Some observations from a relatively new player

[dave robinson]

Hi Rosemary, I haven't had any experience with the Squier Bullet Strat, but if set up correctly it should do the job and give the Fender tone we all recognise. You can't damage the guitar by making necessary adjustments to the bridge to allow the trem to 'float', so go ahead and loosen the springs a few turns and it will make a world of difference to you pleasure.

[David Martin]

Hi Rosemary!

I'm delighted to see what has blossomed from our initial "concert" contact... You're doing so well!

The Burns sound? Here are some tips - but bear in mind that there are always notable exceptions...

1) If you have an effects unit, make a Burns patch... And use the following recipe (you can do it on your amp instead if you have the controls...

2) Tone: middle right off, bass right up, treble till the bridge pickup bites you (example, Atlantis)

3) Don't use echo, use a little reverb, but not much.

4) Add some compression - again, not much.

5) Use mainly the neck pickup, or sometimes, neck and middle. (Notable exception Chattanooga ... Which has echo too! )

6) A quick check? Using the neck pickup, play the opening phrase to It's Been a Blue Day and amend your settings accordingly.

7) You don't need a Burns Marvin to get the sound, but the aluminium hardware on the Burns bridge/trem does make a difference in comparison to the Strat steel...

Let me know how you get on...

[Rosemary]

Hi Dave and David
Dave, Thanks. Unfortunately I ran out of time to do too much when away but adjusted the trem slightly on the Squier and will try to set it up better next visit. I'm currently getting my USA Strat here set up professionally for the first time and am looking forward to hearing how it plays next week.

David, Thanks very much for those Burns settings. Recently I started playing around with editing the sounds on my Zoom unit so have a spare patch just waiting to go and will try your settings very soon and am very excited about this. I play a couple of Burns songs that I'd love to try out. Thanks again!

Best wishes
Rosemary