The most well-known bridge is the vintage-style 'synchronized' tremolo. Stratocaster guitars can have four distinctive types of bridges. They should be 'finger-tight.' This is very important, especially on locking tuners. This controls the tension of the gears inside the tuning keys. If your tuning keys have a screw on the end of the button, check the tightness of the screw. Insert into the center hole in the tuning key, bend and crimp to a 90-degree angle, and wind neatly in a downward pattern, being careful to prevent overlapping of the strings. Finally, pull the first string 1 1/2' (38 mm) past the top of the headcap and cut it. Pull the second string about a 1/2' (13 mm) past the headcap and cut it. Pull the third string nearly to the top of the headcap and cut it. Pull the fourth string between the second and first keys and cut it. Pull the fifth string to the third key and cut it. Pull the sixth string (tautly, remember) to the fourth key and cut it. For these, you'll want to pre-cut the strings to achieve the proper length and desired amount of winds. As you progress to the sixth string, you'll reduce the amount of slack and the number of winds around the keys. You'll need to leave a bit of slack for the first string so you have at least two or three winds around the post. This is done by pulling the string through the keyhole and then pulling it clockwise underneath and back over itself creating a knot. To reduce string slippage at the tuning key, we recommend using a tie technique. Pull the strings through tautly and tighten the thumb wheel, locking the string in. Line the six tuning machines so that the first string keyhole is set at 1:00, the second at 2:00, the third and fourth at 3:00, the fifth at 4:00, and the sixth at 5:00. Picture the headcap of the neck as the face of a clock, with the top being 12:00 and the nut being 6:00. Start by loading all the strings through the bridge and then loading them onto the keys as follows: How you wind the strings onto the pegs is very important, whether you're using locking, standard or vintage tuning keys.

After you've installed and tuned a new set, hold the strings at the first fret and hook your fingers under each string, one at a time, and tug lightly, moving your hand from the bridge to the neck. Make sure to stretch your strings properly. The bullet end has been shaped and sized to match the design of the bridge block channel. This is accomplished by eliminating the extra string wrap and the ball-end (the ball end doesn't fit properly into the string channel). The design allows the string to travel freely in the bridge block channel during tremolo use and return afterwards to its original position, seated snugly in the bridge block. The patented bullet-end is specifically designed for all styles of tremolo use, from extreme dives to smooth vibrato passages. No matter what gauge of strings you use, for the best tuning stability we recommend using Fender Bullet® strings.

If you find any of these, you should change your strings. To check if your strings need changing, run a finger underneath the string and feel for dirt, rust or flat spots. Strings that have lost their integrity (worn where pressed against the fret) or have become oxidized, rusty and dirty will not return to pitch properly. Light machine oil (3-in-1, toy locomotive or gun oil)įor strings to stay in tune, they should be changed regularly.Note: These are minimum specifications that are meant as a guide they should not be construed as hard and fast rules, as we realize that every player's subjective requirements often differ. Modifications of the specs may also be made (within limited parameters) to adjust for your individual playing style or application (i.e., how hard you pick, strum or fret the guitar).

If you plan to change string gauges, you may need to adjust the specs somewhat to compensate for the changes in string sizes. The following setup procedures and specifications are for your Stratocaster as equipped with the strings that come on the instrument as standard equipment from the factory.

Truss rod diagram