Have ordered a Wilkinson WVS50IIK Tremolo Bridge from Vanson for my 2009 Mexico Stratocaster. From the measurement supplied it should hopefully be a straight swap with very little adjustment.
A couple of questions:
1. How do I go about setting the intonation? Do you start with the high or low e?
2. Being that I'm going to strip the poly finish off at some point should I just get on and do that while the strings / tremolo are off? If so, how easy is it to take out the gubbins under the scratch plate? Does it all come out in one it is there snipping and re-soldering to be done?
Comments
I presume the string height I can measure off before I take the strings off and replicate with the new bridge.
If the WVS50iiK adopts vintage/Imperial dimensions, its saddles will be slightly wider than the Fender/Sung-il. Hence, the pivot screws may be spaced correspondingly further apart. (This is why Wilkinson offers a version of the WVSii with extended pivot screw holes.)
Measure from a datum point to the string break node point on each saddle. Normally, the nut is the datum point. If you only have a twelve inch rule, one of the upper frets will have to serve. You could even try taking a pencil and paper rubbing of the existing saddle positions.
Attempt a rough approximation of the positions of the MIM saddles on the Wilkinson vibrato. I prefer to set them too far away from the nut rather than too close. This way, once adjusted, any kinks made in the strings will lie between the saddle and the anchoring point. This will aid tuning stability of the first set of strings that go over the new bridge.
I've got a BMI Tape Measure which I find invaluable for detail measurement, will dimension the existing bridge from the nut.
I'm sure I'll have more questions once the tremolo arrives on Thursday. Job for next weekend.
I've taken string height measurement and measurement from the nut to the node as @Funkfingers suggested, are there any other dimensions worth noting before dismantling?