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Post subject: Locking tuners question
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:26 pm
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I am having an issue getting my guitar in tune with locking tuners. The bridge on my strat keeps pulling foward like I was using the trem bar. All of the strings keep going flat, what am I doing wrong ?


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Post subject: Re: Locking tuners question
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 1:16 pm
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Nothing to do with locking tuners

Tremolo springs need more tension. Did you change strings gauge by more heavy ?
Or in other words , guitar need a complete set up .


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Post subject: Re: Locking tuners question
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 2:52 pm
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Perhaps this is your first new string change with a floating trem?
As you tune the strings up to pitch all the other strings go a little flat because you're pulling the trem up.
After a half dozen or so stabs at it the thing will settle down a bit.
You'll still have to retune a few times as the strings themselves stretch out.

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Post subject: Re: Locking tuners question
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 3:03 pm
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stratele52 wrote:
Nothing to do with locking tuners

Tremolo springs need more tension. Did you change strings gauge by more heavy ?
Or in other words , guitar need a complete set up .
+1 on that stratele52 . . . and I have locking tuners. I moved up to 10 gauge from 9s and had a setup. All is okay. Stock setup comes with 3 springs. Make sure there are at least 3. :wink:
FSB

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Post subject: Re: Locking tuners question
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 3:37 pm
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Fender Strat Brat wrote:
stratele52 wrote:
Nothing to do with locking tuners

Tremolo springs need more tension. Did you change strings gauge by more heavy ?
Or in other words , guitar need a complete set up .
+1 on that stratele52 . . . and I have locking tuners. I moved up to 10 gauge from 9s and had a setup. All is okay. Stock setup comes with 3 springs. Make sure there are at least 3. :wink:
FSB
I finally went to 5 springs (like my 1st '66 Strat) and it's so much more stable (9-42). Still have an easy to use floating trem. I don't dive bomb. :)


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Post subject: Re: Locking tuners question
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 4:53 pm
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LawFlow wrote:
Fender Strat Brat wrote:
stratele52 wrote:
Nothing to do with locking tuners

Tremolo springs need more tension. Did you change strings gauge by more heavy ?
Or in other words , guitar need a complete set up .
+1 on that stratele52 . . . and I have locking tuners. I moved up to 10 gauge from 9s and had a setup. All is okay. Stock setup comes with 3 springs. Make sure there are at least 3. :wink:
FSB
I finally went to 5 springs (like my 1st '66 Strat) and it's so much more stable (9-42). Still have an easy to use floating trem. I don't dive bomb. :)
I can see that, LawFlow. Definitely personal preference.

There have been questions of preference when using 3 versus 4 or 5 springs. It has been said that the triangle arrangement versus straight can make a difference in that the tension is thought to be more uniform with straight where the triangular 3 springs tension on the ends gives way to some relaxing of the center spring in some trem positioning. Actually, there are those who prefer the action of the 3 spring triangular setup.

Others have said (more or less) that the springs affect tone. Uh oh! Nope! Not gonna start a tone war here. :lol: Some say the chamber as it fills with springs makes the sound reverb less, adds a fuller, while some say brighter tone while less springs are thought to be the opposite and more transparent. Questionable, but possible.

Claw positioning and setting can affect tuning and setup.

And how many springs to use for higher or lower gauge strings can differ like how long is a piece of string (no pun intended). Vintage Fender springs were said to be less robust. So it is possible that 5 springs of yesteryear could have been reduced with today’s stronger ones. Or to look at it another way 3 might not have been enough. :P YMMV.

FSB

You may have something there, BMW-KTM. Gainer58, you may know this, but if not, relax the tension on your strings, grab them one by one more or less half way up the fret board, and lift them up just enough to add a little tension. The idea is to manually stretch them. Repeat a couple of times and retune as normal. Also, check the friction on your string tree on the head of your neck, and nut, although these are unlikely the culprits, it is a good practice.

Good luck solving your issue.

Let us know what worked for you in the end. Thanks!

FSB

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Post subject: Re: Locking tuners question
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 6:58 pm
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Then there is the option of using 3 or 4 springs, but clustering 2 (or 3) into the top of the bridge/claw where they better balance the heavier gauge strings ;)

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Post subject: Re: Locking tuners question
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:18 pm
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CB91710 wrote:
Then there is the option of using 3 or 4 springs, but clustering 2 (or 3) into the top of the bridge/claw where they better balance the heavier gauge strings ;)
There ya go! Another option. Good one, Rich. Maybe, we need two good heavy duty springs, or a bunch of PaperMate little springs for fine tuning.:P
FSB

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Post subject: Re: Locking tuners question
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:54 pm
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Fender Strat Brat wrote:
CB91710 wrote:
Then there is the option of using 3 or 4 springs, but clustering 2 (or 3) into the top of the bridge/claw where they better balance the heavier gauge strings ;)
There ya go! Another option. Good one, Rich. Maybe, we need two good heavy duty springs, or a bunch of PaperMate little springs for fine tuning.:P
2 on top and 1 on the bottom isn't a bad idea if you use a Trem-Setter, or one of the Fu-Tone blocks... allows them to be mounted centered.
I kinda like the Fu-Tone blocks. Not such a deal for traditional Strat trems that can be set up flush to the body, but they are good for 2-pivot trem designs that don't allow for proper geometry when "blocked"

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