Trem problem: sharp and flat

leec · #1 12-08-2006, 12:12 PM

I've just bought a 7620 and when it arrived, it all needed a good clean up and set-up.
I popped the trem off so I could give the guitar a clean. I didn't use the trem before doing this, so I don't know if this problem existed before I popped the trem, but I'm guessing it must have:
If I pull up on the bar and then let it return to neutral, most of the strings go sharp by quite an alarming amount. Then if I dive and let it return, they're flat by the same amount. Neutral position isn't neutral; it depends upon whether I dive or pull before letting it return.
I took a look at the knife-edges, they seem nice and sharp still. The whole guitar is in amazingly good condition, hardly used, so I doubted it'd be that.

The trem seems to be sat nicely into the grooves on the posts. I also locked the posts, too (they weren't locked) and matched their height before doing so.

Does anyone have any ideas about what could be causing this?

Demiurge · #2 12-08-2006, 01:27 PM

Did you pre-stretch your strings? (well, that wouldn't explain them going sharp, would it!) How well do you have the nut locked? The strings could be binding up in the nut if it's not tightened enough.

I don't do it myself, so I'm sure about the particulars, but please someone else chime in to correct me: that trick with the lim balm, do you put it on the trem posts at the point of articulation with the knife edges? I think that's the case, because even though the knife edges are sharp, too much friction may cause binding at that point. Are the posts themselves in good shape?

leec · #3 12-08-2006, 03:15 PM

Aye, the nut's clamped down tightly, and I doubt it's the strings stretching.

I didn't know the trick with lip balm. I'll have to get some and try it.

I checked everything out just now, and everything seems to be in great condition; it's barely been used. This is very frustrating. I'm not particularly great with setting up guitars, so I'm probably missing something easily fixed, but I can't see what's causing this problem.

Chroma · #4 12-08-2006, 03:34 PM

I had a Dean 7 string with a problem that seems just like this.

I bought it used, had the same problem you described and when I asked some more question about it and why there was no bar for the floyd...I was told by a friend of the original owner the guitar had been knocked face first off a stand which snapped the bar in half when it landed.

I took the floyd completely off and looked closely at the knife edges. On the treble side, exactly where the post met the pivot point, the edge had been flattened. It basically functioned like two different knife edges on that side of the floyd and depending on which way the bridge was moved, one of the two would seat in the post.

leec · #5 12-08-2006, 04:20 PM

I was checking on Rich Harris's very comprehensive site and this site for tips. It looks like my knife edges are within normal parameters.
I also checked the posts, and they look to be in ok order.

Rich · #6 12-08-2006, 05:16 PM

You might have missed a page

http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech/setu..._stability.htm

leec · #7 12-08-2006, 10:16 PM

I did check that page, but missed the one thing that seems to have fixed it: 5. Loose Nut. I didn't read this paragraph, I'd assumed it meant the nut clamps. Stupid me.

Thanks a lot, Rich; between your advice and your site, it seems ok. Thanks to everyone who replied, too.

I'd say the trem now functions at a 93-95%. I think maybe some of this Chapstick lip balm might help push it up a bit. Does it have to be this Chapstick brand? Or can it be any of the waxy "lip-stick" like ones?
Does it have to be a certain flavour?

Rich · #8 12-08-2006, 10:22 PM

#3 - procedure seems to be one of the least understood also.

Any PTFE impregnated lubricant will be as effective. Contrary to all Kevin's rants on it's superiority I tested it against Chapstick and it was absolutely no better or no worse, they were even, Chapstick being a lot easier to find and a lot cheaper, in the US anyway

OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S · #9 12-08-2006, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

You might have missed a page

http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech/setu..._stability.htm

Hey Rich you should make a "How to set up your guitar video" with the amount of knowledge you have, it would be extremely useful and I bet tons of guys would buy it!!!

Rich · #10 12-09-2006, 12:53 AM

I have a hard enough time just writing pages. I'm finally writing the truss rod page for all these guys that don't wear pants

Lefty Robb · #11 12-09-2006, 02:05 AM

Thats a bomb Idea...Don't forget Rich, you could upload them all to Youtube so you wouldn't have to use or pay for any bandwidth...

Rich · #12 12-09-2006, 02:15 AM

The first tech page I've written in a year

http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech/setup/truss.htm

Yea, I'll get right on the video

chlamy · #13 12-09-2006, 06:38 AM

I actually second the video idea ! I know that Rich, you might have way more things to do every day then eventually doing a video, but I have seen this on other websites : a knowledgeable guy makes a cool long pdf or video and makes it available for between 10 and 20 bucks for download on his website. This way you can make some extra cash, and I would be pretty sure that even at 20 bucks there would be alot of people here running to their Visa to buy "Rich's Guitar Setup and Maintenance Course Video"