Question 'No-float' Luke III

[markus506]

Hi gang (me again),

So, I am thinking of 'no-floating' my Luke III. I assume the way I would go about this would be to add another spring to the tremolo, then, if necessary, tighten the claw until it is flush against the body? Anything else I should look for when (if) I do this?

-Mark

 

[DrKev]

Depends how many springs are in there now. You may be able to just tighten the claw as is. I recommend not using more back pull from the spring than you need. Remember the trem will be pulled backwards by the springs and can leave dents in the finish under the bridge. Adjust the claw so that the bridge just barely moves when you bend a string and then tighten the springs a little more.

 

[Spudmurphy]

.... and don't forget, your string geometry will now be out! The strings will be closer to the fretboard.

so, you will now need to raise the saddles to stop the fret buzz NOT the trussrod.

 

[markus506]

Depends how many springs are in there now. You may be able to just tighten the claw as is. I recommend not using more back pull from the spring than you need. Remember the trem will be pulled backwards by the springs and can leave dents in the finish under the bridge. Adjust the claw so that the bridge just barely moves when you bend a string and then tighten the springs a little more.

Sound advice. I have 2 springs on there now. Would you advice that I try to tighten the claw springs first, or just go ahead and put the 3rd spring on? I don't really care about fluttering, so I don't mind the tremolo being a bit tight.

 

[markus506]

Yes, you're right! For the vintage tremolo, turn the screw to the clockwise to raise the saddle, correct?

 

[DrKev]

Sound advice. I have 2 springs on there now. Would you advice that I try to tighten the claw springs first, or just go ahead and put the 3rd spring on? I don't really care about fluttering, so I don't mind the tremolo being a bit tight.

You can try. The worst that can happen is that you can't tighten the claw enough and you have to undo it and put in another spring. If you have another spring, you could just put it in now. No big deal either way.

Make sure you use the correct size screwdriver (not too small, not too big). You don't want to damage the screw heads, which can make further adjustments difficult and you risk the screw driver head slipping out of the screw and scratching the guitar.