A question about tremolos and hardtails

[bill.spanburgh]

Could someone please explain the differences in tone, sustain and ability to hold tune between a strat with the factory tremolo and one with the factory hardtail bridge. Lets assume that the guitarist doesn't need, use or want a tremolo.

Thanks,
Bill

[overdriver]

Um not sure waht you are after. but a stab in the dark . If you don't need or use the trem, in general terms and IMO being a strat player that doen't use a trem and a tele player. And one that has in the past used the trem. IMO having the trem floating (not flush) can make them sound a little thinner but eq helps. sustain a little less ,nothing to write home about. With them locked flush they fatten up and bit sustain a little bit more.

A strat with hard tail IMO sounds a little different, again nothing to write home about . A little more percussive maybe. Ya see that steel block and springs in a trem equiped strat adds a different kinda reverbish type dimemtion to the tone and resonance that is lacking in a hardtail. Plus the cav. for the trem IMO imparts some more acoustic qualities.

Tring to choose between the 2? , gota go out and try em . Try as many strats as ya can no 2 of any model sound the same ,let alone 2 different models.

[overdriver]

Oh if you want a hardtail made by Fender IMO the Robert Cray is the one to get . Which one is up to your pocket book.

[captcoolaid]

Don't listen to over driver he don't know what he is talking about. Freakin strat guys. Oh shit I am one of those guys. Yeah add the spring to trem so it is locked on the body, if you have a trem you can still use it but you will get the better sustain from it being on the body and not floating.

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by captcoolaid

Don't listen to over driver he don't know what he is talking about. Freakin strat guys.

+1

[Grand Pappy in Chandler]

I agree w/ Over Driver. Robert Cray Artist series hard tail Strat (MIM) is the way to go.

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by Grand Pappy in Chandler

I agree w/ Over Driver. Robert Cray Artist series hard tail Strat (MIM) is the way to go.

Or a Baja Tele eh! say is jake approving , or just going to the bathroom?

[Z.K.]

Originally Posted by Grand Pappy in Chandler

I agree w/ Over Driver. Robert Cray Artist series hard tail Strat (MIM) is the way to go.

...or a Corgan strat if you're into high gain pickups. here's a couple of pics of mine; it has good sustain.

[Grand Pappy in Chandler]

Originally Posted by overdriver

Or a Baja Tele eh! say is jake approving , or just going to the bathroom?

You know I love the Baja, too!
Thankfully Baby Jake is well trained, very clean and neutered, so he's just scoping a nice soft cozy spot to nap!

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by Grand Pappy in Chandler

You know I love the Baja, too!
Thankfully Baby Jake is well trained, very clean and neutered, so he's just scoping a nice soft cozy spot to nap!

[Yogi]

Having both owned a Hardtail ( American Series in 3tsb, RW board ) and a few other American/Japanese/Mexican/Korean/Chinese Strats, I can defintely say there is something almost "Unstratty" about a Hardtail. It sounds definitely Fender, but the notes resonate differently. Not necessarily badly, but just different than normal. So I would advise you on this. Here is one Ebay like my old one

1998 Fender American Standard Stratocaster Hardtail - eBay (item 150379727977 end time Oct-18-09 15:31:52 PDT)

Personally I find no tuning stability problems by just putting 5 springs on and decking the trem. Thats what I do on my CV since I put a GFS block on my stock plate and can't use the trem. It stays in tune for days, and its just decked, not even blocked

[Yogi]

here's another one
Fender '57 Reissue Stratocaster Japan MIJ Hardtail - eBay (item 290359593354 end time Nov-12-09 19:21:55 PST)