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Post subject: Tremolo issue
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 2:32 pm
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I have an American Deluxe Ash Strat with tremolo. When I first got it, I took the whammy bar off and screwed the springs in. Then for a long time, I didn't understand why it was so god damn hard to play, it was impossible to bend and slide and play faster solos. Now I screwed the springs loose again and found out that that's why it was so hard to play. But now the bugger just wont stay in tune. Every time I use the tremolo or bend it goes out of tune straight away. I'm really worried, it shouldn't suck that hard for the money I bought it (which was about 1900$). Any ideas?


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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 2:48 pm
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Take it in and have a set up done on it.

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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:04 pm
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But just out of curiosity, what would they do? I mean, there aren't many things you could change or repair there. You could probably switch the two springs, but the tighter the springs, the harder it is to play. It should stay in tune with the tremolo really loose, although I don't need it very often.


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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:06 pm
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^^ chet has the right idea. His is always found first on these questions. Maybe its the tuners or maybe it's just simply not set up right, and therefor you must take it to ye olde shop to have thy instrument repaired so that it shall shine its brightest.

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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:07 pm
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When the screws are tightened in, the action needs to be raised to compensate for the lowering that happens to the strings relative to the frets. Tightening the screws CAN be a good idea if you are looking for increased sustain, and a better, more accurate return to tuning after using the tremolo.

The thing that was making it hard to play quick licks and bend notes was due to the strings being too low after the tightening of the screws. The lower the string, the less bend you can put on it because it will contact the upper frets during some point in the bend. The best thing is to set the strings at a height that lets you bend the string as far as you can without breaking it, and still be low enough for good action.

There are a few things that can be done to help with accurate returns to "In Tune" when using a tremolo. If you search this forum, you will find a bunch of them, and most of them are jewels of wisdom from experienced strat players.

Taking it to a shop where there is an older experienced tech working and having him help with, or even do your setup for you is good advice ... BUT ... let me say that a really good tech will want you right there during the setup so you can try things out as he does them.

Another good piece of advice is to locate some players who have lots of experience with stratocasters, and pick their brain for advice on tremolo usage, etc.

Another thing. Except for the differences in where a strat is made (i.e., Mexico, Japan, USA) a strat is a strat is a strat. It makes no difference if it is a regular American model or a Deluxe, a Highway One, a Reissue, or even a signature model. They are basically all in the same family and all have very much identical characteristics. Some necks have a difference in the radius of the top of the finger board, but that is something that comes down to personal preference of an experienced player.

I have been playing strats since the mid fifties, and have "been there - done that" with about all the different models. Trying to help via a forum can be a futile endeavor .... but I try!

I hope this helps you.

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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:21 pm
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I thought that the worse playability was due to the pressure(?) the strings were under after tightening the screws. But I do think that the best idea would be taking it to a tech and being there while he works on the guitar. The only problem is that I bought it from another country. I could go there, or would any dealer help me with this?


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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:31 pm
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Any good REPUTABLE dealer and tech should be able to help. The key is his experience, and attitude toward the customer ... and/or artist.

The tightening of the screws should not make the guitar harder to play. Did you retune to A440 after you tightened them?

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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:44 pm
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I'm sorry, A440? I'm pretty new to the technical side of playing guitar.


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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:45 pm
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I had a pro setup done on mine and the luthier told be it came from the factory with the 6 screws cockeyed up and down and adjusted 'em.

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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:49 pm
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In ideal, it should stay the way it is right now, but without going out of tune. It only takes a few chords and bends and everything is messed up. I don't even need the tremolo that much. I would give it up, if it helped.


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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:56 pm
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A440 is the standard calibration tone for correct tuning of instruments in the Western world.

Most "A" tuning forks are tuned to A440. That means it is at 440 cycles per second audio frequency.

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POD X3 Live
PreSonus FSP
Studio One Pro

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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:03 pm
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So, basically, did I just tune it into standard E tuning? Yeah, of course. I have to re-tune it all the time, but it wont stay in tune. I don't even understand why it won't stay in tune. If I tighten the screws, it will stay in tune, but be too hard to play. It should work fine with any screw tightness, am I wrong? If it should, then there must be something just wrong with it.


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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:08 pm
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pfriik wrote:
In ideal, it should stay the way it is right now, but without going out of tune. It only takes a few chords and bends and everything is messed up. I don't even need the tremolo that much. I would give it up, if it helped.


There is a balance in a setup. And without that balance the guitar will not stay in tune when using the tremolo.
If you turn the 2 screws in the back of the guitar (The Claw Screws) you throw the whole guitar out of balance. If you tighten the screws you lengthen the strings (intonation) and lower the bridge which raises the saddles (string height) and change the amount of tension on the strings (neck relief).

So, I stick with my earlier recommendation to take the guitar and have a proper setup done on it.

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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:10 pm
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I would bet it is a setup problem. You also have to get used to the machine heads used on the Deluxe. If they are not tightened properly (I don't mean over tightened) then the guitar will have a tendency to go out of tune frequently. Also, the large round knobs on each tuning gear are locking for the tuning gear after tuning. The screws in the end should be just tight enough to not allow slipping. They make turning the gear a little harder, but hold better when tightened. Also, using graphite in each groove on the nut will make the string glide free when using the tremolo and will reduce the "Grabbing" of the string by the nut.

Proper intonation is always a must.

Don't give up on the Deluxe. I can say they are one hell of a nice strat because I own one, and have mine tweaked to near perfection ... but then again ... I have been playing these guitars for a long long time. I do my own setup.

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http://soundcloud.com/wally-dow/sets/w
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Last edited by Wally Dow on Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:11 pm
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Thanks guys, I really appreciate it. I'm going to have a last chat on this with my guitar teach tomorrow, but after that, it's to the shop.


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