Question on string height , bridge & springs on Majesty

[ermac]

Hello,

I have question about the string height on my Majesty 7-string.

When I bought it it was equipped with .010 strings (I guess) and I had the action pretty low (while having the bridge in a way that it was level to the guitar body), then I changed to .009 strings and now when I want to set up the action to a nice low level the bridge sinks in to deep in the guitar body.

So I guess I have to adjust something on the springs.
(Do I have to take one spring out or adjust them so the two outer ones point inward?)
I made a picture to show what it looks like now.


(English is not my first language so I hope I explained everything correctly.)

 

[johnnyboogie]

It has to do with the change in string gauge 100% Ermac.

The lighter strings you installed are not pulling the springs as hard as the .10 gauge strings did. That means that the springs are now 'stronger' than the bridge/strings system, and that is why your bridge has been pulled in. You will have to screw-out the backplate, evenly of course on all springs, in order to bring the bridge at your preferred height. Fully floating as they say.

However, I would suggest that you have an expert on setting up guitars to do it for you. Same thing, or the reverse, is going to happen next time you change string gauge.

Hope that helped a bit =)

PS. Mortal Kombat Rules since 1990!!

 

[jones4tone]

Hi Ermac,

This is usually referred to as the trem "claw" - the piece attached with two screws into the back of the cavity, to which the springs are hooked opposite the trem block.

I made the same gauge change on my JP15, and I removed the middle spring, then repeatedly tuned, adjusted the claw screws, tuned, adjusted ... until the bridge sat where I wanted it to. Just takes time and patience. You'll want to be methodical about adjusting the two claw screws equally as you go.

 

[DrKev]

Yup!

It's an iterative process, very easy and safe, but can take a little time.

1) Get in tune.

2) Check the Bridge and adjust the screws: if the bridge is pulled into the body, loosen the claw screws. If the bridge is pulled forward out of the body, tighten the screws. The strings will now be out of tune so you;ll need to retune. As you do so the bridge will move again.

3) Retune and repeat until bridge is parallel to the top of the guitar when the guitar is in tune.

 

[ermac]

Thanks for all your answers!

From the last two comments it seems that to achieve what I want I can take out the middle spring + adjust the screws OR just adjust the screws?
I would definately prefer the latter one (only adjusting screws) as this method seems to be less time consuming but I have to say that I am always a bit anxious when loosening the claw screws on a floating bridge ... is there really nothing that can go wrong when I only loosen them as far where I can get the brdige level?

 

[johnnyboogie]

No need to remove a spring, you can work with 3 springs. Removing one spring will make your vibrato bar easier to use. Less strength required in order to dive down or scream up.