Changed brand of strings - same gauge: trem prob - help!

[tim505]

Hi there,

I've got a Sabre 540FM, Lo-Pro Edge trem. I used to have Gibson 009-042 strings on it, and had it all set-up nicely accordingly to the jemsite guide. I had a super smooth buttery feel on the strings.

I decided to give a clean to the fretboard, and took out all the strings (without blocking the trem... is that en error?). I took some Fender 009-042 strings to restring it - After tuning it to pitch the trem angle was WAY too positive!! I had to tighten the springs and screw them about half an inch more! After stretching the strings, I would have to tighten the tuners and my bridge would go each time more positive. Now, I can't screw them any further and my trem is *slightly* positive. Phew. But now, even though everything is set-up correctly but the string tension is horrendous!

Can someone explain me why?:

1) Same gauge of strings... would the brand of strings explain the fact I had to tighten the springs so much? Why do I end up with considerably more tension?

2) On the ibanez rules site, something is mentionned about tuning too quickly and ending up with a sh*t angle with the trem. Could it be possible? I don't think I tuned it too quickly

3) Or is this just normal? I've read other posts here saying that after restringing their bridge angle would go up and the strings would feel stiff. It's been 2 days now and it's still really stiff (strings are fully stretched BTW the guitar stays in perfect tune)

4) Did I f**k up not blocking the trem and taking off everything in one time? Could this be sufficient to explain the reaction of the trem?

Many thanks!

[Rich]

Anytime you pull all the strings without blocking the trem you're asking for this to happen. Block the trem, loosen all the strings, loosen the claw back to @ where it was, and start again.

[tim505]

Well I did what you suggested - I blocked it with a sock (lol), detuned, loosened the claw, and tuned everything really gradually By the time I arrived to half a step down, I took the sock off. Once tuned to standard, the angle was up again, so I detuned a bit the strings, and tightened the claw. After that my strings were nearly perfectly in tune!

I basically have the angle for the trem with the same amount of tightening of the claws as before... but my strings feel all spongy again now! This is really weird and beyond me because the setup is virtually the same yet it feels so different


Mysteries of the locked trems... Anyway, thanks Rich!!!!!

[Rich]

I always block at a positive angle then back off the tuning of the new strings to let the bridge "down", works every time and never get the "whack" syndrome

[Freestyler]

Firstly, I hope you don't mind me kinda hijacking this thread. Its pretty much the same topic so it seems pointless making a new one.

Anyway, I'm currently going through these same problem.

I broke a string so decided to change 'em all, and clean my fretboard while I was at it. I took the strings off except for 2,4 and 6 as recommended by my guitar teacher, but when puttin the strings back on and I ended up with a very positive trem and nowhere near standard tuning.

I've got the strings fully stretched now and near standard tuning, but my neck seems to have bowed a bit and the action is alot higher than before (with more buzzing).

Any suggestions?

(oh, and I've tried loosening all th e strings, tightening the clawn and going through it again, but i still end up wth mhigher action + neck relief. I've got an S370 with a Lo-TRS on it.)

[horstausmforst]

Is your trem still parallel to the body? If not, try the advice given to tim505 (If you want to, use a sock too, lol).

Btw, I've found the tip shown here to be the most comfortable for cleaning your fretboard etc. It's not half as complicated as described there, but that might be because I'm doing this left-handed and have much more space to work in.
Btw, Rich, I've found out that it works even better when using one of those bowed pliers.

Edit: If you really HAD to remove all of your strings (when youre replacing the trem etc.), I've found it very useful and timesaving to just push down the trem bar with my right hand (so that the trem is as parallel to the body as you can get it) while doing a quick tuning with my left hand. When the tuning is ok, put your hand off the bar and do the fine twaking. No need to block there.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Rich

Anytime you pull all the strings without blocking the trem you're asking for this to happen. Block the trem, loosen all the strings, loosen the claw back to @ where it was, and start again.

[mike2nyc]

use the same brand and type of strings to prevent this from happening.