My Amstrat has developed a weird tuning tendency: After playing for a while I go to tune it up and the strings are slightly sharp, not flat. Cannot explain. The truss rod is not tweaked so much that the neck is distorted or anything visible like that, the strings are relatively new and the tone is just as rich as ever. I cannot seem to figure this one out. Any ideas?

Is it all the strings or just the bass side strings that are # when you go to retune?

Mine does this as well.. I thought it was a case of (as the strings wear the trem springs pull back causing it to go sharp)…I quickly realized that was probably not the case as my Gibson guitars do it as well and don’t have tremlo on them.. I am just as baffled about this…when the string are new they always go flat…it seem when they get some ware on them the go sharp…I don’t know why this happens, I just take it as a sign to change strings…….Bill

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It's usually most of the strings. I haven't noticed any trends. Maybe it is the bass strings more...(4, 5, and 6).

I havent run into this, but I am sure somebody out there know the answer **CAFEATHERS!!**

The only thing I can think of is maybe you use the tremolo and the strings bind a bit at the nut when you return the tremolo arm to its normal position. Just a guess though.

I took the trem out in '90 and haven't looked back.

You got me Jobe

I appreciate your candor.

Also noticed you too have the hot rod deluxe. I just treated myself to one this christmas. How did you remedy the volume-tone relationship without soundproofing your home? I got turned onto a little box that essentially serves as a master volume when plugged into the preamp. I get the fat and juicy tones without making my ears bleed or getting evicted.

I just received my HDx today, about 7 hours ago in fact! I have essentially bought way too much amp for the apartment I live in so I have not begun to explore the tone/volume relations in any great detail (certainly have to turn it up past 2 to do that!!). But I intend to take it out to jam with some friends in a proper location where I can crank it ASAP.

I will say that even at low volume I can get some great clean tones, a great imporvement over my old amp. And for distortion I commit a bit of heresey and connect my multi effects pedal and I can get nice heavy sounds without a bunch of fuzz.


Being new to the Hot Rod Deluxe, I'd appreciate any hints you may have.

Glad to be of service! Ebay, "Omnisonic Volume Control." $18.95 + $4.80 shipping. I paid around $6 for the 2 connecting cables which are about 5-6 inches long. Plug into your preamp and you can crank your clean channel as high as you want. The crunchy (almost) overdriven sounds that dirty up the sound are at the top. But, this switch allows you to explore ALL the tonal ranges that the amp is capable of, again, without getting evicted. Plus, the cat who turned me on plays through a killer 2x12 60w ampeg. I was always cutting right through his tone (sort of proud about that) but with the new switch we can match our volumes easier and I don't sacrifice any tone. Uber sweet.

Oh NICE! Kind of like the Pre/Post Gain setup on my old Peavey Amp. I think I'll give it a try Jobe. Thanks.

You will thoroughly enjoy your amp so much more. Let me know how it goes!

jobeb6970@yahoo.com

Daily and seasonal changes in temperature and humidity can cause the guitar to go sharp or flat. The affects are particularly noticeable if you keep your guitars in their cases, which is generally a good idea.

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