Need help with my ibanez ..please..

[JasonMalmsteen]

Hey , I just got myself I sabre and I dont know what the hell is going on..
it came in standard tuning with 9-42's but the strings were really old so I went to buy new strings and I restrung it.. I cant tune it up! o.O It doesnt hold tuning at all, like if I tune my bottom E to E and then tune something else it'll go ultra flat..also, if I attempt to tune my guitar, my floyd bridge goes up like I am depressing my whammy bar...I dont know whats goin on but im pretty depressed about it.. please help!

[SeanB]

I dont mean to talk to you like you are stupid or anything but have you owned a floyd equipped guitar before?

There is a very good guide on the setup section here on how to tune floyd equipped guitars.

[JasonMalmsteen]

I read about the cross-tuning and all but I have played an RG for like 2-3 years and I never had to do any of that.. I tried thecross tuning thing this morning but it just keeps on going back and forth, not holding tune.. When I got the guitar the trem angle was perfect but now if I attempt to tune it to standard, it goes all the way up..dont know what could have cause my trem angle to screw up.. i dunno

[SeanB]

The old strings would have been stretched out quite a lot. The new strings will create far more tension. Get it tuned up, then tighten the springs a bit.
Tune up again, if the trem still isnt level, tighten the springs a bit more then repeat.

[Vim Fuego]

Ok with all new strings they need stretching before they'll hold tuning. This is most obvious with a guitar with a locking trem.
My advice is:
Put something under the back of the trem effectively to stop it floating (I use an eraser cut to size so the trem plate lies flat).
Tighten the springs until the trem is hard against the eraser.
Tune the strings (lock nuts removed)
If you've tightened the springs enough you should be able to get tuning fairly quickly as the trem doesn't move.
Stretch the strings and re-tune.
Stretch the strings and re-tune.
Stretch the strings and re-tune (until the tuning doesn't drift when you stretch).
When you're happy, loosen the springs until the low E goes slightly flat.
Remove the eraser (or whatever).
Tighten the springs until the low E is in tune.
Lock the nut.
This should give you an in tune guitar with the trem at the correct angle.
Jim

[JasonMalmsteen]

Originally Posted by SeanB

The old strings would have been stretched out quite a lot. The new strings will create far more tension. Get it tuned up, then tighten the springs a bit.
Tune up again, if the trem still isnt level, tighten the springs a bit more then repeat.

okay, thanks.. s o youre saying the source of my problems is the trem angle? the strings are VERY old so it makes sense..

[JasonMalmsteen]

Originally Posted by Vim Fuego

Ok with all new strings they need stretching before they'll hold tuning. This is most obvious with a guitar with a locking trem.
My advice is:
Put something under the back of the trem effectively to stop it floating (I use an eraser cut to size so the trem plate lies flat).
Tighten the springs until the trem is hard against the eraser.
Tune the strings (lock nuts removed)
If you've tightened the springs enough you should be able to get tuning fairly quickly as the trem doesn't move.
Stretch the strings and re-tune.
Stretch the strings and re-tune.
Stretch the strings and re-tune (until the tuning doesn't drift when you stretch).
When you're happy, loosen the springs until the low E goes slightly flat.
Remove the eraser (or whatever).
Tighten the springs until the low E is in tune.
Lock the nut.
This should give you an in tune guitar with the trem at the correct angle.
Jim

i stretched my strings by hooking it up to a tuner and pulling on it / retuning until it doesnt go flat anymore

[screamndemon69]

Are you using the same gauge strings (9-42)? It sounds like you need to tighten the springs a little at a time while the strings are getting tuned and bridge is set at the proper angle.

[JasonMalmsteen]

I am using the same gauge .. I read this guide on jemsite on how to change strings..:

Remove the high-E, replace with new string. Tighten the string at the bridge, leave the nut unlocked. gently pull the string at the 12th fret to stretch/bend the string and seat the string at the post. Retune and stretch/bend. Repeat 3-5 times until the tuning holds fairly well.

Remove the B-string, replace with new string, stretch/retune as above. Now, after the B-string is tuned, retune the high-E. DO NOT CONTINUE replacing the G-string until both the E and the B are tuned. (disregard the other old strings).

Remove the G-string, replace with new string, stretch/retune as above. Now, after the G-string is tuned, retune the higher strings one at a time. DO NOT CONTINUE replacing the G-string until both the E and the B are tuned. Note that I tune the G, fine tune the B, fine tune the E, recheck the G, fine tune the B, fine tune the E, recheck the G, etc.. until all 3 are finely tuned. (disregard the other old strings D-A-E).

Remove the D-string, replace with new string, stretch/retune as above. Now, after the D-string is tuned, retune the higher strings one at a time. DO NOT CONTINUE replacing the D-string until the D-G-B-E strings are tuned to pitch. Use the same repetitive manner as above. Remember if you fine-tune ANY string you must check all others for proper tune.

Remove the A-string, replace with new string, stretch/retune as above. Now, after the A-string is tuned, retune the higher strings one at a time. DO NOT CONTINUE replacing the A-string until the A-D-G-B-E strings are tuned to pitch. Use the same repetitive manner as above. Remember if you fine-tune ANY string you must check all others for proper tune. HERE IS WHERE IT GETS REPETITIVE and tedious... but keep at it. It will pay dividends later.

Remove the low E-string, replace with new string, stretch/retune as above. Now, after the A-string is tuned, retune the higher strings one at a time. Remember if you fine-tune ANY string you must check all others for proper tune.


Now, I didnt string my guitar this way.. I just went from bottom E to high E one by one... I did stretch them though.. If this is my problem I am curious because that is how I strung my RG520 and I never had any problems with it holding tune..

[JasonMalmsteen]

guys cmon, Ive come to the conclusion that I dont know jacksht about floyds lol , please reply

[screamndemon69]

I know it can be a little frustrating at times. I had a Wolfgang that gave me problems like that but it came down to the springs needing tightened.

85% of the time I change all the strings at once rather than one at a time. One at a time is a little faster and easier (usually doesn't require any spring adjustment when using the same gauge). I take all of them off when I need to deep clean the guitar with a toothbrush on the trem and neck and when oiling the neck (once or twice a year).

I also string with the all end at the tuning post for simplicity.

Have you gone to ibanezrules.com and looked over the tech section Lots of great tips there

[Vim Fuego]

Yeah, you obviously do know what you're on about!
I think SeanB is right and the strings must have been very old and stretched out. Also I just changed strings on my VWH to the same gauge from a different manufacturer and found I had to change the spring tension quite a lot! I guess you'll always have to fiddle with the springs unless you change your strings one at a time and the old ones aren't very old!
Jim

[screamndemon69]

Are you using the same brand and installing new strings?

[JasonMalmsteen]

thanks alot everyone for your help... im using the same brand and same gauge.. I tihnk the problem would be that the previous strings were really old n all.. should I do what Vim said, and it should be fine?:


Ok with all new strings they need stretching before they'll hold tuning. This is most obvious with a guitar with a locking trem.
My advice is:
Put something under the back of the trem effectively to stop it floating (I use an eraser cut to size so the trem plate lies flat).
Tighten the springs until the trem is hard against the eraser.
Tune the strings (lock nuts removed)
If you've tightened the springs enough you should be able to get tuning fairly quickly as the trem doesn't move.
Stretch the strings and re-tune.
Stretch the strings and re-tune.
Stretch the strings and re-tune (until the tuning doesn't drift when you stretch).
When you're happy, loosen the springs until the low E goes slightly flat.
Remove the eraser (or whatever).
Tighten the springs until the low E is in tune.
Lock the nut.
This should give you an in tune guitar with the trem at the correct angle.
Jim

[screamndemon69]

Let us know if that ^^ worked for you. That is a tried and true method. No need to take the lock nuts off completely, just unlocked/loosened.

FWIW- you have to stretch out your strings on ANY guitar, not just trem equiped guitars.