tips for removing the outer springs without taking my eyes out? 

axisus

I like 2 springs, straight. Angled makes my OCD eye twitch

ICBM

jakzek said:

I currently have 3 in the ‘crow’s foot’ configuration but I’m going to switch to all 5 in straight. 

Any tips for removing the outer springs without taking my eyes out? 

If you’re going to add springs you will need to adjust the claw anyway, so simply back the screws off until the springs are loose, then screw them back in again afterwards.

Remember to slacken the strings fully first .

p90fool

In simple mechanical terms, angled springs introduce a point of friction which isn't there with straight springs. 

It may be very slight, but it's avoidable and unnecessary. 

Clarky

tone1 said:

I love mine angled.... I know straight is better for Technical reasons but mine looks cool...

https://i.imgur.com/QerRE1q.jpg

just noticed from that pic

the bog roll is missing..

olafgarten

I've seen a used Strat in GuitarGuitar that had the springs in an N Shape.