Restringing & Retuning

Replacing the strings on a JEM/UV guitar can be difficult if done incorrectly. The floating bridge makes it difficult to stretch the strings, because as you tune one string, the others are effected. Sort of like a seesaw.

You must factor into account the string tension necessary to tune to pitch. Tuning a floating bridge is repetitious, and if you retune ONE string you must check all others for proper tune. I tune from low to high, but restring from high to low. That is tune the low-E first, to the A, D, etc.. If I fine-tune the D, I recheck the E, A then D again. Every time you fine-tune a string, all others will change. That is if you flatten the Low-E, other strings will go sharp... the price you pay for a floating bridge.

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Restringing a Tuned Guitar

Notes:

• Unlock the nut.
• Remove one string at a time. I start with the high-E. This allows you to find the relative tension necessary for tuning and allows the high strings to stretch naturally as the low strings are removed & replaced.
• Wind the string tightly around post, using several wraps. This will eliminate string slippage at the post and make it easier for the strings to stretch.
• An electronic tuner is highly recommended, because tuning a guitar to itself when using a floating tremolo is nearly impossible. Plus, you will never accurately tune to play along with CD's, etc. because you will be a few cents off pitch on each string.

Changing the Strings

• Remove the high-E, replace with new string. Tighten the string at the bridge, leave the nut unlocked. gently pull the string at the 12th fret to stretch/bend the string and seat the string at the post. Retune and stretch/bend. Repeat 3-5 times until the tuning holds fairly well.
• Remove the B-string, replace with new string, stretch/retune as above. Now, after the B-string is tuned, retune the high-E. DO NOT CONTINUE replacing the G-string until both the E and the B are tuned. (disregard the other old strings).
• Remove the G-string, replace with new string, stretch/retune as above. Now, after the G-string is tuned, retune the higher strings one at a time. DO NOT CONTINUE replacing the G-string until both the E and the B are tuned. Note that I tune the G, fine tune the B, fine tune the E, recheck the G, fine tune the B, fine tune the E, recheck the G, etc.. until all 3 are finely tuned. (disregard the other old strings D-A-E).
• Remove the D-string, replace with new string, stretch/retune as above. Now, after the D-string is tuned, retune the higher strings one at a time. DO NOT CONTINUE replacing the D-string until the D-G-B-E strings are tuned to pitch. Use the same repetitive manner as above. Remember if you fine-tune ANY string you must check all others for proper tune.
• Remove the A-string, replace with new string, stretch/retune as above. Now, after the A-string is tuned, retune the higher strings one at a time. DO NOT CONTINUE replacing the A-string until the A-D-G-B-E strings are tuned to pitch. Use the same repetitive manner as above. Remember if you fine-tune ANY string you must check all others for proper tune. HERE IS WHERE IT GETS REPETITIVE and tedious... but keep at it. It will pay dividends later.
• Remove the low E-string, replace with new string, stretch/retune as above. Now, after the A-string is tuned, retune the higher strings one at a time. Remember if you fine-tune ANY string you must check all others for proper tune.

• After a semi-tedious process, the guitar will be in tune, and more importantly, will be easy to keep tuned.
• I keep the nut unlocked overnight, because you will have to fine-tune as the strings stretch out. Play some chords for 5-10 minutes and retune from low-E to high-E.
• The next day the nut is ready to be locked after retuning all strings again.

Fine-tuning a Guitar with Stretched Strings

• Unlock the nut, making sure the strings freely pass thru the nut.
• Tune the low-E to correct pitch.
• Tune the A-string. Recheck the low-E string. Recheck/fine-tune/repeat until both the E and A are tuned.
• Tune the D-string. Recheck the low-E and fine-tune, recheck the A and fine-tune, recheck the D and fine-tune. Recheck/tune the E, A, D, and repeat until all are in perfect tuning.
• Tune the G-string. Recheck the low-E and fine-tune, recheck the A and fine-tune, recheck the D and fine-tune, recheck the G and fine-tune. Recheck/tune the E, A, D, G and repeat until all are in perfect tuning.
• Tune the B-string. Recheck the low-E and fine-tune, recheck/fine-tune the A, recheck/fine-tune the D, recheck/fine-tune the G, recheck/fine-tune the B. Recheck/tune the E, A, D, G, B and repeat until all are in perfect tuning.
• Tune the high E-string. Recheck the low-E and fine-tune, recheck/fine-tune the A, recheck/fine-tune the D, recheck/fine-tune the G, recheck/fine-tune the B, recheck/fine-tune the high-E. Recheck/tune the E, A, D, G, B, E and repeat until all are in perfect tuning.
• Good luck... with practice it still TAKES TIME!!!!!!