Q: I just bought a Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster, and the tremolo bridge is pulled back tight against the guitar body. But on my Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster (I love Strats!), the tremolo bridge leans forward about 1/8″. Is one better than the other? Or, is one set up incorrectly?
A: Both are set up correctly, to factory specs. Most Stratocasters are set up with the bridge “floating” — meaning that it angles forward by 1/8″ to 3/16″. This allows the unit to move up and down so it can both raise and lower the string pitches.
The Eric Johnson model is spec’ed to have its bridge pulled tight against the body using five tension springs in the back of the guitar. Though this limits the bridge to only moving down and lowering the string pitches, Johnson feels that the contact between the bridge and the body increases the transfer of vibrations, improving sustain and tone.
Either guitar can be set up either way by simply adjusting the claw screws that hold the tension springs in the back of the guitar; try them both and see which you prefer.
