HELP! Did i just screwed my new Jem7VWH?

angela · #1 01-02-2002, 01:25 PM

This is my first post and this is the first day that i've ever seen Jemsite.com. This site is great!!!

Anyway, i wich i've seen it before... that's my story. Last week i bought a new Jem 7VWH. It had very high action (3mm @ low E and 2.5mm @ high E, both 24th fret). Based on the manul that came with the guitar, i just loosened the bridge stud set screw on each stud a few complete turns (maybe 2 complete turns) and then i adjusted the bridge heigh all way until i had 0.000000001 mm! Then, i raised the bridge until all the major buzz dissapeared and i snuged the bridge stud set screws. After that, i discovered that i had major buzz in some spots, so the same process went over and over, until i got the action.

Now, my problem is that i'm only reading some posts now that say that you should remove the bridge when you're making some major adjustements in the bridge (like lowering the height from 3mm to 0.5mm) in order to avoid wear of the knive edge. In other post i read that if you're doing minor adjustements, say, change action from 2.1 mm to 2.0 mm you shouldn't remove the bridge.

But my adjustments were major adjustements! This is my first Jem and i tried to lower the bridge heigh almost to 0mm, just to see how would it feel. Then raised it, then lowered, then raised, etc, you got the point. So i'm a little afraid that i've made some damage to the knive edge doing this... also, i just loosened the bridge stud set screw on each stud maybe 2 complete turns counterclockwise... it all works fine, but i'm so afraid that i wear the knive edge... and that's a BAD feeling when you just got your brand new Jem 5 days ago...

Thanks.

Kevan · #2 01-02-2002, 01:33 PM

I wouldn't worry about the edges or the posts too much, but definitely don't do it 500 more times. :-)
The edges are very strong, but *can* dull- over time with use, or immediately if you keep adjusting the trem posts with the trem at full tension. *It's always a good idea to remove one or two (or all three) of the trem springs when making the adjustment. *Yes- it's a pain in the azz, but it assures you of sharp edges when you do get the height set.

Check for true-ness of the neck. *It sounds like a little truss rod adjustment might be in order. *Check the Tech Section here on Jemsite for instructions.

Congrats on the new VWH!

angela · #3 01-02-2002, 01:43 PM

Yes, i wouldn't do that again. If i ever change the action i'll remove the trem springs so i don't wear the edges or the posts. I did that because i just discovered this site today i didn't knew that i could do any damage to the tremolo. But i was raising and lowering the action for a good 30 minutes, checking the buzz, then raising/lowering, and again, and again...

SalemB · #4 01-02-2002, 01:44 PM

Congrats on the VWH!

I've never bothered to remove the bridge before making adjustments. On my Washburn with Edge tremolo I'm probably getting close to the "500 times" that Kevan is mentioning but it still stays in tune.

BTW: Don't interpret this as advice

angela · #5 01-02-2002, 01:47 PM

Also, is there any visible or functional sign of wear in the edges or posts? For example, does the tremolo goes out of tune or something?

Rich · #6 01-02-2002, 01:48 PM

Of course the "Official" word from Hoshino is adjusting your action height at full tension will NOT hurt the knife edges or the posts. Period.

**jemsite** · #7 01-02-2002, 02:21 PM

congrats on the VWH

Don't worry about what you did. We all do that with great success, including the people who setup the guitars originally.

IMHO unless there was a defect/burr in the post (or knife edge) to begin with (UNLIKELY) you cannot cause damage doing what you did. If you want to be extra cautious and play it safe, relieve some tension before doing another adjustment... it's your call... glen