Problem with 7dbk staying in tune

[romer711]

I have a 7dbk that I purchased and it will not get back to proper tunning when I dive with the bar. The guy had the trem blocked when I bought it. If I pull back it will fall back to proper tuning but if I dive it will stay flat and I need to pull back to get it to get back to the proper tuning. Is this a spring problem or is it a more serious problem. Any suggestions is much appreciated.

[Shredder87]

Ah! The woes and traumas of double-locking jobbys. I suggest checking Rich's tech page at Ibanez Rules.

Could be a wide variety of things... check Knife-edges, post valleys, check the locking nut is secured/holding the strings in place (but don't overtighten!), could even be something as simple as your new strings needing stretched in.

One interesting note is the trem was blocked. It's likely your springs have developed a "memory" with being static for a long time and now that you are using the trem the springs need to be broken in again. If the trem isn't used, the springs are static and can form a "memory"... I had this when my Ibanez was newish. I didn't use the trem for weeks and then when I started using it again I had some bizarre tuning problems... then as the springs got broken in again the problem disappeared. The solution is to use plenty whammy, all of the time

That could be your problem.

Let us know how you get on.

'87

[romer711]

Thanks Shredder. I did have a luthier mention that the knives may be bad, but I am inclined to try changing the springs first. Do I need to stick with specifics springs? How much does it cost to repalce the knieves?

[eviltwin]

The spring are not the problem, they are metal and won't creep or sag, not unless you store them under very high strain at high temperatures.

The wood however might have, but I doubt this.

Since the trem was blocked I'm guessing the previous owner was already experiencing these or similar problems and it's not due to the trem being blocked for a while.

The knives you can inpect yourself and even sharpen them if necessary, check the (locking !) trem posts as well.

[reguv760]

also check if the studs are locked....

Reg

[newbieguitarmaker]

My 2570 has just recently started to have this exact same problem. Would my knife edges be worn out after just 2 years of use?

I've been pouring over tech articles including Rich's but I can't seem to fix my problem. My 7 string I bought (I think) about 6 months ago also has had this problem but it is even more intensely out of tune with trem usage. I believe the 7 is due to not having locking studs though and I am changing those once I get some moola.