Quote:
Originally Posted by Axayacatl
questions:
1. If you have four screws holding to objects together and you unscrew 3 of them, isn't it true that the fourth one is much more difficult to unscrew? This is the same idea isn't it? I'm not sure I follow your explanation. help me out here.
|
On the screw question: Sure, with certain forces on the objects. I don't think it's the same idea here at all; it's simpler. You have 6 (or 7 etc.) strings, each of which will end up at a certain tension when at its target pitch. You have a number of springs, which offer some amount of resistance when stretched to a certain length. There's no way to change those properties at will short of changing strings/springs, and the springs' response to forces certainly isn't dependent on the order by which you tune the strings. They get extended gradually and don't know to somehow provide less or more pull once at a certain distance because you tuned the E to F# first or anything like that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Axayacatl
The following happened to me when I had no idea about tuning a flyod. I tune up from my Low B to high E without compensating. By the time I get to the high E, the low B is very flat because the original tension has been relieved by tuning the other strings up. Then I raise the B and keep doing so with other strings. My strings are then in tune, but you look back at the bridge and it is raised. Screwing the plate further in doesn't help.
|
It doesn't help at all? If they're in tune and you screw the claw in further, they should certainly rise in pitch. After that, you can bring them back down into tune, the bridge will be lower, and you can judge/work from there. A video would be a huge help in diagnosing what's happening; I'd be surprised to see the strings stay at pitch while you screwed the claw in further.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Axayacatl
Then you release all the strings, and tune again, but this time, keeping in mind that you have to compensate your tuning. My strings are in tune but the bridge isn't ridiculously high. This has happened to me. It evidently happened to Rich. Are you saying this isn't true? Then why did this happen? I don't get whats going on then...
|
Is this after you've adjusted the claw? The most likely explanation I can think of is that you've now got it in the right position for these strings, and they could have been brought down into tune without slacking beyond target pitch and retuning. It doesn't make a difference how you get them back into tune as they'll end up at the same tension once at pitch.
If it were possible to change the properties of springs by how you tuned the strings up, wouldn't it seem logical that any sort of trem use could have all kinds of strange effects on them too? You can quickly bring them to higher and lower tension and back while the strings do the opposite, and things will come back in tune unless there are other problems with the guitar. Why would the sequence of steps to increase tension while tuning the strings have any effect? In my experience it doesn't.
In any case, I think the best way to tune a new set of strings is by blocking the trem at the desired angle, stretching & tuning, locking the nut and fine tuning, then removing the block and adjusting the claw if needed to get back in tune. The strings will be in tune once you bring the bridge back to the position at which you tuned, and it makes string/gauge/tuning changes almost as easy as on a fixed bridge. You just need a few more seconds to block/unblock and turn the claw screws, no multiple tunings and claw adjustments required. If there is somehow a way springs act differently depending how the strings are brought to pitch, I'd imagine keeping the bridge & springs in one position the entire time would be a fine way to counter it as well.
