String changing question

Onizuka · #1 03-17-2005, 07:00 PM

Hi, when i changed my strings, the trem seems locked, and its locked in the position as if u had pulled it all the way back. What do I do? I havent put all the strings on yet though.

Hope u know what i mean..

Regards
Thomas

buddroyce · #2 03-17-2005, 11:53 PM

Once you put on all the strings, the string tension *SHOULD* pull the trem up. In the future you may want to change strings with a *fuzzy stick* or do what I do and push down on the trem bar once you have all the strings on and are about to tune to pitch.

moro · #3 03-18-2005, 01:14 AM

So the bridge is wedged in some how and stuck? What happens when you push down on the bar?

In the future, you may try changing your strings one at a time. It's much easier that way, imo.

Onizuka · #4 03-18-2005, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moro

So the bridge is wedged in some how and stuck? What happens when you push down on the bar?

In the future, you may try changing your strings one at a time. It's much easier that way, imo.

I can move it with the bar. I'll see what happens when i have all the strings on, next time i will try one and one string, thanks for ur tips

(I love this BB)

Onizuka · #5 03-19-2005, 07:26 AM

Sorry but i'm kinda new to this.

When u tune one string, that string goes out of tune when u tune other ones, and that goes for all the strings. Any tips?

Jem7RB MK · #6 03-19-2005, 08:08 AM

Keep tuning up until all 6(7/

strings are back in tune, Stretch them and repeat

Rob

Onizuka · #7 03-19-2005, 08:27 AM

how do u stretch?

MicJustMic · #8 03-20-2005, 11:34 AM

Just grab each one and pull it out from the guitar. (Not too hard)

Make sure the nut is UN-LOCKED.

Tune all strings to pitch, grab your low E (or B on a 7 string) and pull it away from the guitar a bit, tug it back and forth a few times . . . it will drop flat . . . tune it to pitch again and repeat until you get almost no drop in pitch when you tug on it.

Go to the next string, repeat . . .

Once you have all stings stretched do a final tuning then clamp the nut, do a few dives and pulls, flutter, abuse it a bit, basically . . . then fine tune.

Abuse the bar again, bend some strings, play a bit, fine tune again.

You should be good to go, if you're way out of tune, unlock the nut and do it again, you haven't stretched them enough.

Don't be too tentative about it, they can take quite a bit of abuse, just don't try to pull them more than a few cm from the body (especially the high E) or you could break the string.

Mic

MicJustMic · #9 03-20-2005, 11:37 AM

Also, it's usually much easier to change strings one at a time with a floating bridge, that way the other strings will keep the bridge close to level instead of dropping down into the body.

Mic

john1880 · #10 03-20-2005, 03:12 PM

Onizuka,
If the new strings are the same gage as the old ones, then once you bring all the strings to the correct pitch, the tremolo will sit in the right position.
It's a bit of a pain in the but, but once you get it set, the next time change one string at a time like a few other people have suggested. This way the trem has a good amount of tension both ways at all times. Better for the neck too. No radical tension changes. The trem is "floating", meaning that there is a balance of tension from the strings, and the springs. You remove or change that tension and the tremolo positioning will change.

Onizuka · #11 03-21-2005, 03:18 AM

Take it out of the guitar, u mean on the back, like under the backplate where they come out? U just stretch them there?

And if the trem isnt in the right place?

I'll just adjust the springs under the backplate?

moro · #12 03-21-2005, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onizuka

Take it out of the guitar, u mean on the back, like under the backplate where they come out? U just stretch them there?

No, on the front. The way I do it, I put the guitar face up on my lap, hook my first and second fingers under the middle of a string (around the 12th fret), and pull straight up, away from the face of the guitar. Then, while keeping tension on the string, I slide my hand 1/3 of the way toward the bridge, then 1/3 of the way toward the nut.

Quote:

And if the trem isnt in the right place?

I'll just adjust the springs under the backplate?

Yes. There's a metal plate with hooks on the end (the "claw") that the springs are attached to. The claw is anchored to the body with two screws. Just tighten or loosen the screws.

Onizuka · #13 03-21-2005, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moro

No, on the front. The way I do it, I put the guitar face up on my lap, hook my first and second fingers under the middle of a string (around the 12th fret), and pull straight up, away from the face of the guitar. Then, while keeping tension on the string, I slide my hand 1/3 of the way toward the bridge, then 1/3 of the way toward the nut.

Then u let go of the string, retune all strings again, and then repeat this process?

moro · #14 03-21-2005, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onizuka

Then u let go of the string, retune all strings again, and then repeat this process?

While I'm stretching the strings, I find that it's too much work to tune the entire guitar up to pitch. Get all the strings roughly up to pitch, then stretch one string at a time. Stretch the string, tune it up, stretch it again, and keep repeating until the string doesn't go out of tune after you stretch it.

Repeat for all the strings, *then* tune the entire guitar.

Onizuka · #15 03-21-2005, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moro

While I'm stretching the strings, I find that it's too much work to tune the entire guitar up to pitch. Get all the strings roughly up to pitch, then stretch one string at a time. Stretch the string, tune it up, stretch it again, and keep repeating until the string doesn't go out of tune after you stretch it.

Repeat for all the strings, *then* tune the entire guitar.

Ok, i'm giving it a try, thanks for the tips