Thoughts about string break angle at the bridge on a Strat?

[Tito83]

On a two point bridge, if I raise the bridge while lowering the saddles to keep string height the same, would the strings feel more slinky like the top wrapping on a tuneomatic?

 

[FuzzyAce]

On a two point bridge, if I raise the bridge while lowering the saddles to keep string height the same, would the strings feel more slinky like the top wrapping on a tuneomatic?

Not a 100% sure but the tension could increase based on the angle becoming steeper from the bottom of the bridge to the saddles -- then to the nut.

I added a simple illustration for how I'm thinking of this.

 

[DrewJD82]

FWIW, I've found adding about an 1/8th of a turn on the truss rod to introduce some relief giving about the same tension difference top-wrapping provides.

Going back to the bridge, how it's set up, floating or decked, will also have some play in the whole tension game. Not sure how the question in the OP would be affected either way in addition to a decked/floating trem. This is most certainly a good question for @Eagle

 

[Tito83]

Not a 100% sure but the tension could increase based on the angle becoming steeper from the bottom of the bridge to the saddles -- then to the nut.

I added a simple illustration for how I'm thinking of this.
View attachment 39109

I was something more like this. Tremolo block always staying straight, but with the saddles being lower, compensate for the string height at the pivots, raising the whole bridge keeping at the same angle to the body.

I actually tried it and funny enough something happened that got me by surprise. I lowered the saddles but 1/2 turn on every screw, raised the bridge to match string height and tuned it. The bridge was always floating, before it was straight to the body, but after doing this it got noticeably tilted in the direction of the springs. Same strings, same tuning, but the pull of the strings apparently decreased after changing the break angle - so it must have something there?

FWIW, I've found adding about an 1/8th of a turn on the truss rod to introduce some relief giving about the same tension difference top-wrapping provides.

Going back to the bridge, how it's set up, floating or decked, will also have some play in the whole tension game. Not sure how the question in the OP would be affected either way in addition to a decked/floating trem. This is most certainly a good question for @Eagle

Yeah, I've been very vocal with friends about small adjustments to the truss rod changing the feel. I'm always messing with it. Don't know if it's always a relief that's needed, but small changes IME really change how the guitar feels to play.

Problem is, if it's decked, you can't compensate for the lowered saddles lowering the string height. But with a 6 screws I think it's plausible that having the bridge raised a bit make the strings feel slinkier exactly because it tilts the saddle forward, so it also alleviates the break angle.

 

[FuzzyAce]

View attachment 39142

I was something more like this. Tremolo block always staying straight, but with the saddles being lower, compensate for the string height at the pivots, raising the whole bridge keeping at the same angle to the body.

I actually tried it and funny enough something happened that got me by surprise. I lowered the saddles but 1/2 turn on every screw, raised the bridge to match string height and tuned it. The bridge was always floating, before it was straight to the body, but after doing this it got noticeably tilted in the direction of the springs. Same strings, same tuning, but the pull of the strings apparently decreased after changing the break angle - so it must have something there?



Yeah, I've been very vocal with friends about small adjustments to the truss rod changing the feel. I'm always messing with it. Don't know with it's always a relief that's needed, but small changes IME really change how the guitar feels to play.

Problem is, if it's decked, you can't compensate for the lowered saddles lowering the string height. But with a 6 screws I think it's plausible that having the bridge raised a bit make the strings feel slinkier exactly because it tilts the saddle forward, so it also alleviates the break angle.

View attachment 39143

I was picturing in my head a decked trem, not floating. Thanks for clarifying though.