[Chud]

I cannot figure this one out so turning to the forum!

I have an interesting tuning issue with my RG1880 J Custom - when doing a new setup on the guitar (changing string gauges - not by much, 10-46 down to 9-46) I took the locking nut off to check shims etc (there are none). On putting it back (securely) I noticed that when divebombing the guitar returns sharp. Never happened before this setup.

Doing the usual Ibanezrules tech setup checks - good stud lubrication etc.

On unlocking the locking nut the guitar goes back in tune. If I divebomb the guitar without the nut locked down it actually stays in tune pretty much perfectly. So I'm guessing this is something to do with the locking nut. I can't see the nut shifting (whether it's doing it a tiny amount I'm not sure) so any ideas on what might be the cause and solution to this one?!

 

[Rich]

If you dive and get sharp return that goes back in tune with a pullup it's a loose nut

 

[Chud]

If you dive and get sharp return that goes back in tune with a pullup it's a loose nut

The nut hex screws are pretty tight on the back - wouldn't want to crank them down any more. So what would you do in that case?

 

[Rich]

Does it come back in tune when you pull up?

 

[Chud]

Does it come back in tune when you pull up?

Hmm, comes a bit back in. If divebombing goes sharp by a 1/4 to 1/2 step note; pulling the trem back brings it back in to maybe 1/8 sharp (but then I know you'd usually dive it a bit as they would tend to return sharp on a pull back - just diving causes it to go sharper! ) Again - unlocking the nut brings it back in tune completely. The nut pads feel tighter then when I locked them down as well which is interesting.

 

[Rich]

Anytime you dive and it returns sharp it should be a loose nut. It should pull back into tune on pullup though.

 

[Chud]

Anytime you dive and it returns sharp it should be a loose nut. It should pull back into tune on pullup though.

Having put a different new set of strings on - pull up does seem to bring it back in tune. In this case to cause it to stay (other than just giving it a pull up all the time!) are there any little tricks to keep it from wandering?

Noticed another guitar (Edge trem) doing a similar thing today - not sure if hummidity/cold did something I guess [rather freezing in the UK these days]. Big ol' creak sound by the nut it wasn't doing before when divebombing. Nut bolts on the back of the neck are snug-tight so wouldn't want to go any further on it!
Was reading your bit here:https://www.ibanezrules.com/tech/setup/tuning_stability.htm#:~:text=2. A loose,ain't walking either. ;)

Only other thing I can think is I've tightened down the string retainer bars on them both to bring the back of the string in contact with the nut - never really cared much about that part before.

Perhaps also the direction of the lock washer?! (although only the J Custom has tooth lock washers, the other guitar doesn't has just washers)

 

[Rich]

The J Custom has a volute, tighten it hard.

 

[Chud]

The J Custom has a volute, tighten it hard.

Bizarrely doing that made it go sharp more drastically on a dive - and pulling up on the trem doesn't really return it back to pitch. Can't get it back to the state it was before when it was returning to pitch on a pull up now

Unlocking the pads does pull it back to pitch though. Keeping the pads unlocked the trem stays in tune pretty well, even on dives.

String retainer bar being screwed down a bit further wouldn't cause strings to pull the nut back on a heavy dive? Never really messed with them before but only just started to take note of it

Appreciate the troubleshooting help!

 

[Rich]

What happens behind the nut means nothing. Your problem is in the nut moving somewhere if it's fine without pads.

 

[Chud]

What happens behind the nut means nothing. Your problem is in the nut moving somewhere if it's fine without pads.

Hmm but if there are no pads locked and you dive bomb wouldn't that cause a shift through the same effect - nut would move back = tighter strings = sharp? Or the pads unlocked does nothing but the pads locked pulls the string back through the pads?

Rather flummoxed still. Cranking those hex screws down doesn't seem to stop it going rather sharp on a dive - but it does stop it coming back to tune on a pull up interestingly

 

[Rich]

Why, the pads are loose the strings move freely [sort of]

 

[3bolt79]

If you are having to retune it after locking down the pads on the nut, the notes are sharp lower the string retention bar until you get it to stay in tune without having to use the fine tuners, then it is in the spot it needs to be.

 

[Chud]

UPDATE: For people interested I think I've resolved this

Not sure if it's a coincidence or what (I have had the heating on in the UK today...) but I slacked the strings right down, undid the locking nut from the back and shifted it the most miniscule amount (imperceivable) towards the treble side of the fretboard. We're talking barely 0.005".
Cranked the nuts back as suggested above by the volute and gave it a dive or three and the strings returned pretty much to pitch (a tiny bit sharp on the bass strings but we'll see... At least not a 1/4 step sharp anyway)

The other guitar I did a similar thing to and the creak sound gone completely and it holds tune perfectly. Again - possibly just a coincidence as I've had the ol' heating on.

Will monitor but hope that's the trick. Cheers all!

 

[jb4674]

It's an Id-10T error.