5 things you didn't know about your Fender Strat

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Tools used in this video
Radius Gauge with slots
Fret Rocker
Precision Notched Straightedge
The Music Nomad gauge I use
Digital Caliper
Digital Multimeter
Nyon test Socks
Clip On Tuner in this video
My Favorite set up tools

You can get the Fender Tremolo Tension spring here

Here are some other products from a dealer I trust and buy from online

Magic Static Remover

The New Fender Professional Strat has a push in tremolo arm now

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String Swing sideways guitar hangers behind me
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[holstorrsceadus]

After watching this I realized I was one of the none of my trem arms have that spring because none of my guitars are new. I just went to my crap drawer and fished out an old empty lighter and took out the spring from under the flint. I cut it down to size and it works perfectly. Made a few with one spring. Thanks Phil.

[edryba]

There’s an old Strat player’s trick (for when that little spring doesn’t exist), you can wrap the threads on the tremolo bar with something that plumbers use… Teflon Tape! You can get it at any hardware store that sells plumbing supplies. Wrap some Teflon Tape twice around the threads (three times at the most) and that will keep that whammy bar from just swinging freely. The tape (which is not sticky in any way) adds just a little bit of friction to the threads. This prevents the bar from dropping to a “straight down” position when you let go, and keeps your tremolo bar in whatever position you left it. It won’t damage the threads (it’s just a very thin plastic), so the threads will stay like new as long as you have that Strat! The piece of Teflon Tape in my Strat has been there for at least 15 years! File this trick under “easy fixes”.

[HumanTimeMachine]

What bothers me is when you spend $1600 on an electric guitar and then start diy on it for things that should be resolved at that price point.

[shadowcircus]

Wow, been playing a Strat for over 30 years, and you've addressed pretty much every annoyance I've had! Thanks!

[danewilbanks]

Well first off I didn't know I had a fender strat

[DANEXIOyt]

This video slowly went from being "Things you didn't know about Stratocaster" to "How to fix problems with your Stratocaster"

[Kat-Kobold]

Me with my Epiphone SG "interesting"

[snottyboy]

Me with a squier telecaster: "hmm yes, ah, I see oh hmm yes yes"

[tonysansom]

Interesting to learn about the tremolo spring. In the mid-80's I bought a brand new Japan Strat and as you said, it had no spring. In fact, I didn't know they existed until watching this video.

[Boywellesley]

You can use a rubber o-ring under the knobs instead of the foam to keep from accidentally moving them, also works for your pedals.

[rickroche]

Good job - I actually learned something! Been playing for over 65 years, Strats and Teles, and your information was eye opening! I went the foam pad route with the springs, and just learned to avoid the vol control on strats, but the foam ring is cool . . .

[BradleyFelton]

I feel like this is more of a “how to fix annoying issues” video than it is a “things you didn’t know” video. Regardless, great video that provided some really cool and super useful info!

[adaptiveagile]

This tutorial was excellent. I ordered Fender trem springs right away. Made such a difference.

But a word of caution using foam products inside the trem tension springs: certain types of foam products disintegrate--or "rot"--over time, leaving you with a sticky, gooe mess that is very hard to clean up. This has happened with so many of my stored products, and even includes certain rubberized plastics like those used as camera grips. The consistency is visibly identical to tar, and I think it's safe to assume these chemicals are petroleum based..

[griff]

I've been playing guitar for over 23 years in different bands, places, environments. Never have I had the honour of being in the company of someone with your knowledge. Mr McKnight, you are awesome. :)

[uncoolrunnings]

These are all reasons I love the Telecaster. Few moving parts, strings through the body. They got it right the first time.

[richard]

Love the foam under the volume knob trick. I have an Ingwie loaded pick guard with a low friction pot that moves if you breath on it. If Fender would get pots that turn the other way, the strat players through the years might not have turned their knob down by accident.

[liamtahaney]

I guess that spring explains why Americans are 3 times as much...one hell of an expensive spring

[kilgoretrout]

"Don't want it swinging, but still want it All respect, but i was eating, and nearly did a spit take laughing.

[johnvcougar]

Yep, knew it all, and NEVER dampen the springs! That's part of the beatific character of the Strat! I love the light reverb the springs give ... some guys even go to trouble to amplify the springs (LOL). Each to their own.

[frankyjr]

The tip with the spring is unbelievable, that's exactly what I was looking for on my Yamaha Pacifica 112V BL RL.
I just had to close the hole in the bottom of the tremolo block.
Thanks, Phillip