Disabling FenderTremolo Bridges

[needsmorecowbel]

Is it a bad idea to wedge a wooden block/(s) in the Bridge Control Cavity of a Fender to in effect fix the bridge in one position and stopping it from rocking (essentially making the whammy bar useless). What i am finding at the moment is that heavier gauge strings pull the bridge forward a bit too much for my liking and it doesn't hold its tuning for as long as it used to (the springs that pull the bridge down appear tensioned enough). I'm using D'Addarrio XL .012-.052. Perhaps the Springs just need a tighten?

[Tod Gilding]

How many springs do you have fitted ? 3 or 5 most players that I know use lighter strings 10's it is my guess that with 12's you may need the 5 springs if you don't already have them fitted, if you do have 5 fitted then I normally bring up it up to pitch and adjust the spring tension until I can just fit a credit card under the back of the bridge.
If you really want to block the trem cavity, that shouldn't be a problem as long as it is a good tight fit useing a hard wood and the bridge sits flat to the body.

[needsmorecowbel]

It's a 90s USA Strat and only has 3 springs and the gap is probably closer to 3 credit cards haha... so i might just lay off the string tension open up the back and chock away. Cheers Tod!

[Tod Gilding]

Cheers, my last Electric build was a strat with hardtail bridge, I find it stays in tune and sustains far better than other strats that I have played with a trem, so you may just be pleasantly surprised if you block it

[jeffhigh]

For 12's you will need 5 springs.
The springs are then tensioned so that the baseplate of the bridge is parallel to the top.
This gives you a floating setup, so you can use the tremelo to raise or lower notes.
If you want drop only, you can use a tremsetter which is basically an adjustable rod mounted under the springs in the back cavity which contacts the front of the "sustain Block" and stops it moving forward.
You then adjust the springs to give a positive stop.

[Matt Bach]

You can also get "heavier" springs too if 5 isn't enough to counteract the string pull.

[needsmorecowbel]

Thanks for the replies guys. Whammy bars are a very alien thing to me in my "music"