Hipshot Tremolo

I bought one of these years ago for an import Fender, and it didn't fit. So I put it in a drawer and saved it. Several years later I got a deal on a Fender American Series Strat, so I swapped out the stock trem for the HipShot that I already had and all I can say is WOW! This trem is the smoothest one made - period. Feels like a Bigsby, but with much more travel. I added a GraphTech nut and Fender locking tuners and now this Strat rivals a Floyd-equipped guitar in tuning stability.

If you want a tremolo on your Strat that you can actually use, in both directions, this is one to get. You will no be disappointed. It will open up new playing techniques for you.

The hipshot tremolo was installed in a semi solid 3 pickup guitar of my own design loosely based around a LP special outline. The tremolo works very smoothly and is set up with the baseplate parallel to the guitar top and about 4 mm above. It has equal down and upbend approx and is about the best tremolo I've used so far. The studs looked a bit thin to me so I've placed 3 washers on the allen bolt posts so that I tighten down on the metal stud which I think should add stability to the post. This is probably unnecessary but I felt happier with this arrangement.

The tremolo comes with photocopy diagrams and dimensions but I found the what I believe to be a template for positioning the studs was in fact different dimensions to those shown on the diagram. My guess is that the photocopy template has become distorted so it's worth checking before drilling holes.

I bought a chromed one for my "strat", together with a tobacco-burst body and pearloid plate, all from Stewmac.
I like the classic-modern look (no annoying looking screws everywhere...), specially the "U" massive saddles. I love them!
It match well with the Grover mini-locking Rotomatics on the other edge of the axe. The trem springs are really tight! I only needed 2 to equilibrate a 0.010-0.046 strings set!!

Once all in place and balanced, the operation is quite smooth.
Good product!

I installed this on a strat I build from USACG parts approx 2 years ago. This bridge was easy to install, set-up, and has been remarkably stable. Can't praise it enough. I'd definitely recommend it.

This is the smoothest pivoting tremolo on the market.