[solved] Strat string tension on a decked bridge, it's just preload

Gear
#21

There’s no mechanical reason why this “preload” should impact the strings; does a fixed bridge guitar string tension change when you glue the bridge to the body instead of screwing it? Or if you screw the screws down extra tight, does that change the feel? Once the trem is held flat against the body, and there’s enough string tension that it doesn’t rise up at any point during a bend, the additional tension is mechanically irrelevant. “Preload” implies at some point that additional tension isbeing exceeded, and if that was the case, then sure… but if there’s enough tension on the bridge that the bridge never becomes unplanted from the body, then that’s not really the case and you’d need some theory as to why the bridge “cares” how it’s being held in place, and I don’t know if I see one.

That’s not “more interested in arguing or trying to be bookish,” that’s just physics and the scientific method. If you think the amount of spring tension in excess of what’s needed to hold the bridge immobile for the largest bend you’re performing is meaningful, then what’s the mechanism by which that excess tension is transferred into the strings? This is pretty straightforward science, so there should be a physical mechanism that explains it.

2 Likes
#22

@Drew, I think you guys are missing the point. Let try to explain again.

Assumptions:

  1. bridge is decked
  2. decked bridge means the springs and claw are holding the bridge plate flush with the body.
  3. X is the minimum force needed to hold the bridge plate flush to the body.

Disturbing the equilibrium:

  1. applying a bend with Y force to a string when spring force is X, the bridge will lift say 1mm.
  2. the player applying force Y will feel force X as resistance + string elasticity + neck/body flex.

Applying preload:

  1. Force X is the bare minimum to hold the bridge plate flat to the body.
  2. Now if I increase force X to X + P, P being preload. P is generated by further tighten the claw, even though the bridge is already decked, just making it tighter.
  3. Now the bend force Y will to lift the bridge to 1mm, will in theory be X + P + body flex + string elasticity.

At this point will you not feel the Preload? I may have used this word wrong but the added P will be felt by the player bending the string to raise the bridge 1mm.

I’m using the bridge 1mm lift in lieu of saying bending a D to A on the G string for example.

Does this make any sense? Am I still wrong, my only concern about this is when bending and fretting and the perceived stiffness, modulating the effort needed.

edit: I think you didn’t read my middle post about preload being like what you use in suspension tuning. There’s a hard stop, in this case it’s the decked bridge.

#23

I think this is my point, but the parroting of basic physics and the bridge at rest was not my point of focus of interest here.

#24

“Parroting” sounds a little dismissive when you are trying to defend a theory that can’t endure the most superficial tests and you haven’t provided anything of substance besides a proverbial “trust me bro”. It’s not an opinion that’s opposing your theory. It’s the universe as we know it.

1 Like
#25

I said what I said.

You didsnt respond to it.

Parroting is accurate.

#26

Wait, are you saying the bridge was moving on larger bends after all? Because that would 100% explain the change of feel you’re describing.

If the bridge is decked and staying decked throughout the extent of the largest bends you’re playing, then no, this is placebo. If it’s moving, then when you bend past a certain point your bridge becomes floating and that 100% feels “softer” and “easier” than a fixed bridge because you’re no longer bending the string against a fixed focal point.

But you were pretty clear in your OP that this wasn’t what was happening and the bridge was completely fixed. That changes things.

2 Likes
#27

I’ve read your edits thoroughly so I am addressing them directly: You just learned how to setup a dive-only trem bridge just like everybody else.

I guess you are hyper excited because a properly setup guitar feels that nice and it’s new to you but I think you lost the audience with the confusing use of the term “decked”, which as far as I can tell, usually means just one thing among guitarists: the bridge is performing as a hardtail.

2 Likes
#28

Damn man, was so frustrated with you guys.

I’ve been playing a long while, some of you know me better than write a whole thread about trying to push the floor down while standing on it :man_shrugging: :man_facepalming:

Thanks @steve506 for the vote of confidence, to be honest it’s the first time I’m setting up my guitar to be decked, and I did explain and mention trem arm breakage due to high tensions. Ne ways, thanks for finally reading my notes.

I’d love to rant about a bridge being decked with spring tension involved, comprehension … :rofl: :grimacing:

#29

So the bridge IS still pulling away from the body on bends? I’m so confused now. :laughing:

2 Likes
#30

Only if your on LSD :rofl: :crazy_face:

#31
#32

Right, if you can bend three semitones, that is about TWICE the original tension of the string — so it is like adding another string to the guitar for that moment! This might lift the bridge!

#33

I just remembered there were three terms for a trem bridge setup:

  1. floating - two way motion, push and pull
  2. decked - one way motion, only push
  3. blocked - zero motion, essentially a hard tail.

Decked was the right word.