5 things you didn't know about your Fender Strat

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  • Опубликовано: 11 июл 2024
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Комментарии • 2,5 тыс.

  • @holstorrsceadus1990
    @holstorrsceadus1990 3 года назад +146

    After watching this I realized I was one of the none of my trem arms have that spring because none of my guitars are new. I just went to my crap drawer and fished out an old empty lighter and took out the spring from under the flint. I cut it down to size and it works perfectly. Made a few with one spring. Thanks Phil.

    • @bobholland5302
      @bobholland5302 2 года назад +8

      I was thinking the same thing about a ball point pen spring.

    • @holstorrsceadus1990
      @holstorrsceadus1990 2 года назад +4

      @@bobholland5302 if my wife didn't immediately discard pens the second they start to fail I'd have a bunch of those in the crap drawer too. I strip everything.

    • @Astro_touches_children
      @Astro_touches_children 2 года назад +3

      I brought this video back up looking for your comment ( I don't play dive bombs, but keeping options open is always wise) thanks for the tip.🎸

    • @weedian710
      @weedian710 2 года назад +2

      Hell yeah! Thank you!!!

    • @Dave-tw9ib
      @Dave-tw9ib 2 года назад +1

      @@bobholland5302 not a chance those springs a weeeeak

  • @danewilbanks1
    @danewilbanks1 7 лет назад +3916

    Well first off I didn't know I had a fender strat

  • @DANEXIOyt
    @DANEXIOyt 4 года назад +417

    This video slowly went from being "Things you didn't know about Stratocaster" to "How to fix problems with your Stratocaster"

  • @edryba4867
    @edryba4867 Год назад +20

    There’s an old Strat player’s trick (for when that little spring doesn’t exist), you can wrap the threads on the tremolo bar with something that plumbers use… Teflon Tape! You can get it at any hardware store that sells plumbing supplies. Wrap some Teflon Tape twice around the threads (three times at the most) and that will keep that whammy bar from just swinging freely. The tape (which is not sticky in any way) adds just a little bit of friction to the threads. This prevents the bar from dropping to a “straight down” position when you let go, and keeps your tremolo bar in whatever position you left it. It won’t damage the threads (it’s just a very thin plastic), so the threads will stay like new as long as you have that Strat! The piece of Teflon Tape in my Strat has been there for at least 15 years! File this trick under “easy fixes”.

    • @willcupa
      @willcupa Год назад

      You can also use any little spring, like those in color pens, i used one like that on my strat

    • @Juno58
      @Juno58 11 месяцев назад

      Another good thing of the teflon tape is, it prevents the trem arm from wobbling in the thread.

  • @snottyboy9983
    @snottyboy9983 3 года назад +174

    Me with a squier telecaster: "hmm yes, ah, I see oh hmm yes yes"

    • @mihaelurasek6262
      @mihaelurasek6262 3 года назад +4

      Me with player series telecaster:
      this video is interesing, this guy put a lot of effort to fix all problems, for a 1200€ guitar.

    • @arinovick3899
      @arinovick3899 3 года назад

      Same I have a classic vibe tele though

    • @snottyboy9983
      @snottyboy9983 3 года назад +1

      @@arinovick3899 Woah there buddy who said I didn't too? 😏

    • @arinovick3899
      @arinovick3899 3 года назад

      @@snottyboy9983 ah yes but I didn't say which decade

    • @snottyboy9983
      @snottyboy9983 3 года назад +1

      @@arinovick3899 well I didn't think it was relevant so I didn't ask or state the decade.

  • @kilgoretrout3966
    @kilgoretrout3966 7 лет назад +375

    "Don't want it swinging, but still want it stiff"..... All respect, but i was eating, and nearly did a spit take laughing.

    • @robertlofgran8871
      @robertlofgran8871 5 лет назад +4

      Dig the Vonnegut reference dude. 👍😎

    • @eddyvideostar
      @eddyvideostar 5 лет назад +1

      Kilgore Trout: I sense a little subliminal Freudian, along with your laughter expressing your joy and g....y.

    • @mihneazoican2479
      @mihneazoican2479 5 лет назад +2

      1:58 "you get stiff right away"

    • @InTheLifeOfAnArtist
      @InTheLifeOfAnArtist 5 лет назад

      Kilgore Trout sick minded.

    • @anotherwaytafkash
      @anotherwaytafkash 5 лет назад

      Playin a strat is sexy .. that i what he ment...😬

  • @shadowcircus
    @shadowcircus 5 лет назад +25

    Wow, been playing a Strat for over 30 years, and you've addressed pretty much every annoyance I've had! Thanks!

  • @HumanTimeMachine
    @HumanTimeMachine 3 года назад +404

    What bothers me is when you spend $1600 on an electric guitar and then start diy on it for things that should be resolved at that price point.

    • @user-co6fw6ql7h
      @user-co6fw6ql7h 2 года назад +29

      Another good reason to play a PRS.

    • @JeserNoob
      @JeserNoob 2 года назад +16

      @@user-co6fw6ql7h or G&L

    • @vegashdrider
      @vegashdrider 2 года назад +48

      Or quit crying and practice, gee sorry the guitar manufacturers didn’t consult with you first

    • @kingvkelly2313
      @kingvkelly2313 2 года назад +9

      @@vegashdrider 🤣🤣🤣🤣

    • @Anjohl
      @Anjohl 2 года назад +22

      *Shudder*, there's never a reason to play a PRS, unless you were given one for free, and even then, you're better off passing that curse on to someone else, and using the proceeds to buy two guitars that will both be better than the PRS!

  • @liamtahaney713
    @liamtahaney713 7 лет назад +512

    I guess that spring explains why Americans are 3 times as much...one hell of an expensive spring

    • @psilocypher
      @psilocypher 5 лет назад +4

      $5.79 on amazon

    • @faustoorieta
      @faustoorieta 4 года назад +21

      you paying for that sweet fender logo bro!

    • @Quicksilver_Cookie
      @Quicksilver_Cookie 4 года назад +29

      It's all in small details, you can't possibly explain it to anybody with a picture or description. I like Mexican Strats as much as the next guy, but once you pick up one side by side with something like American Standard(whatever that model is now) you can instantly feel the difference. The fit, finish, hardware quality. All you have to do is rub your hand against the edge of the neck and you can instantly tell which has better fretwork. It's the little things. Does it make American models 3 times better? Hardly. Even owning one I can say that in terms of value it's not as good as a Mexican models. But you always pay unproportionally more for incremental improvements in every product category. Is 1000 dollar phone twice as good as 500 dollar one? It almost never is, but that's how much they want for a slightly better product.

    • @milan_musi7044
      @milan_musi7044 4 года назад +1

      I once ordered a pack on the site of a big European retailer. Cost 7€ for a pack of 12, so I thought, wow, kinda expensive. And then shipping costs, so it was something like 10€. I had to add a tech 21 rk5 fly rig to the basket to save at least the shipping costs. Springs and pedal were good purchases.

    • @peacewalkr
      @peacewalkr 4 года назад

      @conquester t h a t s t h e j o k e

  • @Kat-nd5fq
    @Kat-nd5fq 3 года назад +352

    Me with my Epiphone SG "interesting"

    • @redautumn5441
      @redautumn5441 3 года назад +16

      @@Haha-Jim ur so cool dude 😱😱

    • @quinn.0
      @quinn.0 3 года назад +10

      why do people like SGs? the shape always threw me off idk why

    • @Kat-nd5fq
      @Kat-nd5fq 3 года назад +18

      @@quinn.0 it's partially because of the guitar's reputation, having been closely associated with both Tony Iommi and Angus Young, as well as the neck profile making it easier to play

    • @coupe-lee
      @coupe-lee 3 года назад +3

      @@quinn.0 in terms of sound and playing comfort they’re pretty decent since they’re sort of like a lighter les paul, but they’re twice as fragile! Since there’s less wood at the neck joint, you basically have to rely 100% on the glue to hold the two pieces together.

    • @precisionbrown6829
      @precisionbrown6829 3 года назад

      @@quinn.0 yep I thought the same thing for many years. Then I just bought one

  • @BradleyFelton
    @BradleyFelton 6 лет назад +21

    I feel like this is more of a “how to fix annoying issues” video than it is a “things you didn’t know” video. Regardless, great video that provided some really cool and super useful info!

  • @tonysansom
    @tonysansom 3 года назад +9

    Interesting to learn about the tremolo spring. In the mid-80's I bought a brand new Japan Strat and as you said, it had no spring. In fact, I didn't know they existed until watching this video.

    • @jaybarber68
      @jaybarber68 2 года назад +1

      I’d never been aware of that either.

  • @rickroche8860
    @rickroche8860 4 года назад +17

    Good job - I actually learned something! Been playing for over 65 years, Strats and Teles, and your information was eye opening! I went the foam pad route with the springs, and just learned to avoid the vol control on strats, but the foam ring is cool . . .

  • @thepaulhowell
    @thepaulhowell 7 лет назад +10

    Thanks! I just added a spring to my Floyd Rose and now it works the way I always thought that it should!

  • @thestinkywetbandit8388
    @thestinkywetbandit8388 4 года назад +257

    “You get stiff right away”

    • @davidvelox224
      @davidvelox224 4 года назад +8

      That’s what I call Quality

    • @noahtaylor8673
      @noahtaylor8673 4 года назад +5

      I already knew that about my strat

    • @davidvelox224
      @davidvelox224 4 года назад +6

      Noah Taylor you got stiff immediately?

    • @noahtaylor8673
      @noahtaylor8673 4 года назад +1

      @Lincoln Onion /r/wooshergotwooshed

    • @acedvulpes2759
      @acedvulpes2759 4 года назад

      Lincoln Onion, just stop R/wooooshing people, also r/wooshwith4o’s

  • @rw8017
    @rw8017 2 года назад

    This video blew my mind! When I got my '62 reissue, I don't recall a sticker so always thought the tremolo was just a bit "janky" as I didn't have the spring in place - pretty much kept me from ever using it. And the tricks for keeping the knobs more fixed and keeping the springs from being so noisy - such great ideas Phil. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us. 😃

  • @adaptiveagile
    @adaptiveagile 7 лет назад +34

    This tutorial was excellent. I ordered Fender trem springs right away. Made such a difference.
    But a word of caution using foam products inside the trem tension springs: certain types of foam products disintegrate--or "rot"--over time, leaving you with a sticky, gooe mess that is very hard to clean up. This has happened with so many of my stored products, and even includes certain rubberized plastics like those used as camera grips. The consistency is visibly identical to tar, and I think it's safe to assume these chemicals are petroleum based..

  • @uncoolrunnings
    @uncoolrunnings 4 года назад +24

    These are all reasons I love the Telecaster. Few moving parts, strings through the body. They got it right the first time.

  • @Boywellesley13
    @Boywellesley13 5 лет назад +16

    You can use a rubber o-ring under the knobs instead of the foam to keep from accidentally moving them, also works for your pedals.

  • @richard66754
    @richard66754 6 лет назад +12

    Love the foam under the volume knob trick. I have an Ingwie loaded pick guard with a low friction pot that moves if you breath on it. If Fender would get pots that turn the other way, the strat players through the years might not have turned their knob down by accident.

  • @guitarhiker4449
    @guitarhiker4449 7 лет назад +7

    Hey thanks for the video I've been playing strats for years now and I only knew one of those tricks lol. Learn something new everyday ! Rock on !

  • @griff2712
    @griff2712 7 лет назад +9

    I've been playing guitar for over 23 years in different bands, places, environments. Never have I had the honour of being in the company of someone with your knowledge. Mr McKnight, you are awesome. :)

  • @frankyjr888
    @frankyjr888 10 месяцев назад

    The tip with the spring is unbelievable, that's exactly what I was looking for on my Yamaha Pacifica 112V BL RL.
    I just had to close the hole in the bottom of the tremolo block.
    Thanks, Phillip

  • @pierreraymond822
    @pierreraymond822 5 лет назад

    I’ve been cutting apart pickguards and replacing parts on Strats since 1984 and you blew my mind. 1) The trem issue was a problem that I gave up on and simply twist it so it's locked facing around 8’oclock. 2) I do love the onboard spring reverb tank (ahem, thought I only knew about that) but some of my Strats have 4 tight springs = IMO perfect reverb effect but little divebombing ability and some have 3 loose springs = too much booing!, now I will experiment with this muffling technique. 3) Foam under the volume knob (AKA tone) is really nice trick. PS: Love your RUclipss - you’re very pleasent to watch and learn. Keep on pickin’.

  • @haveguitar
    @haveguitar 7 лет назад +7

    well, that's the explanation to spring I found when I got a strat recently... 😎 good and informational video, thanks!

  • @asmo_1929
    @asmo_1929 7 лет назад +869

    I don't know why i'm watching this, i have a Les Paul

    • @Mike.Nov51
      @Mike.Nov51 5 лет назад +9

      I heard Leo had a Paul way back

    • @tripleforcium8003
      @tripleforcium8003 5 лет назад +5

      I have a Telecaster

    • @allsafe1
      @allsafe1 5 лет назад

      Yawn !

    • @marcusm5523
      @marcusm5523 5 лет назад +13

      @showlogicprod skill is not dictated by tone. Literally the dumest thing I've read in a guitar thread before.

    • @marcusm5523
      @marcusm5523 5 лет назад +15

      @showlogicprod lol so defensive. Carry on with that expert tone! Also, music isn't a competition - maybe one day you'll realise that and actually enjoy it...

  • @autocrow
    @autocrow 6 лет назад

    Didn't know about the spring, so I put a spring from a ball point pen into mine and it's awesome. I thought it would fall out in transport, but the spring became caught up in the hole. It's so nice to have the trem arm up and ready, rather than dangling straight down.

  • @mksounds6326
    @mksounds6326 3 года назад

    Been playing Strats for 30 years. That string/foam trick is awesome. Thanks for the video.
    Happy Holidays from the Bay Area!
    MK

  • @stevenstokes8148
    @stevenstokes8148 7 лет назад +16

    really good info I've been playing for 20 yrs and didn't know these tricks. now I can apply them ty good video

    • @reachableapp7463
      @reachableapp7463 4 года назад

      Hey Steven! You can actually get a quick response from Phil and answers to your questions by joining his Reachable community here: home.reachableapp.com/?Name=phil%20mcknight
      Phil also talks about the launch of his Reachable community here: ruclips.net/video/yxHMDTp_O20/видео.html.

  • @jacksondemarre8057
    @jacksondemarre8057 7 лет назад +314

    You should do 5 Things you didn't know about a Gibson Telecaster.

  • @colinkhan2936
    @colinkhan2936 3 года назад +2

    Thanks Phillip, your tips are great and you've taught me a lot about the strat! Keep it up!

  • @mr.bonesbbq3288
    @mr.bonesbbq3288 4 года назад +1

    Cool tips and info Brother! I been playin strats fer bout 40 years, didn't know some of these! Nice job, as always!

  • @johnvcougar
    @johnvcougar 3 года назад +6

    Yep, knew it all, and NEVER dampen the springs! That's part of the beatific character of the Strat! I love the light reverb the springs give ... some guys even go to trouble to amplify the springs (LOL). Each to their own.

  • @AnimilesYT
    @AnimilesYT 4 года назад +62

    7:06 "a lot of guys have the same problem. When they're strumming they hit their knob".
    I don't know how you play guitar, but I think it's quite the challenge to hit your knob xD

    • @ishrakahmedresham9403
      @ishrakahmedresham9403 4 года назад +2

      Well, honestly, I hit the knob very often too man. I've noticed that almost all strats have the volume knob placed very close to the strings which actually gets hit almost every time you're trying to play something on the higher strings...

    • @jwaller1231
      @jwaller1231 4 года назад +1

      When I had a Strat, I hit it more then I cared to. Watch Keith Urban play his. He is constantly turning it back up with his pinky. Could just be a fidget thing, but I noticed he messes it all the time.

    • @ziyyp
      @ziyyp 4 года назад +2

      Ikr maybe that how some player play a strat. Its quite challenging for me to actually. I cant imagine strumming at the same time hitting the knob. I guess for some people, they like to strum close to the bridge thats why

    • @keffus7
      @keffus7 4 года назад +16

      I actually got the joke. LOL.

    • @johnnieguitar5724
      @johnnieguitar5724 4 года назад

      I've played a Strat, mostly lead work, for about 50 years, and quickly adjusted the length of my strum so that it doesn't hit my volume knob. Hello?!

  • @gregs2466
    @gregs2466 Год назад

    I bought a used strat but it will not be here for another day. I had to go out and buy a new tremolo arm (didn't have one) but the other ideas were great too. You are the first of my line into knowing my new strat! Thanks

  • @tdhawk167
    @tdhawk167 4 года назад +1

    Thanks! I'll be adding a spring and the foam fixes, as well. Great vid.

  • @lloydwoodward4415
    @lloydwoodward4415 8 лет назад +22

    Nice to see a knowledgeable presentation without the vulgar language usually used. Great job Phil.Thanks

    • @lr6884
      @lr6884 5 лет назад +6

      Fuckin' aye, right?

    • @royalmorehead2110
      @royalmorehead2110 5 лет назад +1

      Sadly, some people can't talk without vulgarity.

    • @paulstearne1
      @paulstearne1 5 лет назад +4

      Why does it matter?

  • @danbeck3166
    @danbeck3166 8 лет назад +20

    I put ciggarette filters in the springs...to shut them up...doing that since the 70s... good video

    • @ivandeus
      @ivandeus 8 лет назад +1

      +dan beck i use plastic tube isolation stripped down from network twisted pair cable

    • @danbeck3166
      @danbeck3166 8 лет назад +3

      That will work..

    • @j.d.schultzsr.9215
      @j.d.schultzsr.9215 4 года назад

      @Gevalt,
      Of course they touched tobacco!! You only use filters you find in the ashtrays of the Kit Kat Klub or on the street!! After they drag them down a gravel road, that helps the antiqued "custom shop" guitars get that lovely roadworn patina that cost an extra few hundred bucks.

  • @raybede
    @raybede 6 лет назад

    Thank you so much. I have done the foam knob thing now and it works really well.

  • @woodyforest2100
    @woodyforest2100 2 года назад

    Excellent tips Phil! I am doing most of these tomorrow on my “Magnificent 7” Strat! The one I won’t need to do is the spring in the trem arm because they somehow fixed the pop-in arm to where it stays where you leave it. They might have fixed it in all Elites? The volume knob has been making me crazy! Love your channel!

  • @thelespauldude3283
    @thelespauldude3283 7 лет назад +330

    i lost the spring for the tremolo. I used one from a pen haha

    • @tylerdeavitt6728
      @tylerdeavitt6728 7 лет назад +5

      smart!

    • @HankCScorpio
      @HankCScorpio 7 лет назад +60

      if you have one from a pen, then you its not doing anything. Those springs are not strong enough to give you any benefit.

    • @onpsxmember
      @onpsxmember 7 лет назад +24

      Exactly, they can fall apart inside and are often hard to get out. A good one will last a long time.
      Can i have a flamethrower now, Hank?

    • @SVNFLDFN
      @SVNFLDFN 6 лет назад +1

      CROWjunkie same!

    • @SVNFLDFN
      @SVNFLDFN 6 лет назад +4

      HankCScorpio actually they are. Mine works just fine with my pen spring lol. It doesn't really take a whole lot for it to work. Now it may not be as perfect and it may not last as long. But it does work just fine

  • @henryssurfshowcase
    @henryssurfshowcase 6 лет назад +22

    Good tips! And yes I'm the guy always bumping that volume knob-

    • @3RingRaiders
      @3RingRaiders 5 лет назад

      me too thanks for the advice Phil

  • @user-ik7ul9ov3l
    @user-ik7ul9ov3l Год назад

    I've seen other tips from another videos around but that volume knob trick is new tip for me! Cool tip.👍 Thank you.

  • @boogiemorgan
    @boogiemorgan 11 месяцев назад

    Thanks much for the tips and advice! Hope you have a wonderful day!😊

  • @SteveStell
    @SteveStell 7 лет назад +35

    sometimes i like the spring noise. its like natural built in spring reverb especially on super resonate notes. good tips to get rid of the noise regardless. nice foam volume knob trick too.

    • @RAevenman
      @RAevenman 7 лет назад +7

      But other times, it creates an audio pitch that is out of tune with what being played in my experience.

    • @narkoticssodoma408
      @narkoticssodoma408 6 лет назад

      THIS i cant udnerstand people who like the noise that sometimes come from the springs, gives kind of a dissonant chorus that fucks up with your ears even if you really aint noticing it

    • @don22b
      @don22b 6 лет назад +1

      The stat Chat...LEAVE THE SPRINGS ALONE....that's the magic

    • @michaelb.4210
      @michaelb.4210 5 лет назад +1

      I agree, unless we are talking about something more intense that I haven't experienced yet, I always thought it was what gave the strat a more complex, jangly character. Especially strumming. It's like a subtle pseudo accoustic effect. I mean, if he is just saying every strat needs this done by default I don't really agree, I think it would make the tone more generic.

  • @musicmann1967
    @musicmann1967 8 лет назад +3

    After all these years I had NO IDEA about that little spring under the tremelo arm!! (I paused the video and ordered one immediately!! hehehe) I knew about the screws on the tremelo plate, but everything else was news to me, and some really good tips. Thanks!!! You're the man!!

    • @spydermunkie
      @spydermunkie 8 лет назад +1

      +Larry Lachmann Same here... I have probably had a dozen different strats in the last 25 years and have never heard of this spring before. Gunna get one now!

    • @musicmann1967
      @musicmann1967 8 лет назад

      +spydermunkie The first Strat I had was in '79. I've had several since then. And every time I've screwed on the tremelo arm I think, "Man, this is a crappy design. It's just floppin' around and making noise!" Every time!! haha This was a revelation!! Better late than never! :)

  • @weedian710
    @weedian710 2 года назад

    Thank you so much!!! Totally forgot about trem springs!!! Definitely need one.

  • @gadgscoastguitars7494
    @gadgscoastguitars7494 4 года назад

    Awesome - love the volume knob fix. Thanks PMK.

  • @shethinksimironman
    @shethinksimironman 8 лет назад +577

    "stiff right away" (Sorry Im immature)

    • @slatermclatchey2294
      @slatermclatchey2294 8 лет назад +18

      at least your honest

    • @stevesalisbury8206
      @stevesalisbury8206 8 лет назад +1

      +Dillion The Hacker lol

    • @jordanols
      @jordanols 8 лет назад +10

      I was literally just scrolling down to write something similar haha.

    • @TheJofrica
      @TheJofrica 8 лет назад +7

      THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID

    • @mattsmachines
      @mattsmachines 7 лет назад +21

      "some guys when they strum, they hit their nob"

  • @lewiswilliams4595
    @lewiswilliams4595 3 года назад +114

    "A lot of guys accidentally hit their knob while strumming"

    • @rightdirectionadvisors5165
      @rightdirectionadvisors5165 3 года назад +4

      I hit my knob strumming daily. Lol

    • @HughJitsu
      @HughJitsu 3 года назад +8

      @1:59 "... you get stiff right away..."

    • @ricardorchicagorealtor7694
      @ricardorchicagorealtor7694 3 года назад +2

      One of the most frustrating things about playing a strat, I hit it every time I play 😫

    • @jonnifjader
      @jonnifjader 3 года назад +2

      @lester willimams giggity..

    • @williamsporing1500
      @williamsporing1500 3 года назад

      Stupid placement for pickup selector! I’m thinking about putting a prs rotary know on mine

  • @VFusco
    @VFusco 5 лет назад

    The Foam under the knob is great, even more so for my Precision. Thanks Phil. I appreciate your videos. They are very helpful.

  • @steveindorset
    @steveindorset 6 лет назад +2

    Thanks Dude, I’ve had my USA Strat since 93 I never knew I was missing a spring on the trem??
    The tricks with the foam on the volume pot and springs are just awesome! Those spring noises always drove me nuts and I’m always knocking the volume!

  • @michaelmattson3515
    @michaelmattson3515 4 года назад +16

    A quote from Leo Fender......” all my guitars were custom made , I cussed every one of them” . Pretty close from l remember reading years ago.

  • @trentmason009
    @trentmason009 8 лет назад +4

    You are awesome for making this.

  • @brianperetti5980
    @brianperetti5980 4 года назад +1

    Philip McKnight, thank you for the little tremolo arm spring tip! I was wondering what that thing was for, and yes, I have that droopy arm problem! Let’s see if it works...

  • @BrianSmith-ey9js
    @BrianSmith-ey9js 4 года назад +1

    That was an awesome lesson. Thanks so much for sharing bro. You're the man!

  • @PaulRoseGuitar
    @PaulRoseGuitar 8 лет назад +5

    That tremolo spring idea is excellent. I'm going to try that, thanks

    • @MrGul
      @MrGul 8 лет назад +2

      +Paul Rose Indeed, it's a great solution. I'm just wondering why this problem hasn't already been adressed by Fender (and other guitar companies) already? I mean, this has been a problem ever since the spring-based tremolo was first invented - so why not manufacture new springs that have had the proper silencing treatment? I just can't see why it's not in the companies' best interest to have the best product available...

  • @eranmontiel
    @eranmontiel 8 лет назад +65

    On Fender's website, they recommend that trem bridges should have a 1/8th inch gap from the body. The bridge should not be flat on the body.

    • @PhillipMcKnight
      @PhillipMcKnight  8 лет назад +11

      +Eran Montiel I understand

    • @axleblaze123
      @axleblaze123 8 лет назад +3

      Bridge flat against the body just like the the old school john mayer strats

    • @gmlasam
      @gmlasam 8 лет назад +26

      +Eran Montiel Rubbish…its personal preference. Having the bridge flat to the body allows the guitar to resonate more gives better sustain, its similar to playing a hard tail strat. Notice why a tele seems to sustain and resonate better than a strat?

    • @eranmontiel
      @eranmontiel 8 лет назад +4

      +gmlasam oh for sure there are a number of ways you can set up your guitar, I was just relaying what fender days on their site as to the standard setup.

    • @oyhe94
      @oyhe94 8 лет назад +8

      +Eran Montiel That is correct, but that gap is supposed to be caused by the spring tension and the string tension, causing the bridge to float. Not the screw pushing the bridge down in the front.

  • @mentula3784
    @mentula3784 3 года назад

    I've been subscribed for years and only just realised my Mexican strat needs a spring not a new trem block. Thanks Phil!

  • @Rikamortis6stringer
    @Rikamortis6stringer Год назад

    Good tips. For the volume knob I bought a small pack of rubber O rings. Then slide it over the shaft.

  • @wesmatron
    @wesmatron 7 лет назад +156

    When playing a Les Paul I always get the feeling that the most expensive part is the name on the headstock. Same with Fenders

    • @acegibson9533
      @acegibson9533 4 года назад +43

      Then don't play a Les Paul or a Fender. Problems solved.

    • @l4lo678
      @l4lo678 4 года назад +8

      4JayeP Borden epiphone ftw

    • @Pindakaaspot
      @Pindakaaspot 4 года назад +7

      Only thing that's really worth the money is the pickups which you can just put in a squire.

    • @TheGeamic3
      @TheGeamic3 4 года назад

      @@acegibson9533 mijmi

    • @kristourangeau6572
      @kristourangeau6572 4 года назад +15

      Not true...literally everything is way better quality. You can feel the difference between the 2 when playing. You make less mistakes playing a fender. It’s more effortless then a squire.

  • @thisoldditty
    @thisoldditty 4 года назад +7

    very interesting love the foam doughnut trick, and the spring silencer, very nice.

  • @MasterMojo85
    @MasterMojo85 Год назад

    Lol I had no idea that those tremolo springs exist. I instantly ordered a pack of them. Thank you.

  • @RodneyGuitar
    @RodneyGuitar 5 лет назад +1

    I like your videos. It shows your passion and reverence towards these musical instruments.

  • @stankfanger1366
    @stankfanger1366 8 лет назад +145

    Dude is like the Martha Stewart of the guitar world. Knows how to do pretty much everything better, cheaper, and faster.

    • @charlie.cheshire
      @charlie.cheshire 6 лет назад +13

      Young Frankenstein I guess you could say he knows his gear...

    • @garyswann9756
      @garyswann9756 5 лет назад

      I

    • @vicparsons5498
      @vicparsons5498 5 лет назад

      why are u using a licensed photo im going to sue you! LOU!

  • @everythingbobbywolfe
    @everythingbobbywolfe 8 лет назад +62

    I feel like a dumbass never realizing a spring was suppose to go in the trem arm. Phil, another great vid

  • @30yearslater27
    @30yearslater27 3 года назад +2

    This video has been on my suggested videos for at least a year. I watched it, I liked it, I'm a subscriber... I don't need to watch it every day, though...

  • @anne5surf
    @anne5surf 6 лет назад +1

    Thanks for the great tips, I have a wobbly tremolo arm and I hit the volume knob. They don’t ship the springs to the UK but I’ll get round that! 👍

  • @Exakta66
    @Exakta66 8 лет назад +17

    The only real mod I've ever done to my Strat is I added one wire so that one of the tone knobs works on the bridge pickup...I found that to be worthwhile...

    • @doitnowvideosyeah5841
      @doitnowvideosyeah5841 5 лет назад +7

      Never understood why the pick up that needs treble attenuation has no tone control

  • @jeffnorris6360
    @jeffnorris6360 5 лет назад +5

    Watched you with Marty and a Jazzmaster. Had to sub!

  • @jonathanstatman82
    @jonathanstatman82 Год назад

    never knew about the static issue. just had that issue for the first time. I used a dryer sheet with a little plastic baggie as a barrier so as to not get any gunk on the guitar. worked like a charm

  • @irluckey
    @irluckey 5 лет назад +1

    Thanks for the information!!!
    Your video was nicely done

  • @PikkaBird
    @PikkaBird 8 лет назад +43

    1:59 that's what she said...

  • @prestonmcduffie5438
    @prestonmcduffie5438 4 года назад +3

    I have been keeping up with you and what you're doing for some time and I'm extremely impressed and above all your a likable guy with plenty of knowledge and I appreciate what you do I wanted you to know that thank you...

  • @allentaylor3325
    @allentaylor3325 5 лет назад +1

    I LOVE the volume know suggestion ... THANK YOU~~~!!

  • @ericwright6672
    @ericwright6672 2 года назад

    Great video Phil I learned a few things ! Keep at it!

  • @whitedevil2
    @whitedevil2 7 лет назад +8

    so does that tremelo arm spring not work on a MIM strat? there is a hole in the bottom of that opening so when i put the spring in, it just falls out the bottom.

    • @jakethomas6138
      @jakethomas6138 7 лет назад +1

      Some of the earlier 90s mex had a hole in the bottom, so you cant add a spring, but im pretty sure all recent ones are solid!

    • @whitedevil2
      @whitedevil2 7 лет назад

      mine is a '10

    • @ironmanmachine
      @ironmanmachine 7 лет назад +2

      whitedevil2 tap the hole and put set screw in it.

    • @epipick
      @epipick 5 лет назад

      My MIM Strat came with an Easy-mute tremelo.

  • @JohanSegeborn
    @JohanSegeborn 8 лет назад +31

    Great video! Thanks

  • @thecappy
    @thecappy 3 года назад

    Just bought a used '15 amstd strat. Been a bass player since '95 so this was a good video for me.

  • @oaklandmax
    @oaklandmax 4 года назад

    very cool insights into the strat. I like the springy sound, so, no dampening the springs for me.

  • @yesyes1766
    @yesyes1766 4 года назад +80

    DOES THAT MEAN I LOST THE SPRING

    • @KevinGallant10
      @KevinGallant10 4 года назад +8

      I feel ya, never knew about till now but feels like I've been missing so much

    • @maykel_192
      @maykel_192 4 года назад +12

      you can just take the spring of a pen

    • @denniswalsh8476
      @denniswalsh8476 4 года назад +3

      @@maykel_192 no where stiff enough, (there is also a ball bearing with the spring). New kits also have a small disk magnet to cover the hole to use over the hole to (help) keep the spring from getting lost. It's about $10.

    • @bantalee2002
      @bantalee2002 4 года назад +11

      lol,.perhaps the janitor at the last gig you performed at, found the spring and is now scratching his head contemplating where it came from.

    • @memeshack9454
      @memeshack9454 4 года назад +2

      I lost mine too

  • @gmlasam
    @gmlasam 8 лет назад +3

    That spring for the trem bar is recent feature from fender and it was an old trick from the 70s to help keep tension for the term bar as illustrated.

  • @precisionbrown6829
    @precisionbrown6829 3 года назад

    Thanks I always hit the darn volume knob.
    Thanks! Great idea

  • @hughcdavies
    @hughcdavies 4 года назад

    Thanks man the tremolo tips work for me, I'd worked out the loosening the screws and springs are cheap on e-bay. As for foam, it's a little less to throw away. Might need to be checked after a few years mind. It won't last forever.

  • @princeadonis1219
    @princeadonis1219 5 лет назад +30

    “You get stiff right away.” Holy crap

    • @crlguitar1
      @crlguitar1 3 года назад +1

      Yeah....I get aroused playing my Strat too....

  • @kungpuk5186
    @kungpuk5186 8 лет назад +7

    That ringing sound is why you play a strat! You don't want to take that away + If you use a six screw bridge you just pivot on the two outer screws, not all six.

  • @cropcircle5693
    @cropcircle5693 Год назад +1

    It is amazing how the people at guitar stores as Fender dealers don't know about the spring in the tremolo. This is the first I'm hearing of this and I've recently been in to two stores to sort out my used Strat tremolo bar issues. This is the exact problem solved.

  • @johnclark1925
    @johnclark1925 Год назад

    The spring!
    I did not know! That’s a fix for me! Many thanks.

  • @andrewvitale2700
    @andrewvitale2700 5 лет назад +6

    If you use little blue springs and it stays stiff for 4 hours or more contact your nearest Luther.

  • @freshcaughtbass
    @freshcaughtbass 7 лет назад +5

    wow, i never knew that about the tremelo arm spring....and it has always bothered me. thank you! now i need to find one that fits. as far as dampening the tremelo block springs, well i think those springs are (a small)part of the magic of the strat tone...

    • @1958marky
      @1958marky 4 года назад

      Fender offers them in a 5 pack and you can get them on Ebay for about 8 bucks --- handy little spring and does just what it's supposed to...

  • @steby123
    @steby123 7 лет назад

    I'v used those tricks for years at the old music store, so yes they all work very well.

  • @erickirwan6432
    @erickirwan6432 2 года назад

    4:41 I was having this exact issue with my Strat springs. Thanks for the tip!

  • @stevehogan8829
    @stevehogan8829 7 лет назад +3

    Yep, this one deserves a million hits. I wonder how many people didn't know about the spring. I didn't.

    • @johnvcougar
      @johnvcougar 3 года назад

      I won't do it. Not ever. Nothing new here, but then I'm an old coot, lol!

    • @travisguide4516
      @travisguide4516 3 года назад

      It took me a long time to figure out what that terrible ringing was I kept thinking cheap saddles but eventually I did figure it out with foam behind all three springs small foam not too crazy

  • @loudguitar
    @loudguitar 8 лет назад +17

    I like the trem spring vibration. It's like a "reverb" in the guitar and part of the sound of the guitar.

    • @derekbiggerstaff
      @derekbiggerstaff 8 лет назад +2

      +Randy McRae You dampen the springs and to my ears it's not a strat any more.

    • @rictube4716
      @rictube4716 8 лет назад +1

      Agreed, the springs are a part of the whole sound.

    • @zoomosis
      @zoomosis 8 лет назад +2

      +Randy McRae I'm not sure how much the trem springs can influence the overall tone electrically, given how far the trem springs are from the pickups.
      I'm not really a fan of the ringing sound they put out acoustically, so I prefer to dampen them on most of my guitars. Each to their own, though!

    • @loudguitar
      @loudguitar 8 лет назад +3

      +zoomosis It's not an electronic influence. It's acoustic, and you can hear it both plugged and unplugged. I feel it's part of the sound of the guitar. I am blessed with a Strings and Things Custom Blues King III that I have had since 1984. The best "Strat" I have ever owned. It is relatively light, ash, and has almost an acoustic vibe to it. I have always kept the bridge tight against the body, never using the trem. The "spring ring" is like a built in reverb and I like it.

    • @merkn247
      @merkn247 6 лет назад

      jonas brave this is true no two electrics ever sound completely alike

  • @LawrieFamily
    @LawrieFamily 3 года назад

    Mr. McKnight...one of the most random but helpful nuggets of info ever thx Bro!

  • @bcoll1082
    @bcoll1082 5 лет назад +1

    I have always had the issue of turning down the volume. I remove a tone, move the volume down, and run one master tone as I never use both together anyway. I set the trem to the body, use 5 springs, and run the trem spring claw right in close. Afterwards I do a complete setup with 11's and my strats are killer to me. I get perfect intonation and the sweetest tone (to my ears). I give the tone's credit to heavier strings, not using a pick, and EMG SA pups. Not crazy about the battery part of having actives, BUT they make for great noise free output, and and the tone is amazing. I highly recommend trying them.

  • @worldmenders
    @worldmenders 8 лет назад +4

    Rubber "O" rings, from your local hardware store, are much more durable for adding friction to the volume knob.

    • @oneofthemodels
      @oneofthemodels 5 лет назад

      Bingo that's a great idea those won't wear out quick!!

  • @menofsticks
    @menofsticks 7 лет назад +164

    I'm not putting foam in my springs. That's my reverb tank!

    • @bachrocktheamericahatersan5799
      @bachrocktheamericahatersan5799 7 лет назад +4

      Yeah, I never had an issue with that either but I can see where it might come in handy for other players. To each their own, eh?

    • @RiffLair
      @RiffLair 7 лет назад +2

      Haha,, yep...

    • @hairyoldhippy
      @hairyoldhippy 7 лет назад +13

      Absolutely! It’s not commonly appreciated that the springs add resonance, albeit an accident of design.

    • @justinngariki
      @justinngariki 7 лет назад +6

      Yep. I block the trem but keep the springs. I also leave the cover plate off so I can "play" them (add some reverb and hit 'em hard, it gives an ungodly great krangggggg). Sounds totally different to a hard tail strat.

    • @MatthewDRocks
      @MatthewDRocks 7 лет назад +19

      Same here Justin, blocked trem w/ springs. I don't know if it makes a difference or not but I feel cool saying it and makes people around me think that I know something about guitars, which of course I don't. At all.

  • @BrianJohnson-cj8xf
    @BrianJohnson-cj8xf 3 года назад

    Not 30 minutes ago I was playing and I am hearing crackling ... I watch this and you go BOOM STATIC GUARD .... Thank You Phil ... Your a Guitar God !!!!

  • @buddhistpriest1357
    @buddhistpriest1357 5 лет назад +1

    It never ceases to amaze me of all the things you can do with a pool noodle.
    You might want to hold off on #5 if you're an Adrian Belew fan and wanna do pinky volume swells with delay.