what is close enough, on a lo pro edge?

[tony777]

Hello!

I have a Jem 90 which I think is NOT close enough returning to pitch, when I use the whammy bar.
When I dive it completely, and raise it as sharp as possible, the G-string(which is worst) have a 60 cent difference.
I have gone through all the stuff I could get my eyes on, such as studs, nuts intonation saddles, even changed springs, tuned the guitar down to DGCFAD, with 10-52 strings, and still it isn't better than this, my other lo-pro Ibanezes, is not as bad.

I was thinking..... could the jem90 have a softer wood, that can't stand the pressure, is the neck too thin to handle a whammy bar? etc....

Any suggestions?

What do you think is close enough to good return to pitch?

thanks
Tony

[Rich]

Simple, if it's not close enough for you it's not close enough. If you haven't thinned the knife edges out it won't matter how good the studs are.

[tony777]

Actually, I've thinned out the knife edges, since I posted for a few hours ago, and it actuall helped with approx 30 cents on the G string, and the other strings pretty great, so it was a huge improvement.
(Thanks to your site, Rich, I read it again, and will probably read it again and again)
I also figured out it has the old studs, but as I recall, they should be ok since they're from 98.

btw 30 cents on the G string is too much, though it's about 15 cents each way.


Anyone out there who has a perfect guitar that handles all abuse?
I would like that, but what's the average out of tune ratio on these guitars.

Thanks
Tony

[Rich]

The studs aren't OK, they suck, replace with the new ones and you'll see even more improvement. Then a glob of Chapstick in the groove after it's all dialed in and you'll see even a bit more improvement. Not saying your G is going to come back perfect, just a boatload closer.

[Fry]

I have a dbk that returns to perfect pitch. I have a strobe tuner too! I can beat the crap out of my guitar and it will always return to perfect.

[Rich]

After a pull up test too? [doubtful]

[nuno]

ouch!

[tony777]

Originally Posted by Rich

The studs aren't OK, they suck, replace with the new ones and you'll see even more improvement. Then a glob of Chapstick in the groove after it's all dialed in and you'll see even a bit more improvement. Not saying your G is going to come back perfect, just a boatload closer.

I have seven Ibanezes with lo-pro, and only one is with the studs with the vmark.
Do you mean that I should replace the studs of all the other guitars?
Or is it between a period of time they made those who sucks?

TK

[tony777]

after another fine tuning with my file, and watching very closely where I have to file the knife, and adding some lipbalm to the knife and studs, I'm down to 20 cent on G string after heavy bar abuse, and still returning to + - 5 after adjusting (push up, if I dive, and vice versa)

Incredible approvement for the guitar.

Just wanted you to know

Tony

[Rich]

The studs never had a good profile. It is possible to get a decent float with just filling alone but it's not the norm. I don't put new studs in every used guitar I sell but I do file the knives. I'm always surprised when one has exceptional return with the old studs.

[tony777]

Well, here we go!

I got the new studs mounted to my Jem90ham,
and this is incredible, the guitar that was a drag for less than a month ago, is now playing perfect, (well, almost)
but it's coming back to +/- 5 cents with HEAVY bar abuse.
So thanks to you Rich, this guitar is a monster.
(and by the way, did you know how cool it looks? lol)

You might hate me now, but it has a tonezone at bridge, and is wired like a 2020, the middle single coil is just there for finery.
But at least, the tone zone has the dimarzio logo.

Well, at least I am VERY happy with this guitar now.


Tony

[Rich]

As long as it's close enough