Tuning returns sharp after pullups!

[Dee]

GAH! I really didn't want to be affected by this, it has plagued my last guitar for several years, but I also found that it's happening on my RG3120. I only got the guitar yesterday and I just noticed that after I'd lowered the action a little bit, the bridge returns sharp after pull-ups on the bar. NooOOoOOOooOO! Not again!

What's the most likely cause of this? Studs? Knife edges? Springs? The guitar has had barely any play, it's a used 2001 model but the condition looks like new. Any ideas?

EDIT: Oh yeah, it's a lo-Pro. Forgot to say.

[Ozzdoc]

Well it seems you arn't a newb or anything but, STRETCH THE STRINGS!!

tune to pitch, strech them, they will go flat, keep on doing it until it nearly dosent go down from pitch

You may know that but, o well...

[newbieguitarmaker]

Originally Posted by Ozzdoc

Well it seems you arn't a newb or anything but, STRETCH THE STRINGS!!

tune to pitch, strech them, they will go flat, keep on doing it until it nearly dosent go down from pitch

You may know that but, o well...

they are going sharp, stretching strings would help them not go flat. check if the tremolo is even when the body maybe the tremolo isnt straight

[Shredder87]

Does your tuning return slightly flat when doing divebombs?

I'm by no means an expert but it could be the Knife Edge, Studs, or Locking Nut - some people overtighten the nut and this destroys the thread on the allen wrench nuts.

Hope this helps... how is the new guitar, anyway?

Cheers

Smithy

[Dee]

Shredder87: The new guitar is amazing!

OK, Ozzdoc suggested that I'm not a n00b, and indeed I'm not, I've been playing for close to 3 decades, I usually set my own guitars up, and stuff like stretching the strings is always done thoroughly.

I've been through all the obvious stuff like making sure the saddle screws are all locked down, the bridge angle is perfect, locking nut isn't walking or too tightly locked, etc.

Depressing the trem bar doesn't return the tuning flat, it's spot on, only raising the bar returns the tuning sharp.

[john1880]

Here's what I would look for since you said it was after lowering the action.
1. Are the saddle screws touching the body? I've seen that happen. where they pertrude through the bottom of the trem and rub up against the body slightly. you'll see a mark on the body when you remove the trem.
2. Is the tremolo reasonbly level? If one post is higher than the other, it can cause this. try moving one post just a bit and see if it makes a difference.
3. check your locking nut and make sure the 2 screws that hold it down are secure.

john

[newbieguitarmaker]

Originally Posted by Dee

Shredder87: The new guitar is amazing!

OK, Ozzdoc suggested that I'm not a n00b, and indeed I'm not, I've been playing for close to 3 decades, I usually set my own guitars up, and stuff like stretching the strings is always done thoroughly.

I've been through all the obvious stuff like making sure the saddle screws are all locked down, the bridge angle is perfect, locking nut isn't walking or too tightly locked, etc.

Depressing the trem bar doesn't return the tuning flat, it's spot on, only raising the bar returns the tuning sharp.

wow almost 3 decades, ive been playing for a year and a half haha hm well idk what could be the problem if all of that looks perfect.

[Dee]

Originally Posted by john1880

Here's what I would look for since you said it was after lowering the action.
1. Are the saddle screws touching the body? I've seen that happen. where they pertrude through the bottom of the trem and rub up against the body slightly. you'll see a mark on the body when you remove the trem.
2. Is the tremolo reasonbly level? If one post is higher than the other, it can cause this. try moving one post just a bit and see if it makes a difference.
3. check your locking nut and make sure the 2 screws that hold it down are secure.

john

Hi John. Thanks for the advice. The lock nut is tight enough (don't want to over-tighten because it can crack the wood, but it's well secured). The bridge looks pretty nicely levelled, but I will try what you said. Thanks again man.

[ibanezcollector]

im guessing its the knife edges but what do I know LOL

But I read somewhere on this lovely internet that it was a common problem when the knife edges got worn..

The person you need to reply is Rich..

[Racerx2k]

Don't forget to check and see if the posts are secure and not wobbling, badly. Seen that happen on trem with non-locking studs.

[Dee]

As I said, all the obvious stuff has been checked. They are locking studs, btw, it's a 2001 model. Thanks though.

[john1880]

have you checked the knife edges and posts? i've found that it is usually something else. or if the post is bad, you may turn it and find a better spot in the post.
you'll find the problem.

[Dee]

As I only got it yesterday I haven't pulled the bridge out yet, I think I will before the next string change, though.

[john1880]

do you know the quick way of pulling out the trem?
http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech/setup/remove.htm

[sniperfrommars1]

Originally Posted by Dee

As I only got it yesterday I haven't pulled the bridge out yet, I think I will before the next string change, though.

Congrats on the guitar dee! Unfortunately it comes from one of the *problem years for edge tremolos*. Its at least a 90% chance *imo* that your tremolo has fat knife edges, this is of course unless they were modified by a previous owner. Applying the chapstick will help alot, but its likely the will need sharpened. NOw mind you on these guitars they dont look dull they are just FAT as in a bit to large tof loat correctly, thats why your experiencing it on pullup only . IT may be that you have bad studs, i havent had the experience rich has with them. But you should go over his post about those studs. Since your only having the problem on pullup the tremolo is binding up somewhere or your strings are giving (its possible that the saddles are a bit loose, but id oubt it considering the age of the guitar)