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Post subject: Strat 2-post trem goes out of tune after a bend
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 6:33 am
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I have been having this problem for quite some time, but I only got at it now. After stretching the strings and tuning up the tremolo bar dive always makes G and B go a bit sharp. If I stretch the strings right after they go back to pitch that way. I really depends how you tune up and if the string is relaxed or pulled by the trem at the moment. You either get a sharp by diving or a flat by bending. I cannot balance it anywhere in between.

I noticed this problem after restringing the guitar with fresh strings. I have since restrung it at least five times, same batches, different batches, I even tried two sets of Fender Bullets and that didn't help.

All of the saddles are nice and polished, it's a Deluxe type trem with block saddles, regular tuners. My nut is okay, I even tried four different ones, even a brass one that I have laying around. No binding in the block either, all of the holes are chamfered and polished. Trem is set floating 1/8'' off the body, it got plenty of clearance underneath too.

I have taken it apart at least four times now, I cannot see if I missed anything. I even took care of the knife edge, filed the marks, sanded and polished it. Lightly, of course. Posts are shiny, no pitting or burrs.

Any thoughts?


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Post subject: Re: Strat 2-post trem goes out of tune after a bend
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 5:18 pm
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I keep preachin' it every chance I get. Google Carl Verheyen's YouTube trem set up video. Worked miracles for me.

http://guitarwtf.com/2012/10/09/carl-ve ... p-secrets/

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Post subject: Re: Strat 2-post trem goes out of tune after a bend
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 5:49 pm
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Hi getriba: must say, these sortsa issues always have the potential not to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion, because across the internet we can't see the instrument at first hand, and also can't really assess the player's technique, expectations and such. Still...

If two strings are consistently going sharp after dropping the trem it can only mean that the strings are not returning all the way back across the nut and saddles when the tension resumes. Which is why locking nuts and bridges were invented, after all.

You say you've gone so far as to switch out the nut several times, so obviously that reduces the chance that this is where the problem lies. Even so, I'd want to make sure the slots in both nut and saddles are as clean as possible by running some dental floss back and forth through them and then lubricate them lightly with graphite from the tip of a pencil. Or Nut Sauce or similar, if you hanker to spend your money. And treat the underside of the stringtree/s the same way.

I'm also wondering, if your nut is loose in its slot so you can switch it out easily as you described, perhaps it is too loose and is moving a bit when the string is pulled or slackened, and that's where the failure to fully return to pitch lies? If so, a single drop of carpenter's glue (Tightbond or whatever) on the middle of the underside of the nut is all you need to firm things up.

If that doesn't help, next take a look at the posts on the tuners on the strings in question. Put your finger gently on top of them and see if they wobble some when you work the trem. Any movement there could affect how the string returns to pitch when you change its tension.

Ultimately, this ain't witchcraft. A guitar is a physical system and when all the variables are controlled so will be its functioning. Easy to say - not always so easy to do, especially from thousands of miles away...

Anyway. Some ideas to get started with.

Cheers - C

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Post subject: Re: Strat 2-post trem goes out of tune after a bend
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 1:41 am
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I got the knife edge sanded and polished again yesterday and it seems like it fixed the problem. I have done so twice so far and it didn't help. I was always concentrating on removing the burrs and chewed up material, but never ever though about thinning the knife edge back, so I am guessing that I filed the edges too dull the first time.

The nut is not lose in the slot. I have been doing guitar repair for some years now and I am used to broach the nut into the slot, especially on Fender types and I don't like to glue it. Just broach it and leave it.


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