It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 5:14 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 20 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Out of tune
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:12 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:18 pm
Posts: 155
I'cve made some nice mod's to 1990 mim. pup's and had it set up by a pro. But as soon as I touch the whammy bar I'm out of tune. Any suggestions?


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:22 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 10:57 am
Posts: 602
To start with make sure the string path is well-lubricated, especially at the nut.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:33 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:18 pm
Posts: 155
What would I lubricate it with?


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:36 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:08 am
Posts: 9034
Location: Louisiana
bradymoore wrote:
What would I lubricate it with?


Pencil tip or graphite :wink:


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:48 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:18 pm
Posts: 155
Ok I have a stupid question. What and where is the nut located on the guitar. I have an idea.
How would you apply pencil tip or graphite to it properly? Sorry for the dumb questions.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Out of tune
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:50 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
bradymoore wrote:
I'cve made some nice mod's to 1990 mim. pup's and had it set up by a pro. But as soon as I touch the whammy bar I'm out of tune. Any suggestions?


Don't touch the whammy bar. :lol:

Seriously though, in addition to what's been said already, once the guitar has initially been tuned to pitch with a new, pre-stretched and properly wound set of strings, do a few open dive bombs and guided returns. This helps the fulcrum system balance better. Meaning, the pulling tension of the strings against the springs and vice versa. If one has a tendency to unacceptably take precedence over the other, it will show itself right there and the appropriate remedy can be taken. Once again, repeat the dive bombing procedure as prior to final setup until you are satisfied with the consistency of the fulcrum balance. This may take a few times until you've achieved the desired results.

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:54 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:18 pm
Posts: 155
I've tried the whammy bombs. Still out of tune. I use Fender Super Bullets for strings.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 1:01 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 10:57 am
Posts: 602
bradymoore wrote:
What would I lubricate it with?


At your local music store you will find small containers of the grease that is used. It might be called something like "string-eaze" or something like that. I have some.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 1:01 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
bradymoore wrote:
I've tried the whammy bombs. Still out of tune. I use Fender Super Bullets for strings.


Have you guided the arm back up or just let it snap back?

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 1:01 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2008 2:52 am
Posts: 3840
Location: Colorado Springs
+1 to the lubricant suggestion. But it is also time for you to learn about bridge "float" and if you need it. Do a search on "float" in the Strat forum. There have been extensive threads on this topic as it relates to tuning.

_________________
Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 1:03 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 2:38 am
Posts: 15
Location: Oss, Netherlands
Well, I'm allways out of tune!! :lol:


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 1:13 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:18 pm
Posts: 155
I guide the arm back up. I have 3 springs hooked up to the back of the bridge, if that helps.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 1:15 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:21 am
Posts: 527
bradymoore wrote:
I've tried the whammy bombs. Still out of tune. I use Fender Super Bullets for strings.


Get a Floyd Rose double locking unit???;)

Seriously, the best advice is to lube the nut. The nut is the 0 fret at the peghead. It is the slotted piece that your strings set in after the tuning pegs. The open notes if you will.

Simply pull the strings out of their slots on the nut and take a sharpened pencil and draw in the slots with the pencil. This way the graphite from the pencil lead will lube the nut and allow the string to move in the nut without getting bound up, which may be the reason the guitar is out of tune after using the tremelo. While your at it, you should also color the string tree where the string sets with the pencil. You may want to do the same on each saddle at the bridge

_________________
Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 1:19 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
bradymoore wrote:
I guide the arm back up. I have 3 springs hooked up to the back of the bridge, if that helps.


Evidently, the fulcrum balance is not even as the tremolo should come back with relative consistency.

How high is the tremolo plate off the back of the guitar (if at all)? How tight are the six screws in the front of the tremolo plate screwed into the guitar? Pictures would indeed be worth a thousand words.

Unfortunately, I have to leave now, I'll check back in a few hours.

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 1:38 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:18 pm
Posts: 155
The tremelo plate is not off the backof the guitar at all.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 20 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: stratele52 and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: