Rebound fix - replace foam pads with springs?

[Keebler]

As you may have seen from pictures of the Stratocaster's innards, the reason the strum bar is so mushy is because as you press it, the internal tabs on the strum bar start to press into a foam pad. The only return mechanism for the strum bar is a weak spring at the top of the strum bar to center it.

What if we were to keep the mushiness, but fix the no rebound by replacing these foam pads with tiny, high-tension springs? I think it would be MUCH more comfortable to strum and thumb-press. I'd like to see someone give this a try and give me their impressions.

[xlr8shun]

i thought about this while i was looking for ways to improve my responsiveness and springs in place of the pads (or even leaving the foam pads there to support the spring from bending when compressing). however i ruled this out because if you strum 'fully', meaning that if you push the strum as far up or down as it could possibly go, you would probably compress the spring so much that it would have no choice to pop out.

the tabs on the strumbar where the spring would go are sloped also, this i would think would only contribute to trying to pop the spring out of its location. but i might be willing to try if someone has any ideas on implementing this. to me, this would probably be one of the best solutions to add responsiveness unless you look at a complete redesign.

[Keebler]

If there is way to "guide" the spring (i.e. put a tiny rod in the middle of it, or connect it to the strum bar somehow), I think it could definitely work. It also depends on the spring used. If it's too weak, it will definitely pop out. A stronger one might do less moving around.

[wolfgang187]

I was nervous about doing it at 1st, but I completely removed both foam pads in my guitar. Thy can go back on just as easily as they came off. Anyway, I took the pads off and put rubber bands on either side. now when i strum its perfect, including the recovery.

[Keebler]

I was looking at how to set up rubber bands, but I couldn't find any screw casing close enough. And I didn't feel safe putting a tight rubber band around the thin white tabs on the strum bar - they'd probably break off in a second.

How did you put the rubber bands on?

[xlr8shun]

I was looking at how to set up rubber bands, but I couldn't find any screw casing close enough. And I didn't feel safe putting a tight rubber band around the thin white tabs on the strum bar - they'd probably break off in a second.

How did you put the rubber bands on?

sry keebler, hard to keep up with the forums sometimes, they go so quick.

as for where i put the rubber bands, take a look at this thread

http://community.rockband.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=9609

i wrapped them around the tabs on the strum bar, there are also some other suggestions in that thread of people putting them on different things with different results.

hope that helps