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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2016 10:35 am
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You mentioned blocking the trem in your first post.
I have to assume you blocked it in the 'decked' position.
That is to say, the plate is flat on the body.
Have you removed that blocking?
If you have not removed it, you will have to raise your saddles to compensate.
Decking the trem lowers the effective height of the saddles.
I'm not saying that's the only cause but it is likely a factor.
Another factor might be if you decided to tune the SRV a half step down like SRV did but the guitar was previously set up for standard tuning.
If the guitar was previously set up for half step down tuning before you began working on it, perhaps it was also strung with strings heavier than the 10s you used?

Those are just a couple of the variables that could be at play here.

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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2016 11:20 am
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@BMW-KTM, When I said blocked what I had done.was pulled the bridge up to around 1/8" as Fender recommends and then put pieces of popsicle stick in there to.keep it in that position as I had to do something similar with the Floyd-Rose on my Carvin. It obviously didn't do anything and I believe the truss needs to be loosened some to get it back to normal. That is what amother person told.me on another Strat forum.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2016 11:34 am
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So you haven't blocked your trem at all. What you have done is used a shim to establish a float height. This is fine.

Do not adjust your truss rod. You have already done more than you should have and could now be stumbling towards irreparable damage.

If the strings are touching the frets one or more of the following is happening:-

The saddles are too low
The nut grooves are too low
The neck is tilted backwards

My guess, because you removed the neck, is the latter is the main cause.

It is one thing to lash up a Squire but you are playing about with an expensive guitar and perhaps now would be a good time to take it to a professional.

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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2016 1:36 pm
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Ordinarily I am the kind of guy who likes to encourage people to learn to do their own setups.
I learned by trial and error and fortunately I never screwed anything up and became proficient at getting them just right.
This time however, I am forced to agree with John.
Not that I normally disagree with John, mind you.

I suggest you take it to a qualified guitar tech and have him (her) go over it from top to bottom.

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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2016 1:51 pm
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It would be a good idea to post a picture or two - I'm interested in seeing a how things are set at the front edge of the bridge plate.
With strings removed, and the springs pulled out of the trem block the bridge plate is intended to be sat flat on the body. That's the default starting point with a Fender Strat tremolo.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2016 2:01 pm
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Chris, I'll take some photos when I go home in about 3 hours. It's only 1 pm here in California.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2016 5:47 pm
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OK here are a few shots of the bridge.
I couldn't get the photos to show on here so here's the link

https://flic.kr/s/aHskGSrz2Q


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2016 6:11 pm
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So the bridge is, in fact, decked.
That could be part of the problem but it likely isn't all of it unless the action was REALLY low before you began tinkering with it.
The neck installation is likely the rest of the story.

Please don't adjust your truss rod until all other options are exhausted.
If the guitar was fine before the neck removal and you didn't touch the rod before reinstalling the neck then it didn't change and is very likely not the problem.

I suggest loosening all the strings and checking the neck plate screws for tightness.
They don't need to be incredibly tight but they should be good and snug.
You don't want to strip the wood by overtightening.
There is a certain amount of "feel" involved during tightening.

If the screws are tight then there must be something interfering with the proper seating of the neck in the pocket.
Another possibility is that there could have been a shim in the neck joint which you did not notice during disassembly.
It may have fallen out and landed somewhere out of your view.
If there is nothing obviously interfering with the seating of the neck in the pocket then you should take the guitar to a competent guitar tech and have it properly set up.
That may include installing a shim but without having the guitar in our hands there's no way to know for sure.

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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2016 6:20 pm
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Thanks BMW-KTM.
I removed the neck again and carefully lined it up and got all the screws back in and tightened them similar to lug nuts to make the pressure even. I restrung it and it's better now but I believe it needs the bridge saddles raised a bit as there is a lot of fret buzz or maybe that will go away when the tremolo is setup at the right height? I can actually tune it now so that is a big plus. 8)


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2016 3:52 pm
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The bridge plate looks to be sat just right for a decked tremolo.
It looks good for floating too - just loosen the springs to suit.
Looking at the shot from the bridge to the nut the action looks very, very low - you could do with raising the bridge saddles to correct it.
You might also benefit from getting and using some radius gauges - that way you could. accurately obtain the appropriate radius on the the action.

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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2016 1:41 pm
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I kinda figured it was the neck joint.
You also tinkered with the bridge and that will contribute to your issue.
Decking the bridge plate lowers the saddles slightly.
I'd say you're likely correct in assuming the saddles could be raised.
As for buzzing I wouldn't sweat it unless it's bad enough you can hear it through your amplifier.
Lots of guitars set up for low action buzz.
It's only a problem if you can hear it through the amp.

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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2016 2:30 pm
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BMW-KTM wrote:
You also tinkered with the bridge and that will contribute to your issue.


I didn't touch the bridge as far as doing any adjusting. I had only removed the neck and reassembled it.


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