Hello, I have a Freeway myself. Also has a 6-point trem. There are some great videos on youtube showing how to float a tremolo and stay in tune (especially by this guy Frudua). One misapprehension people have is that the bridge pivots on the screws. I though so too until recently. Actually, there is a bevel on the bottom of the plate, and that is the pivoting point. The screws (all of them) just keep the bridge in place. So, to get the best performance, you have to raise all the screws so they don’t touch the plate. Try it and tell me what you think 😉
Another thing since you’ll have the trem off – look at the machining of said bevel on the front on the baseplate. Sometimes it’s rough or sloppily done. This surface is what moves against the body, so it makes sense (to me) that it should be smooth as glass.
If yours needs dressing, lay some fine sandpaper on a table and with the trem plate upright (remove the block) draw it towards you while gradually raising the back edge of the plate to accommodate the curve and get it nice and “slickery”.
Also it’s a misconception that raising the four center screws makes it pivot on only the outer screws. Think about it. Why would the height of a screwmake it lose contact with the hole? If the screw is there, its contacting the front edge of the hole! Lol
Removing a couple screws helps though. I just don’t think it helps “that” much, so I use all 6 for the best coupling.
Hi, I have Godin SD as well and I’m planning on setup it’s tremolo)
Do you know any locking tuners that will fit better for it?
What kind of a tremolo arm should I order? (I bought a used item and it’s without one)
Thank you)
Hi Anton. Sorry I don’t know of any better tuners. These Sperzels work well, it’s just that more height would fit better. Armed with this knowledge (that the Godin’s headstock is slightly thicker than a standard Strat) you may be able to find something better. Not sure about tremolo arms either, my Godin’s one is stock. The one on my Strat was too tight a fit and my local guitar shop tech was able to make me a new one to fit it for very little money as part of a setup so maybe see if you can find a local tech to help you out. Good luck! 🙂
I have a Freeway Classic that’s the same color as the SD here. I just took it to the shop to have the tremolo floated, and to add Schaller locking tuners. I also swapped out all the pick-ups, with a Lace Holy Grail replacing the single coil, a Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates at the neck and a Seymour Duncan TB-14 at the bridge…
Hello, I have a Freeway myself. Also has a 6-point trem. There are some great videos on youtube showing how to float a tremolo and stay in tune (especially by this guy Frudua). One misapprehension people have is that the bridge pivots on the screws. I though so too until recently. Actually, there is a bevel on the bottom of the plate, and that is the pivoting point. The screws (all of them) just keep the bridge in place. So, to get the best performance, you have to raise all the screws so they don’t touch the plate. Try it and tell me what you think 😉
Thanks Davorin, that makes sense – I’ll give setting it up a go next time the strings are off 🙂
Another thing since you’ll have the trem off – look at the machining of said bevel on the front on the baseplate. Sometimes it’s rough or sloppily done. This surface is what moves against the body, so it makes sense (to me) that it should be smooth as glass.
If yours needs dressing, lay some fine sandpaper on a table and with the trem plate upright (remove the block) draw it towards you while gradually raising the back edge of the plate to accommodate the curve and get it nice and “slickery”.
Also it’s a misconception that raising the four center screws makes it pivot on only the outer screws. Think about it. Why would the height of a screwmake it lose contact with the hole? If the screw is there, its contacting the front edge of the hole! Lol
Removing a couple screws helps though. I just don’t think it helps “that” much, so I use all 6 for the best coupling.
Cheers! Bob
Hi, I have Godin SD as well and I’m planning on setup it’s tremolo)
Do you know any locking tuners that will fit better for it?
What kind of a tremolo arm should I order? (I bought a used item and it’s without one)
Thank you)
Hi Anton. Sorry I don’t know of any better tuners. These Sperzels work well, it’s just that more height would fit better. Armed with this knowledge (that the Godin’s headstock is slightly thicker than a standard Strat) you may be able to find something better. Not sure about tremolo arms either, my Godin’s one is stock. The one on my Strat was too tight a fit and my local guitar shop tech was able to make me a new one to fit it for very little money as part of a setup so maybe see if you can find a local tech to help you out. Good luck! 🙂
You can still get Sperzels just make sure you get the ones that don’t have staggered posts.
They have the non staggered option available.
Nicely done
I have a Freeway Classic that’s the same color as the SD here. I just took it to the shop to have the tremolo floated, and to add Schaller locking tuners. I also swapped out all the pick-ups, with a Lace Holy Grail replacing the single coil, a Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates at the neck and a Seymour Duncan TB-14 at the bridge…