Problems with tuning and trem angle

offie · #1 06-22-2006, 12:12 PM

Hi there

I have replaced my pup in my J Custom and thought it would also be nice to replace the factory strings that have been sat on it for a good 6 months or so, so i followed the guide on Jemsite and replaced each string one by one.

I have stretched the strings and left them to sit for about a day and stretched them again and then attempted to tune (all this is done obviously with the nut locks undone).

Whenever I tune the guitar and check the other strings, they go out of tune. (I.e. theyll go flat). I carry on attempting to tune when i realize the trem is nearly at 45 degrees. Eek!!

Now on the old set of strings I had on, the angle was perfectly at neutral. I don't understand what is happening here and don't know what to sort out first; angle or string tuning!

Any help at all would be appreciated! Thanks!

Dee · #2 06-22-2006, 12:19 PM

Just keep going, offie. It's a floating tremolo, so as you add more tension to one string, the others go out of tune due to the tremolo springs -- it can be a pain trying to balance the string tension against them but the end result is worth it.

Just one thing -- did you choose the same guage of string that the guitar came with? If the guitar came with 9's and you bought 10's, for example, this will affect the angle of the bridge and you'd need to rebalance the trem.

So, as I said, keep going. Tune the thinnest string (top E) to pitch, then move to the next string (B), and so on. You'll need to keep going over it until it's finally in tune and possibly adjust the spring tension if you chose a heavier or lighter guage string than the guitar was set up for. It can also help if you depress the tremolo arm and allow it to return occasionally as you tune.

One last thing -- make sure you put a right-angle bend in the string at the tuning peg, otherwise it'll just slip.

If you still can't balance / tune it, pop into your local guitar shop and have them take a look at it.

offie · #3 06-22-2006, 12:42 PM

Hi there

thanks for the reply! I'm happy to carry on going, except the angle is atrotious on the tremelo... im afraid im going to do some damage!

Dee · #4 06-22-2006, 01:03 PM

Is it sloping forwards or back? If forwards, it sounds like you are using heavier strings than the guitar came with. The options then are to unscrew the tremolo cavity cover on the back of the guitar and screw in the spring claw closer to the body, this will pull the tremolo bridge back and couter the heavier string tension, and the other option is to buy a lighter guage string.

offie · #5 06-22-2006, 02:02 PM

hmm... should I loosen the strings before tightening the screws? I'm using 0.09's so im guessing theyre not different to the originals, but yeah it is coming UP out of the body alot. Im afraid if i tighten whilst theyre this tight theyll snap

offie · #6 06-22-2006, 02:07 PM

update; just screwed it closer to the body and it made no difference... it still pulls up loads when im trying to tune, I did half a turn on each btw.

offie · #7 06-22-2006, 02:50 PM

just done it another half and still.. nothing. trying mentally to tune and its just not staying in tune, and the trem is going higher and higher :-(

i need this really urgently! I've got a gig in 2 days.. ahh i'm so stoopid - should have just left it as was.

Rich · #8 06-22-2006, 03:58 PM

Stop screwing around and crank in the screws until you have to start detuning. After it responds you'll be adjusting for an hour getting everything back level again. Then let sit for an hour and tweak.

Dee · #9 06-22-2006, 04:09 PM

Do as Rich says, it may take a good few turns until you reach the right point. I'm guessing you had 8 gauge strings on there before, because if it had 9's and you are replacing them with 9's, this shouldn't be happening. Unless you're completely tuning it to the wrong key! I hope you have a tuner / pitch pipe / similar. If not, have a look here and use the flash tuner:

http://www.behringer.com/04_ultranet/toolz.cfm?lang=ENG

offie · #10 06-22-2006, 04:15 PM

Turned it 1 3/4 and it seems to be a heck of alot better but its still not neutral.. might take it up to 2 turns and see what happens.

Dee · #11 06-22-2006, 04:20 PM

Go for it! Nothing bad can happen, it'll be cool.

offie · #12 06-22-2006, 04:31 PM

WOOOHAAA!!! Sucesss!!!! Well its about 1 degree off neutral but what the heck!? its basically done ive just tuned and am leaving the strings to stretch a tad bit more before locking. Thanks guys! *hugs everyone*

S-man · #13 06-22-2006, 04:41 PM

Heck, even the same gauge strings can do that to you, if they are a differant brand/type. If you really want to have fun, throw some 10's or 11's on there. You'll need to add a spring or change the springs to an arrow pattern.
(alot of the time)

BTW....you can get the trem 100% nuetral if you want. Nice learning expieriance ....eh?

Welcome to the club!

offie · #14 06-22-2006, 04:45 PM

Thanks man!

I take it i would get it 100% neutral via turning the screws more?

I'm not all that bothered.. it's okay having it a few degrees off neutral isnt it? Its hardly anything.

Dee · #15 06-22-2006, 05:19 PM

Yep, 100% neutral by fine tuning the amount of screw-in/out. It's OK to be off by a few degrees, though you may as well just get it spot on. I actually find the tone of the guitar a little snappier when it's at the correct angle. If it's pulling forwards, it seems less snappy. Maybe it's just my ears? I dunno!

@ S-man: I've never had any problems when using different brands of the same guage. Most odd.