Creaking neck and Tuning instability

[LimHae]

I just got a used S370 and I am having all sorts of problems with the tuning. In searching this site, I have found two posts that pertain to my problem, but they have not been linked together, and I believe they should be. http://www.jemsite.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=21569 this covers the issue of having a creaking neck. http://www.jemsite.com/phpbb/viewtop...t=edge+tremolo and this covers tuning instability. My guitar has a TRS trem (yes I know they are horrible) but it stays in tune fine, except for when I either dive or pull up there is a creaking noise that comes from my neck. When I push, the tuning goes flat, and when I pull the tuning goes back to normal. I have also noticed that this only occurs when the locking nut it tightened on the strings, when I have not locked down the nut there is no creaking. Options I have considered include buying a new neck, buying a new locking nut, buying an Edge trem and having my guitar routed, installing a trem setter or setting my guitar on fire . If anyone could leave any suggestions as to how I might fix my guitar, it would be greatly appreciated.

E

[Rich]

First thing is do maintanence and snug all your wood to metal contact points, tuners, nut, neck joint. Necks can still creak, usually once when you first to a dive then it's released the stored the tension, until you pick it up again. The TRS could be a few things, loose part tightened above, pivot point, lack of locking studs, pickguard interference, etc.

[dcord]

Your neck is probably loose at the neck joint. Remove the tremolo and back the neck screws off. Hold the neck as tight as you can to the heel and reattach the neck as tight as you can.

As for your trem stability, your problems are easily remedied by some knife edge maintenance. TRSes are not junk, they can work every bit as well as an Edge, when properly maintained.

~d~

[LimHae]

Thanks for the help. I've determined that the problem is due to the locking nut. I can hear and feel the creaking coming from the neck where the nut is attached and when the nut isn't clamped there is no creaking. I probably need to do some knife work too.