It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 2:38 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 33 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Tuning Problem, 2 point Tremolo
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 11:03 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 4:11 am
Posts: 17
Hi Lads, having a huge horrible problem with my strat which is really annoying me.

Christmas time I aquired Fender locking tuners, an LSR nut and A two pivot American Bridge for my MIM strat. I didn't dare try to install anything myself (with the exception of the Locking Tuners) so I decided to give it to a proffessional guitar Luthier. I stupidly forgot to mention to him how I wanted for him to set it up (A minor third on the G-String, full tone on the B string and a semi-tone on the high E) So he set it up to Standard Fender Specifications. I got it back and was happy with how he installed Everything + his setup.
After a day I stupidly decided to set the tremolo to my desired Specs (G= minor 3rd. B=tone. E=semitone) and i got to it quickly enough but once I tried to push the trem bar down, a few strings went completly out of tune. This had happened to me before with the original 6-screw trem and i remembered the Carl Verhyen (Angled Springs) method had worked for me then. I Tried this with the Two point with no improvement. I then tuned the strat so it goes sharp when i pull up on the bar (for practical reasons) but I still want it sorted out. I can see with my naked eye that the trem doesnt return to the same positon after pulling up I've tried everything I could think of. If anyone can help me I'd be so greatfull.
Cheers.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem, 2 point Tremolo
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 11:28 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2008 4:06 pm
Posts: 534
Location: Northern Virginia
I can't think of any reason why adjusting the tremolo's float angle would necessarily have a drastic impact on tuning. Did the trem stay in tune when you got it back from the luthier prior to making any adjustments? The only thing I would suggest is to look out for is possible binding at the bridge since you've noted that it does not return to exactly the same position after use.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem, 2 point Tremolo
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 11:47 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 4:11 am
Posts: 17
I did also try to angle the two posts which didn't help, I know I shouldn't have. Yes it was staying in tune when I got it back
Cheers


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem, 2 point Tremolo
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 5:37 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:27 pm
Posts: 3448
Location: Connecticut
What do you mean by angling the two posts.... ?

_________________
"C'est parti mon Kiki "


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem, 2 point Tremolo
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 5:56 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 4:11 am
Posts: 17
The two pivot screws on the bridge


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem, 2 point Tremolo
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 8:26 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:27 pm
Posts: 3448
Location: Connecticut
I still cannot figure out what you are describing... The pivot screws adjust vertically, this I believe would not be part of your problem.... Because of only two points of resistance to the spring tension, tuning individual strings sharp / flat will not matter.

There is no movement of the strings from the saddles contact point to where the ball / bullet end sits, regardless of tremolo movement... Since the trem. pivots on the two points. This is basically One mechanical piece...
But at the nut, the strings are pulled or released past their contact points, but are fixed at the tuners.... Also because of locking tuners, there is no need to wind the strings around the posts anymore than a 1/4 to 1/2 a turn.... the locking feature eliminates the possibility of the windings creating slack.... If you are winding the string around the post after locking them, it defeats the purpose of locking tuners....

But I do suspect the problem is with the nut and individual strings binding.

_________________
"C'est parti mon Kiki "


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem, 2 point Tremolo
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 4:37 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 4:11 am
Posts: 17
Yeah sorry about that, I adjusted the pivot screws so they are at the same height but I'm not sure what height they should be.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem, 2 point Tremolo
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 5:31 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
If you adjusted the pivot posts while the strings were under tension, you might have damaged the posts pivot point, or rounded the sharp edge of the bridge plate that fits into the posts. :idea:

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem, 2 point Tremolo
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 6:17 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 4:11 am
Posts: 17
Could that cause the trem not to return to the same position though ?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem, 2 point Tremolo
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 6:19 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:27 pm
Posts: 3448
Location: Connecticut
The pivot posts height adjustment should be all the way down if you only / mostly push down on the Trem Bar..... but if you also like to pull up... then you adjust them upwards to gain clearance from the body.... However you can't extend them to any height regardless....
The higher the setting, the more tension is leveraged from the pivot point to the posts.... You will also affect the sustain capabilities as the further down the shaft the adjustment screw is, the stronger / tighter the connection to transmit string vibration......
It will be a subtle change but adjustments do matter as far as string response is concerned...

I would suggest to just adjust up or down to what is needed for your particular Tremolo use, no more than that...

If you could post pics, this would help us tremendously...

_________________
"C'est parti mon Kiki "


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem, 2 point Tremolo
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 6:21 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:27 pm
Posts: 3448
Location: Connecticut
calumlane wrote:
Could that cause the trem not to return to the same position though ?


It shouldn't as the movement of the bridge at the pivot contact point is minuscule in comparison to the strings at the nut and tuners....
I still think that this is where your problem is, also what are you using for string sizes...???

By LSR nut... You do refer to the one with the roller bearings ... ??
And are the locking tuners of the staggered posts style...??
If so then are you using a string tree ...??

Staggered tuners and LSR bearing nut render the string tree as obsolete, as the tree now interferes with the string travel....

These if applicable could also be part of the problem....

_________________
"C'est parti mon Kiki "


Last edited by 53magnatone on Sun Feb 02, 2014 6:28 am, edited 1 time in total.

Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem, 2 point Tremolo
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 6:28 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
calumlane wrote:
Could that cause the trem not to return to the same position though ?


Yes, and I've seen it more than a few times. As you pointed out, it stayed in tune before you adjusted the posts. :wink:

To check for damage, remove the strings and springs, remove the bridge and inspect the beveled edges of the plate where they fit into the posts grooves, and inspect the posts to see if the grooves are worn.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem, 2 point Tremolo
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 6:33 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 4:11 am
Posts: 17
I'm using fender bullet .10's. I will post up some pictures as soon as I can. Appreciate the help.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem, 2 point Tremolo
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 6:37 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:27 pm
Posts: 3448
Location: Connecticut
calumlane wrote:
I'm using fender bullet .10's. I will post up some pictures as soon as I can. Appreciate the help.


I was asking in case you were using unusually large ( 13 ) diameter strings....
Speaking of bullets, they have had a tendency of binding ( the bullet end ) in the string slot, this should also be checked......

_________________
"C'est parti mon Kiki "


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tuning Problem, 2 point Tremolo
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 6:39 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 4:11 am
Posts: 17
shimmilou wrote:
calumlane wrote:
Could that cause the trem not to return to the same position though ?


Yes, and I've seen it more than a few times. As you pointed out, it stayed in tune before you adjusted the posts. :wink:

To check for damage, remove the strings and springs, remove the bridge and inspect the beveled edges of the plate where they fit into the posts grooves, and inspect the posts to see if the grooves are worn.


And if it is damaged will I need to get a new plate or will a luthier be able to do anything ?


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 33 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: omar59 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: