Stratocaster Tremelo Spring Patterns

[overdrive]

Appreciate some clarification here...when looking at the rear trem cavity of a Stratocaster, we have all seen a variety of spring patterns...usually 5 in a line, 3 in a line, the 'V' (3 spring) pattern on the newer 2 point bridges, & occasionally a single spring serving as a ground conductor if the trem is blocked.

My question(s)...is the number of springs & choice of spring pattern primarily based on individual trem arm tension preferences and/or does it also have something to do with maintaining accurate pitch?

Lastly, I have heard that the black Fender trem springs have less inherent tension than the silver ones...is this correct?

[voodoochild]

Appreciate some clarification here...when looking at the rear trem cavity of a Stratocaster, we have all seen a variety of spring patterns...usually 5 in a line, 3 in a line, the 'V' (3 spring) pattern on the newer 2 point bridges, & occasionally a single spring serving as a ground conductor if the trem is blocked.

My question(s)...is the number of springs & choice of spring pattern primarily based on individual trem arm tension preferences and/or does it also have something to do with maintaining accurate pitch?

Lastly, I have heard that the black Fender trem springs have less inherent tension than the silver ones...is this correct?

I personally change spring patterns, quantities, types, etc soley based on feel or tension. I do not believe any of this has an affect on accurate pitch just feel.

[overdrive]

That's what I suspected in terms of how many springs to use...so basically, that 3 spring V shape pattern used on the newer Stratocasters has nothing to do with maintaining accurate pitch, just the manufacturer being 'cost-effective'. Like why use 5 springs when you can easily get by with two less & nobody (other than myself) will question it anyway. Gotta love those MBA bean-counters & their penny-pinching impact(s) on the production process.

[voodoochild]

I forgot to mention old springs and even cheap springs can affect accurate pitch but other than that no.

[movek1]

i think the amount of springs do affect the tension, when a customer wants a tight bridge almost fixed, ill put as many srings as i can get in there, and if they want a nice loose trem, where they can divebomb freely, ill put 2 to 3 springs usually straight.
I think pitch and accuracy comes down to the adjustment of the claw that the springs are attached to

[David Schwab]

Like why use 5 springs when you can easily get by with two less & nobody (other than myself) will question it anyway. Gotta love those MBA bean-counters & their penny-pinching impact(s) on the production process.

Because 50 years ago people used heavy gauge flatwound strings on their guitars, so you needed the 5 springs to counter the string tension.

But 5 springs is too stiff for today's light gauge strings, and people use their vibratos differently now.

This is the same reason why Strat pickups have staggered magnets with the G higher and the B lower. That worked for the strings use back then, but not with modern strings.

[voodoochild]

The only times I use 5 springs are for those who want to be like SRV with 12's or if someone needs the tremolo locked down. Other than that I usually set up the tremolo with 3. Backplates can be problematic with accurate pitch. They contact the springs on many strats which causes tuning problems.