Adjusting tremolo post height

jaymenon

On a twin post tremolo like this one below, is it advisable to loosen the strings before adjusting the trem posts lower or higher? 

Expert advice most appreciated…

Boromedic

Absolutely yes, because if you do it with tension on the strings you'll wear either the knife edges or the posts and then it won't return to pitch as well.

maltingsaudio

@Boromedic is quite correct however I always do final adjustments ie just tweaks under tension , the amount of wear this might generate is negligible compared to a gigs worth of divebombing 

guitars4you

Boromedic said:

Absolutely yes, because if you do it with tension on the strings you'll wear either the knife edges or the posts and then it won't return to pitch as well.

agree - It should not really need adjusting from a factory set-up and once in its 'correct' position it should be fine, with regular height adjustments to be made via the saddles as normal - If you have the bridge posts to low, and the bridge plate running parallel to the body, you will find little, if any space, for 'up pitch' bends 

Again be careful if going to low, as based on that pic (and it might just be the angle of the pic) but the corner of the plate, on the low E side, near the posts, looks like it might catch on the corner of the recessed cavity 

jaymenon

Thanks guys