Can't... Tune... Floyd... Rose...

[Kid Vicious]

This is ridiculous! I just bought a used RG320DXQMT from Guitar Center, and, like an idiot, proceeded to remove the strings and stuff to see how the Lo-TRS tremolo worked. when I put everything back on, of course, I couldn't get the damn guitar back in tune; everytime I tuned one string and went to the next, the first went back out of tune. This was repeated until the trem was sticking up high in the air, and only one or two of the highest strings were in tune. I of course found and read the guide for tuning on this site, but when I did as directed, I still ended up with the low strings out of tune and the low-end fine-tuners completely screwed in, with the higher fine-tuners almost all the way out. Basically, any way I tune, when I get to the opposite end of the guitar, the end I started on is out of tune again. Also, these are strings that were already on the guitar and broken in from its days at Guitar Center. Please help me be able to play my expensive new guitar.

[jem7vwh93]

Let's assume the trem springs don't need adjustment since it was in tune when you started. Unlock all strings on the locknut. Set all the fine tuning screws to the middle of each (halfway in). Put in the trembar. Start with the low E and tune it while holding the trem bar in the neutral (parallel to the body) position. Use the tuning machines to tune - not the fine tuners. Keeping the bar and trem in the same place move on to A, D, etc. This should get you close and the trem should float by the time you get to the high E. Go back to the low E. It will be out of tune. See if it is sharp or flat, and check the rest without tuning. If they are all flat then tune the low E up to F#, then the A to A# and tune the rest to pitch. If they are all sharp, then tune the low E 1 step flat, the A 1/2 step flat and proceed to tune the rest. When you tune go back to the E and A you will find they are close to being in tune. At this point all strings should tune to pitch using the machines, lock the locknut and use the fine tuners.

[Ferrous Lepidoptera]

I've also noticed a lot of times the guitars in GC are tuned to Eb, or to random-pitch-lower-than-E. (I think they think the lower pitch makes the guitar easier to play, as the strings are under less tension, and consequently easier to depress with the fretting fingers, on the theory that easier playing guitars should sell better, and who's going to notice the guitar's at Eb. -- but Hanlon's razor probably applies.)

So anyway, if you took all the strings off and this was the case, then you later tried to tune up to E, you might find the trem sticking way up in the air because the springs are set up for something lower than E.

[Kid Vicious]

Thanks for the help, guys. This is the first time I've checked this thread, so I haven't had time to do that stuff yet, but I will now. I'll post again to tell you how it worked out.

[Kid Vicious]

Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! Thanks to you guys, its perfectly in tune and the fine tuners are all halfway in! I did exactly what you said, Jem7, and it worked perfectly. After doing it I understood the logistics completely and also why my own trial-and-error logic wasn't working. I think you're right also, Ferrous, since the trem is up a little past normal, but the strings are all tuned. I seem to remember the trem on my guitar sticking out a little further than the others at the store, so I should probably adjust the spring tension so that the trem is level now, right? Even if I don't make it completely level, it's still fine since I don't go insane with the trembar. Once again, thanks alot to both of you.

[jem7vwh93]

I got lucky, I just guessed.

What I'd do now is tighten the spring screws so that the trem is half way between where it is now and where you want it to be. My thought is that the guitar will go sharp, and when you detune your trem will lower even more. If it is still not low enough try this again. You'll get there.

[jem7vwh93]

Oh - and make sure you use a large phillips head screwdriver that fits the screws well. Wood screws like this strip real easy.

[Kid Vicious]

Aight, thanks; I'll try that. BTW, I used a little piece of plastic as a shim instead of just holding the bar; it was easier since I didn't have to keep holding it in the same place.