How do I adjust the locking tremolo on my Stratocaster guitar?
INTONATION AND ADJUSTMENT FOR STRATOCASTER® GUITARS
There are two types of locking tremolos found on Fender® guitars. The Floyd Rose® tremolo
uses a fine-tuning system at the bridge in combination with a locking nut. The American Deluxe
locking tremolo is used in combination with an LSR roller nut and locking tuning keys. Though
both are locking tremolos, they are strung, intonated and adjusted slightly differently.
Determine if your bridge is free-floating or flush-mounted to the body. If it's free-floating, we
recommend that you place a block or stop-piece under the bridge to prevent it from collapsing
when removing strings. The block must have soft foam or cloth on the underside to prevent
damage to the finish. A tremolo block device can easily be purchased at your local music store
or made at home.
INTONATION (ROUGHING IT OUT)
With a locking tremolo system, it's desirable to preset your guitar's basic intonation before
installing the strings. With a tape measure, measure from the inside of the nut to the center of
the 12th fret (the fret wire itself; not the fingerboard). Double that measurement to find the
scale length of your guitar.
On a Floyd Rose® locking tremolo, loosen the hex nut on top of the saddle. On an American
Deluxe locking tremolo, the hex lock-down screw is found beneath the bridge plate. Adjust the
first-string bridge saddle to the scale length, measuring from the inside of the nut to the center
of the bridge saddle. Re-tighten the lock-down screw. Now adjust the distance of the second-
string saddle back from the first-string saddle, using the gauge of the second string as a
measurement. For example, if the second-string gauge is .011", you'd move the second-string
saddle back .011" from the first-string saddle. Move the third-string saddle back from the
second-string saddle, using the gauge of the third string as a measurement. The fourth-string
saddle should be set parallel with the second-string saddle. Proceed with the fifth and sixth
strings in the same manner used for the second and third strings.
Note: Remember to re-tighten each lock-down screw as you make your adjustments.
STRING INSTALLATION
To properly install strings on both types of bridges, the hex screw located on the end of each
individual saddle must be loosened. Cut the ball-end of the string off directly above the tie-off
windings, insert the string as close to the center as possible and tighten the hex screw, locking
the string in place. Caution: Do not over-tighten the hex screw.
