CE24 - Make trem more bendy!

[sick pickle]

hey folks,

On my CE24, the bar is a little bit stiff. I wish it behaved a bit more like a Floyd (I know I know…it’s not a Floyd). But I use this guitar for my Rush stuff - Alex Lifeson type whammy from the 80s. It has 4 springs in it now - would I just drop this down to 3 springs and then correct the bridge height to compensate?

I just want it to be a bit more reactive to my touch!

 

[Birdsofprey]

It would require a different setup which is not an issue. If you can do it yourself great, if not get a pro setup and be very specific what you want out of it. That being said, remove one of the springs from the trem and adjust the claw out to compensate for the less tension and proper bridge angle. Retune and enjoy. If you’re already scratching your head then let the shop do it. Easy fix.

 

[Greywolf]

Agree ... reduce the spring count and adjust :

 

[d^rren]

Four springs will be very stiff. Remove a spring or two then re-balance the trem by tightening the claw. Easy-peasy.

 

[gush]

First. Those trem springs can be a bit tricky to get out of the trem block. Some have reported breaking the hook off in the trem block hole. Obviously, you don't want that to happen.

My advise is this. Assuming all four springs are spaced out evenly, try taking the one out that is in the high string side of center. You'll have two outside springs and two more center springs. Take the one out that is under the G and B strings.

Take it off the claw first then use needle nose pliers to work spring left right left right while pulling up at the same time. You do not want to bend spring hook because it will break.

If your spring comes out easily then you can decide if you want to move the other middle spring to the exact center position. It won't hurt trem performance either way.

Not knowing your string gauge, I'd start by turning the two claw screws in one full turn each.

Back of your trem may still be sitting higher even though you adjusted claw screws in. No matter

Loosen all of the strings then start bringing them up to pitch. Once all are up to pitch check trem. Is it level like before? If it's still high, run claw screws in more and start over. If its too low run claw screws out then start over.

Once you do this, next time will be easier.

 

[aamefford]

I’m kinda the other way around. I like the trem stiffer. Course a barely use it. I appreciate the info though very much.

 

[BrianC]

I put the arm in a vise and bend it so that it is a bit raise from the body. This gives is a better feel for me almost like a bigsby -more touch sensitive.

I found the angle i like and trace it on paper and then bend the other guitars to be the same.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I put the arm in a vise and bend it so that it is a bit raise from the body. This gives is a better feel for me almost like a bigsby -more touch sensitive.

I found the angle i like and trace it on paper and then bend the other guitars to be the same.

I do the same thing, and use only three springs.

The other thing I have had to do is to cut down the end of the bar (the part that goes into the bushing) on a couple of my newer guitars (when they briefly used the same bars as SEs/S2s) so they sit flush like they always used to.

 

[dogrocketp]

I have also reset the bridge so that the outside string saddles are as close as possible to the bridge plate. I do maintain the 10” radius, so all of them get reset to the proper radius. This increases the travel both up and down when you readjust the bridge plate. It does change the very high frequencies, so you have to like that as well.