Hey there,

I got a Fender Lite Ash Strat for christmas and it just feels good. In the last time I tried to play some Van Halen stuff for what you need the Tremolo and there is a big annoying problem.

After using the Tremolo the guitar is out of tune. It's like a half-step above the normal EADGBE-tuning and I don't know why. I just tried to used it very gently, no divebombs, but it keeps going out of tune.

I'm using D'Addario .9-strings. I also put a third spring into the Tremolo but it has no effect.

Maybe you could help me because I really like this guitar and it is just this little problem...

Regards,
Stefan

Hi. Gosh there could be so many problems -

Frction is your biggest enemy - the strings could be sticking at the nut or on the bridge saddles, but the nut is more likely. Might need a new nut or the existing one attended to by a decent tech. Go for a slippy nut material if changing - mybe tusque (which is what I use) or teflon.. At the very least, try working some graphite (pencil lead) into the string slots on your existing nut. Might work if you're lucky, but get in the habit of doing it anyway when you restring. Graphite is a popular nut lubricant. String trees are a bad friction point too. Try putting some vaseline or lip salve on the underside of the string tree.

Check how you're putting your strings on the guitar. They could be slipping on the winding post. Google "fitting gtr strings" Also, once fitted, make sure you're giving the strings a stretch - they will settle down so much quicker.

Check that your gtr neck is properly fixed to the body. Try tightening the neck screws if they're in any way loose, but don't go mad - dont want to to strip the bolts or screw thread holes!

What happens to your guitar when you make big string bends? Does the string come bacvk in tune or is it sharp then too? Generally, if you can afford it and have access to one, take the guitar to a tech. Will be able to fix problem with a good setup or advise you further..

Thanks for your advice. I can bend as much as I want and the string goes back in tune.

That's good - means you have one less problem and that the nut may actually be ok..

Is your trem bridge set to float - ie can you bend up as well as down? If so, when you dip the trem give it a little up and down wobble before you release the trem arm. This helps pull the string back to tension against any sticking points.

If your bridge is flat to the gtr top and you can only bend down, then returning to pitch accurately is not as straight forward as you cant give the string a little upward tug at the end of your tremming. You can set it to float but thats advice for another day..

With a standard 9 to 42 set of strings, 3 springs in the trem block is more than sufficient.

One more thing - if you have 6 screws holding the trem plate to the guitar, it's often worth making sure that the middle 4 are done up tight and that you raise the 2 end screws about a quarter of a turn. This means that the trem will then only be pivoting on the end screws - effectively a 2 point pivoting bridge. This is a bit more adavnced advice though, compared to the other points I made.

You have that backwards.
Pull the strings and springs off. Back all the screws off of the baseplate a few mm so the baseplate is sitting freely on the body. Starting at one end or the other, tighten the screw until the trem starts to lift. Once it starts to lift, back off just until the baseplate rests flat against the body again. Move on to the next screw and repeat the same process until the end.

Then you want to back the 4 middle screws off about a 1/4 of a turn. That way it will pivot on the two outside screws, but still have the support of all 6. Re-attach the springs and string it up. You might have to make a small adjustment to the trem claw, but it would be minor.

Aloha to everybody,

I also have some tremolo issues... with it going out of tune and have discovered the Trem Setter by Hip shot. I don't own it, but will be buying something as soon as I can figure out which one to buy. http://joe.emenaker.com/TremStabilizers/
This link reviews several of these devices..The Trem Setter seems to be the original device for helping the floating bridge. It gets good reviews for function but seems to be difficult to set up. Also there is the Goldo Backstop. http://joe.emenaker.com/TremStabilizers/BackBox.html
It is just as cheap/expensive I believe, but the set up seems much easier than the Trem Setter. But perhaps the feel of the strings is not as "soft" as with the Trem Setter. There is a number of these devices out there that help with this area. They bring the bridge back to it's original starting point, as well as keep the other strings in tune when bending one string. Also tackles tremolo flutter...Anybody know much about this? They get good reviews! SO this may help.

Oops - you are correct of course. That's what happens when you write posts quickly about something you did months ago..