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Post subject: Tuning Problem
Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2016 6:22 pm
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Hi everyone.
I just joined and wondered if someone can help me out.
I just took all the strings off at one time on my 1999 SRV Signature Strat and with the new strings on I can't seem to get it to tune. I tried blocking the tremolo and the strings are still too close to the frets.
I am somewhat new to a Strat like this so any help is appreciated.
I do have a Carvin DC127 with a Floyd-Rose so I am familiar with floating trems but this has me baffled.
The strings I put on it are D'Addario XL 10's so I am wondering if the spring adjustment screws need to be moved or what. I did remove the neck to see the year of manufacture as I had forgotten what year it was (I bought it on eBay) but I don't think that is the problem as I did not see any shim under the neck.

Thanks

Mike


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 12:23 am
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MichaelVanBuskirk wrote:
I just took all the strings off at one time (...)
with the new strings on I can't seem to get it to tune.
I tried blocking the tremolo and the strings are still too close to the frets.
(...) I did remove the neck


Well, you've messed up the setup with those procedures.
Start from scratch, follow the instructions (in the specific order given) of the Stratocaster Setup Guide, and you'll get there.
Another choice is to take it to a pro for a setup - that's usually money well spent.

Specifically on the "can't get it in tune" issue (although I don't think this is the only thing wrong here); your Carvin has locking tuning machines, the SRV doesn't. Many tuning problems are related to how the strings are wound on the posts, so are you sure your strings don't slip?


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 12:58 am
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Welcome to the forum.

If you forget what age the guitar is again the serial number is a more convenient route (and potentially less damaging) than dismantling the guitar.

Change anything on a Strat and they can take a time for tuning to settle. They aren't a great guitar if you are constantly changing the tunings.

While 10's aren't massive they are still larger than the guitar was shipped with and if the previous owner has used 9s or 8s for a time it could be the 10's are catching in the nut.

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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 2:13 am
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MichaelVanBuskirk wrote:

I just took all the strings off at one time on my 1999 SRV Signature Strat and with the new strings

Mike



1- Never, never do that on a guitar with a tremolo. And any guitars.
2- Change string one by one.
3- Guitar set up guide don't tell all, but you must follow the step by step.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 7:43 am
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stratele52 wrote:

1- Never, never do that on a guitar with a tremolo. And any guitars.
2- Change string one by one.
3- Guitar set up guide don't tell all, but you must follow the step by step.


That's a bit over dramatic, don't you think?
I take all the strings off first when I restring any of the guitars here.
It's useful to be able to see the state of the frets and fingerboard without having to pull the strings aside.
I don't have tuning issues with any guitar, including the ones with tremolos.

The neck/truss rod not liking all the strings being removed is nothing but an old wife's tale.

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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 7:44 am
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John Sims wrote:
While 10's aren't massive they are still larger than the guitar was shipped with and if the previous owner has used 9s or 8s for a time it could be the 10's are catching in the nut.


The SRV model ships with 10's

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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 7:51 am
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Thanks for the responses guys.
Yes I know taking off all the strings on a tremolo is a PITA sometimes especially with a Floyd-Rose.
I will have to set it up all over I guess.
I need to become more familiar with Strats anyhow as I haven't owned one in over 30 years.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 8:14 am
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stratmangler wrote:
stratele52 wrote:

1- Never, never do that on a guitar with a tremolo. And any guitars.
2- Change string one by one.
3- Guitar set up guide don't tell all, but you must follow the step by step.


That's a bit over dramatic, don't you think?
I take all the strings off first when I restring any of the guitars here.
It's useful to be able to see the state of the frets and fingerboard without having to pull the strings aside.
I don't have tuning issues with any guitar, including the ones with tremolos.

The neck/truss rod not liking all the strings being removed is nothing but an old wife's tale.



Why you have problem with your strat. ?

On many guitars you may have no problem with neck relief or bridge, on some guitars yes.
If you change one string at time you'll never had problem. it is up yo you.

No it is not dramatic !


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 9:50 am
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stratmangler wrote:
John Sims wrote:
While 10's aren't massive they are still larger than the guitar was shipped with and if the previous owner has used 9s or 8s for a time it could be the 10's are catching in the nut.


The SRV model ships with 10's


Just testing ;-)

I take all the strings off all of my guitars to restring them - not all the guitars at the same time obviously. Cleaning the fretboard (and oiling if appropriate) is a right pain otherwise.

I accept there will be about a day where tuning will be required more frequently as the strings are stretching, slipping and tightening up and everything is finding its equilibrium. After that I don't have an issue.

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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 11:06 am
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John Sims wrote:
Just testing ;-)


Nobody asleep on duty here :)

John Sims wrote:
I take all the strings off all of my guitars to restring them - not all the guitars at the same time obviously. Cleaning the fretboard (and oiling if appropriate) is a right pain otherwise.

I accept there will be about a day where tuning will be required more frequently as the strings are stretching, slipping and tightening up and everything is finding its equilibrium. After that I don't have an issue.


The only guitar that we've had proper tuning issues with is my son's Les Paul Junior.
That required two things to sort it out.
First off a pair of Tone Pros locking studs to keep the wrap around bridge in place - the Tone Pros stuff is better considered and made than the crappy old tat that Gibson inflict on their customers.
Second off was an application of Nut Sauce in the nut.

After fitting new strings and stretching them out the guitar has become very stable in its tuning, and with a dirt pedal kicked in there is a whole host of delightful overtones as the guitar breaks into singing feedback.
The LPJ sounds every inch of a serious instrument.

Moving onto the Strats here - 2 of them have locking tuners, so they can be strung and tuned in a very short period of time, and they're both very quick to settle with their tuning.
The third Strat (my son's 60s Lacquer Strat) has vintage style tuners, so there's all the string end down the hole business to contend with, but once done it doesn't take long to stretch, retune and stabilise the strings.
All three guitars are extremely stable under moderate whammy use, and it's only if you indulge in some dive bomb antics that things can slip.
Nut Sauce or similar at the friction points at the nut and the string trees is invaluable.

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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 5:54 pm
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This is a set up issue not tuning really so I should have reworded it before I posted it.
What's weird is if I raise the tremolo unit the strings are still basically touching the frets.
I don't see where changing strings would cause the height of the bridge saddles to differ?
Where it's at now it won't even change pitch as you finger the frets.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 7:43 pm
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I have never once in my life changed my strings one at a time.
I have always pulled all the strings off at once.
I use the stringless condition of the guitar as an opportunity to clean and inspect.
It really is quite handy.
People should try it more often.
It's a great thing, not a bad thing.
Virtually none of the troubles I'm supposed to have encountered because of my reckless ways have ever come up.
Ever.
Not even once.
Yes, I've had people caution me that time is not on my side and that something is going to happen eventually.
Well, you know what?
I've been restringing my own guitars for over 45 years.
If (and that's a really, really big if) something ever does happen and I need to tweak something because I took the strings off and it costs me a couple minutes? ... then just think of all the time and trouble I have saved myself over the years compared to the one-at-a-time method.
Think of all the preventive maintenance I was able to do that doesn't get done the other way.

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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 9:00 pm
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Since I removed the neck I am guessing that the truss rod is what needs adjusting to bring the strings up?


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2016 12:13 am
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No, the truss rod is there to control relief = the straightness/curvature of the neck.
Action (=string height) is controlled by bridge saddles.

If you loosened the truss rod at some point, it should be retightened. If not, it's probably close to what it should be - check the relief as in the setup guide.

If the strings lay on the frets in any trem position, your neck angle may be totally off.

But in any case, the guitar needs a full check & setup. At this point, I'd recommend using a pro for the job.

BTW, to other posters: I wasn't taking sides on the one string at a time/all strings at once debate in my first post, just making a conclusion in this case. Here's a Fender video on string change, notice the subtle use of wire cutters :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2016 6:13 am
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So help me understand this, how does the neck become out of whack from just having been removed and reinstalled?
It is held on with four screws and there was no shim in it so how does it get off so much?


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