How do I adjust my Strat's tremolo bridge?

Question

I needed to tune it down to Drop D so I could play Bad Horsie by Steve Vai. I really need to use my tremolo here to raise the pitch of some notes, but I can't move it up since the bridge is flat on the body of my guitar.

I know I have to adjust it, but I have no idea how to do that.

Answer 1

Does your Strat even have the ability to do that? Some stock guitars that have a trem are only able to lower the pitch, they aren't able to raise the pitch.

If you can't pull the trem arm back, then you can't raise the pitch, no matter what kind've adjustment you do to the guitar.

Since I may be misunderstanding you, I suggest you take your guitar to a music store and ask them to do the adjustment for you - or even to check if it can be done at all. Since you own a guitar with a trem, you should be aware of how to maintain it, and you'll need to teach yourself how to do that in due time, but at this point I have a feeling you are confused about the trem itself, and the best way to diagnose the issue is a professional.

Saul

Answer 2

Open the back of your guitar completely.  Look and see if the trem block is screwed permanently down- if it is you can't do what you want.

Chances are the there will be 2-4 springs screwed into the guitar.  What you need to do is to tune the guitar to the drop D tuning, then loosen the screws.  Every time you loosen the screws your tuning is affected and you'll need to keep re-tuning your guitar.  Get it loose enough that you can both bend down (lowering pitch) but also so you can pull up (raising the pitch) the tremolo arm, maybe a 1/2 note?  That's up to you and the capabilities of your guitars setup.  This may be a good thing for a technician if you feel uncertain how to do it.