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Post subject: Squire tuning issues
Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 12:38 am
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Hello New forum member here. (And complete beginner on guitar). I have a 99 Squire Strat which I just replaced the orig strings on. It tunes ok until I around 4th or 5th string then the bridge raises from the tension and it dives out of tune. (Bridge has all its springs). The only guess I have is that I used a heavy gauge string set and its too much tension. I'd hate to think these are built that lame, so I'd appreciate hearing other ideas. Thanks!


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Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 12:57 am
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Welcome to the Forum.

Your guitar needs a complete setup. You can pay to have it done or you can attempt to do it yourself using this guide: http://www.fender.com/support/stratocas ... _guide.php

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Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 7:47 am
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Make sure you're not tuning them to the wrong pitch, then if you're using all 5 springs already in the trem, you will need to adjust the trem's spring claw. remove the back cover, and if there is any visible thread left on the screws on the claw looking thing, tighten those up, and that should help your issue. If you are using less than 5 springs, you may just need to get an extra spring or 2...

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Post subject: Re: Squire tuning issues
Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 3:35 pm
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hans2112 wrote:
Hello New forum member here. (And complete beginner on guitar). I have a 99 Squire Strat which I just replaced the orig strings on. It tunes ok until I around 4th or 5th string then the bridge raises from the tension and it dives out of tune. (Bridge has all its springs). The only guess I have is that I used a heavy gauge string set and its too much tension. I'd hate to think these are built that lame, so I'd appreciate hearing other ideas. Thanks!


You would have to have used the same guage and brand of strings in order not to have to do another basic set-up. It really depends on how you want your guitar set-up but if you go to the link below, it will give you general instructions. Don't forget to adjust the trem claw located in the tremolo cavity if you prefer a flush tremolo.

http://www.fender.com/support/stratocas ... _guide.php

Hope this helps a little. If you are not inclined to do it yourself, I recommend taking it to a music shop that is an Authorized Fender Repair place. Explain to them what you want.

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Post subject: Re: Squire tuning issues
Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 9:23 am
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hans2112 wrote:
Hello New forum member here. (And complete beginner on guitar). I have a 99 Squire Strat which I just replaced the orig strings on. It tunes ok until I around 4th or 5th string then the bridge raises from the tension and it dives out of tune. (Bridge has all its springs). The only guess I have is that I used a heavy gauge string set and its too much tension. I'd hate to think these are built that lame, so I'd appreciate hearing other ideas. Thanks!


Ok...the first thing that you need to realize with a Strat...any Strat regardless of whether it's a $100 Squier Bullet or a $1000 American Standard is that it's a Strat. If you're used to something like a Les Paul or a PRS or even an acoustic, a Strat is a very different animal because it has a tremolo (and typically a non-locking trem!). In other words, to quote the author T.S. Elliot, "a cat is -NOT- a dog".

Now with that I would reiterate the other comments here in that first and foremost you probably need a good setup. Unfortunately the sad truth is that most guitar shops simply don't do setups on brand new guitars any more...especially inexpensive ones. The come in the door, come out of the box and go straight up on the rack. If you purchased the guitar online or from a catalog, this goes double. Yes, these guitars are set up at the factory but you need to remember that after that happens, the guitar may sit in a warehouse for a while until it get's shipped...then it get's knocked and banged around in shipping where it may sit in another warehouse until it get's shipped again, getting knocked around again, etc., etc., until it finally finds it's way to the sales room floor. If you look around on these forums you'll see that most people will suggest new strings and a good setup for even a brand new instrument.

Now second to that, you say that you put new strings on...did you use the same gauge or did you use something heavier? As rk suggested there, if you went with heavier strings, you are (again) absolutely going to need a full setup...heavier strings mean more tension and that extra tension will need to be compensated for! Tightening the spring claw will help but you may even need a slight truss rod adjustment. This is no reflection on Fender or Squier "quality", again it's simply the nature of the beast.

Now a lot of us more "seasoned" player do tend to do our own setups...particularly if you have multiple instruments, it's certainly something that's well worth learning. However since you said that you are a newbie at guitar in general, I would strongly suggest taking it in to a good, qualified guitar shop and having a full proper setup done. A proper setup makes a HUGE difference...period.

Now with that, I also have to say that tuning a Strat isn't quite like tuning other guitars. First, (assuming the setup is correct) when you put new strings on you do need to -stretch them-. If you don't stretch the strings, you -will- have tuning issues! This applies to -any- guitar with a trem. Typically I'll put new strings on, get them "kind of, almost, sort of" near pitch and then work the crap out of the trem bar for a minute or two. Second, do NOT expect to get the tuning down all in "one pass". Again, you're dealing with a trem here...after you've tuned the low E string, as you start to tune the A and D strings, you're adding tension to those strings which in turn reduces the tension on the low E...in other words, as you bring the A and D (and other strings) up to pitch, the low E -will- go flat. Please understand that this is -NOT- an indication of anything being wrong with the guitar...that's how it's supposed to work! With a fresh set of strings, it usually takes me 5 to 10 minutes with a tuner to get the strings in tune...and I've been playing for close to 30 years! LOL!!! Seriously...start at the low E string then tune the A, D, G, B and high E strings...then start over. With new strings you may need to make as many as 8 or 10 passes or more before it's right. It's like the old joke about the blond taking 2 days to wash her hair....lather, rinse, repeat.

There are a number of other things I/we can suggest too, but I'd start there first...if you're still having problems afterward, come back and we can make some more suggestions for you (Strats can be peculiar beasts but lots of us have a good many tricks and tips up our sleeves!).

Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Jim


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