Strat trem setup

[JonnyScaramanga]

The trem on my Strat is stiff as all hell. If I want to do a divebomb, I can't just push it with my fingers as a normal person would. I put the heel of my hand on the bar, and make the following noise:
"NNNNNNNNNNNNNNUUUUUUGGGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!"

Then I can just about move the bar.

It's the vintage type with six screws. Well it was, until I changed it for a Wilkinson one which is supposedly more efficient, but actually sounds the same and has the same tuning stability. It does have a shorter tremolo arm though, which obviously isn't helping the amount of leverage I have. I'm wondering if I can get a longer wang bar (fnar).

I have three springs on it currently, and it's strung with 10s.

So I have two questions:

1) How can I tell when the six trem mounting screws are at the correct tension?

and

2) How can I make the trem not feel as though the springs are made of granite?

[Niallmo]

How many springs in the back?
What string gauge?
Are the screws on the front screwed all the way don or raised slightly so you can see the thread?

[imported_timmyo]

Originally Posted by JonnyScaramanga

So I have two questions:

1) How can I tell when the six trem mounting screws are at the correct tension?

and

2) How can I make the trem not feel as though the springs are made of granite?

From http://www.fender.com/support/stratocaster.php as a starting point:

For a vintage-style tremolo bridge, a great way to enhance its performance is to pull the bridge back flush with the body using the tremolo arm. Then loosen all six screws located at the front edge of the bridge plate, raising them so that they all measure approximately 1/16" (1.6 mm) above the top of the bridge plate. Then tighten the two outside screws back down until they're flush with the top of the bridge plate. The bridge will now pivot on the outside screws, leaving the four inside screws in place for bridge stability.

[stringsthings]

..... may want to go to a lighter gauge of string .... that would lighten the tension requirement on the springs ....

[frankus]

Scott Henderson has a fair bit to say on the subject.

[Gojirosan]

Originally Posted by frankus

Scott Henderson has a fair bit to say on the subject.

Hopefully including the sentence, "Don't try to divebomb with a vintage style vibrato system...or indeed any vibrato system."

[mattbanshee]

Have you tried throwing out your Les Pauls, see if that helps?

[frankus]

Originally Posted by Gojirosan

Hopefully including the sentence, "Don't try to divebomb with a vintage style vinrato system...or indeed any vibrato system."

He doesn't say it implicitly but seeing as he uses his trem like most people use a bigsby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD8b63w65eU

I think he just provides a good role model to kids goofing around with farty noises

[JonnyScaramanga]

Thanks in particular to Goji and mattbanshee for answers that were frankly epic in their helpfulness.

I know what a Strat trem is supposed to be capable of, because I went through a brief Jeff Beck phase and set my other Strat up to do that stuff. This guitar is just way too stiff by comparison.

EDIT: Thanks for the Fender tips Tim. I've seen that, but I don't think it applies to me, because I have a Wilkinson WV6. All the screw holes on the front of the bridge (bar one which acts as a locator) are enlarged to stop the screws causing drag.

[Gojirosan]

Originally Posted by JonnyScaramanga

Thanks in particular to Goji and mattbanshee for answers that were frankly epic in their helpfulness.

You're welcome. It's what I do.