Members Tremolo Arm Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 I love my 62 reissue Strat. I really do. But I can't keep it in tune when I use the tremolo. And by the way using is an overstatement. I only gently caress is ala Gilmour and never dive. I've got he Strat set up according to Fender specs - 1/8'' off the body, 3 springs, both nut and saddles well lubed. The guitar plays in perfect tune when bending, but as soon as I tap the tremolo, the whole thing goes out of whack. This is what happens: Let's say the guitar is in tune. I tap the tremolo and B and G strings go sharp, D string goes flat. I then bend a few notes on the B and G srings and they both go flat. whereas the D returns to its original position more or less. I could have lived with going sharp when using the tremolo if the post tremolo bend was to restore the original tuning, but going flat with the post tremolo bend just makes the whole thing unusable. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lenduffy Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 Your nut needs attention...sounds like the strings are binding in the nut. Use some lubrication in the nut slots, or have them filed properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sean-Patrick Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 Nobody can. Floyd that mother{censored}er. (in all seriousness, nut lubrication is your friend) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members StompBoxLover Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 and/or GraphTech Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tremolo Arm Posted August 24, 2009 Author Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 and/or GraphTech Well, this is the exact product that I am using now and the nut is perfect - it was retro fitted. I think there is something going on at the bridge, but I just can't get it to work correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Ratae Corieltauvorum Posted August 24, 2009 Moderators Share Posted August 24, 2009 Well, this is the exact product that I am using now and the nut is perfect - it was retro fitted. I think there is something going on at the bridge, but I just can't get it to work correctly. Everything you describe says "nut problem" Why do you say the nut is perfect? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bebenavole Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 Well, this is the exact product that I am using now and the nut is perfect - it was retro fitted. I think there is something going on at the bridge, but I just can't get it to work correctly. i thought this was a joke, hahahahbig nut bends... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tremolo Arm Posted August 24, 2009 Author Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 Everything you describe says "nut problem" I take your word for it, but a new bone nut was cut and installed by a pro luthier only last year.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members darkcheef Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 I take your word for it, but a new bone nut was cut and installed by a pro luthier only last year.... Even pro Luthers screw up sometimes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cBc Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 Have you changed string gauge recently? Perhaps that...You have teh string treez? What type of tension for the trem springs? Maybe need a bit o tightening. Tho' as other mention, seems the nut has the issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DaleH Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 Have you tried setting it up like this.[YOUTUBE]O0Oyc6slYRc[/YOUTUBE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Invader.CC Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 Your nut needs attention...sounds like the strings are binding in the nut. Use some lubrication in the nut slots, or have them filed properly. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dr_Kuh Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 Turn the 4 middle trem screws counterclockwise for 1/2 or 3/4 a turn if you haven't done already Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cBc Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 Turn the 4 middle trem screws clockwise for 1/2 or 3/4 a turn if you haven't done already Don't you mean counter clockwise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dr_Kuh Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 yes of yourse I corrected it:facepalm: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kingswebe Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 This guitar is a re-issue of 1962 model. I hear it constantly that older Strat tremolo designs were infamous for not staying in tune. And the OP says he's had the nut worked on by a pro, and the OP has already been using that nut lube product, so the nut doesn't seem the LIKELY culprit. So, anybody else for thinking that prob is in the trem design itself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ashtray Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 THANKS! I gotta try this method. I never use the trem bar, but bend strings a lot. Usually I don't have tuning problems, but I'll set up one of my strats like this and keep the bar in, and see how it works. From the video though, it's tough to argue with his results! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cBc Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 dang Richie Blackmore's techie ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members aliensporebomb Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 That guy was insane. From 0:35-0:40 it was whammy madness andit was pretty much spot on when it was done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members aliensporebomb Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 Had to watch the video a second time, couldn't believe the abuse he wasgiving it and it was in better tune than I've ever seen a standard strat have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members StompBoxLover Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 amazing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tremolo Arm Posted August 24, 2009 Author Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 Yeah, I've seen this video and this definitely works if you are into current Mark Knopfler type of music where you very seldom bend. But the moment you bend your entire set up is out of whack, meaning that your ENTIRE solo is out of tune, simply because you can't use the whammy every 3 seconds. I'll give you asimple example - the riff to Are You Gonna Go My way features that bend on the G string to begin the sequence. How in the world are you going to play that in tune with this method?!? Very clever in theory but useless when put to practice in solo situations (or in fact in any situation where you need a simple bend). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members HELSTRUME Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 Really, your only solution is graphite nut/string trees, and locking tuners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Neon Soul Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 This guitar is a re-issue of 1962 model. I hear it constantly that older Strat tremolo designs were infamous for not staying in tune. And the OP says he's had the nut worked on by a pro, and the OP has already been using that nut lube product, so the nut doesn't seem the LIKELY culprit. So, anybody else for thinking that prob is in the trem design itself? I've got a 62 reissue and I use the trem alot and it stays in tune really well. There goes the design argument. The only way to keep it in tune is to set it up correctly. I agree with loosening the 4 inner screws and making sure the nut is cut right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ashasha Posted August 24, 2009 Members Share Posted August 24, 2009 Yeah, that video shows a great technique if you don't use any bends, but doing it that way never worked for me because I constantly bend notes. The only way I've gotten it even close was with a set of staggered locking tuners, removing the string trees and working the nut until it's perfect. No more than 50% of the string should be buried in any nut slot or else it will lead to binding. After doing all that I do my standard tuning/spring tension technique using a block to make sure that the balance is perfect. It still goes out of tune a bit if I wail on it like a madman, but a quick tug on the low E string and it usually pops right in. I have no idea why it's that string after battleing the G string for years, but that's the one that likes to go sharp on me now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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