Question What should I be aware of before screwing on trem claw screws?

[q-base]

Hey!

This is my very first post here, so hello everybody!

The question I've got is whether there are any precautions I should be aware of before screwing on the trem claw screws in my Silo Special.

Short story behind:
The reason I wanna do that is because I switched the strings to 10-46 from the originals i.e. 9-42. After having done that I noticed the trem is now floating, which is not what I expect it to do. I realized I don't have a proper screwdriver anywhere around so I decided to add two extra trem springs, which solves the problem... however it's really hard to bend the trem down now, it requires a lot of strenght. I preferred how it worked earlier with only three springs so I wanna go back to that config , with the trem claw screws screwed on deeper.

Thanks!

Jacob

 

[colinboy]

you should off left it the way it was.i recently changed my strings too from 9,s to 10,s and i didnt have to make any adjustments except afew small turns on the truss rod.i would say remove the extra spring and make sure the bridge is is line and completely flat with the body of the guitar.

 

[Smellybum]

Hi Jacob
and welcome, jin dobry and all that !

You should be aware that you guitar was built by people that give a sh*t - my advice would be leave it alone, where abouts in poland are you ?

 

[q-base]

Hi!

Thanks for getting back to me!

I am fully aware they do give a sh*t! I've been enjoying my Silo for about half a year now, and I just love it, despite some humbucker related issues, which is not the case as far as this post is concerned.

Well, Colinboy - the trem was floating with 10's in my case. Then i added extra springs and it got back to flat position. I guess I could achieve the same by screwing in the trem claw screws a bit, instead of adding the springs - I could not do it at a time due to lack of a proper screwdriver. What I am looking for is confirmation whether that's the best way of resolving the issue. I'd rather not touch the truss rod unless it really requires intervention or is explicitly out of shape. BTW, the action with 10's is ok.

The possibility of setting it up either to float or to flat position is of course an advantage.

I want the bridge to be flat with guitar's body, with only three springs installed - this will make it easy to manipulate the trem bar. I've got it flat now by using 5 springs - this is ok however it makes using the trem bar hard.

Smellybum5150, I'm in Krakow,

Cheers!
J

 

[TonyEVH5150]

My suggestion would be to take the extra spring off and use a phillips head screwdriver to tighten the trem claw a little. That's usually about the only adjustment you have to make when changing string gauges.

I'd just try to keep the trem claw pressure even by using the same number of turns on each screw. You can make your adjustments and try them out as you go.

A truss rod adjustment would only come into play if you developed problems with fret buzz. In most cases, changing string gauge up one level (9's to 10's) may not require any truss rod adjustments.

 

[jamminjim]

My suggestion would be to take the extra spring off and use a phillips head screwdriver to tighten the trem claw a little. That's usually about the only adjustment you have to make when changing string gauges.

I'd just try to keep the trem claw pressure even by using the same number of turns on each screw. You can make your adjustments and try them out as you go.

A truss rod adjustment would only come into play if you developed problems with fret buzz. In most cases, changing string gauge up one level (9's to 10's) may not require any truss rod adjustments.

+1 for what Tony said. Don't be afraid to adjust the trem claw springs in or out a little according to where you want your trem to sit. I like mine flat too. Won't hurt a thing. If you want to keep an idea of where the factory setting is for the trem spring screws, then take a black magic marker or similar and mark them. Or count the threads and write the info down.

I think 5 springs is a bit much. Wouldn't 4 have done the job?

 

[dstockden]

yep tighten the screws a bit until it pulls it level. Krakow! you lucky guy! i was there in march this year, beautiful city!

 

[TNT]

When you tighten the trem claw springs, you want to take as much "pressure" off of the screws, so that when you turn them you won't be "stripping" the wood threads (which you will do over time if you don't follow this pre-caution).

This way your not putting so much pressure on the wood threads to drive that screw in, while the springs are holding it back the opposite way.

 

[q-base]

Hi!

Thanks a lot for all the things you guys pointed out. I think I'll let you know tomorrow how the adjustment went.

Very good point with taking pressure off the screws, so thanks again.

David, Krakow indeed is a great place, but the impression you get as a visitor may be a bit different from how I see it as a local ;-) Anyway, I agree - the Old City and the Jewish District may be so much fun!

Cheers!
Jacob

--
http://www.myspace.com/kubapysz

 

[dstockden]

Hi!

Thanks a lot for all the things you guys pointed out. I think I'll let you know tomorrow how the adjustment went.

Very good point with taking pressure off the screws, so thanks again.

David, Krakow indeed is a great place, but the impression you get as a visitor may be a bit different from how I see it as a local ;-) Anyway, I agree - the Old City and the Jewish District may be so much fun!

Cheers!
Jacob

--
http://www.myspace.com/kubapysz

I imagine it is different living there! I live near Shakespeares Birth Place, everyone thinks its great to visit, come the winter though its not so great! I loved the main square in Krakow, its amazing! people are sooo friendly! The salt mines are amazing too! i also went to Auscwitz, obviously not so great.

 

[q-base]

Hey, a bit delayed quick update. I tightened the screws a bit while having the strings loosened and pulling the trem claw towards the screws so the pressure from the springs is not affecting the screw-thread to much. Tuned the instrument and it turned out I still have to make about one turn with the screwdriver. Loosened the string again, tightened the screws just a bit more, tuned the guitar, no problems encountered.

Thanks a lot once again.
Jacob

 

[candid_x]

Hi, Jacob. Glad you got it worked out.

Enjoying your My Space tunes. Innovative and fresh.

 

[q-base]

Hi, Jacob. Glad you got it worked out.

Enjoying your My Space tunes. Innovative and fresh.

Thank you. It's great to hear encouraging word, it puts a sincere smile on my face! Just to stick to general EBMM talk - only the newest track ("terrible product") was done with my Silo. Others were made with my oooold Talon Heartfield (does anyone still remembers those guitars?)

best regards!
Jacob