Adjusting a Kahler so it doesn't float (i.e. pitch-down bending only)

[Alex_SF]

I have this guitar with a Kahler on it, which is a bitch to keep in tune because of the floating whammy action -- you tune one string up to pitch and the rest all go a little flat because of the reduced tension on them.

 

I have a couple Strat-types, the tremolos of which I just tighten the springs on until they are one-way only operation (loosen strings / bend pitch down, but no bending pitch up), and they stay in tune great and are easy to correct pitch on one string at a time mid-song. I'd like to do that to this one with the Kahler to make it giggable: is it just a matter of tightening the main cam spring way down or is there more to it than that? Or is it even possible?

[wammi]

Alex, Did you want to stop the tremolo action altogether or are you just tired of chasing the tuning after a drop tune change? I have been using Kahlers since I started on guitar. I own Wammi World and also work for Kahler as the Part dept., Customer service manager. On my flat mount Kahlers, I can drop tune the Big E to a D with the knob but only if you are using big strings like a 52 or something like that and bass springs. This way...the heavier the string set is, the less you will go out of tune if you drop tune 1 string. Otherwise part number 8396 is a cam stop bolt which acts like a stilt. See this page: http://www.wammiworld.com/u8200.html for details about the drop stop and buy it from here instead: http://www.kahlerparts.com/Part_Pages/8396.htm Also you should change your springs every 3 years or the springs get fatigued and don't act like they should. For you, I recommend the heavies since you want more stability for tuning changes. See: http://www.kahlerparts.com/Part_Pages/8413.htm

 

Wammi J.

www.wammiworld.com

email direct: wammi@wammiworld.com

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[Alex_SF]

Hey there -- thanks for checking in: I was actually cruising around your site earlier today.

 

 

Alex, Did you want to stop the tremolo action altogether or are you just tired of chasing the tuning after a drop tune change?

 

 

I don't want to stop the trem action altogether; I just want to stop chasing the tuning after not only a drop tune change, but even a fine-tuning, which can throw other strings out of whack. I have my Strats set up for dive-only; I'd like to do the same with my Kahler. (I'm not into Vai / Satriani squealing acrobatics; I just use the whammy for dives.)

 

My unit has the set-screw that locks the action altogether; I don't use it, however.

 

(Note: I've also been having trouble with general tuning stability after bends and such, which I think I've traced to the string lock at the nut. I think one block holding down two differently-sized strings (especially the plain 3rd and wound 4th) is a recipe for trouble. I've solved that problem for now by just unlocking the string lock and keeping my nut lubricated with graphite.)

 

 

Otherwise part number 8396 is a cam stop bolt which acts like a stilt. See this page: http://www.wammiworld.com/u8200.html for details about the drop stop and buy it from here instead: http://www.kahlerparts.com/Part_Pages/8396.htm

 

 

OK, that thing looks like it might be just what I need. I was looking into just blocking it with a piece of wood glued into the cavity, but I'm going to check that part no. 8396 out now. Installation looks a little more complex; it'd be nice to do it without removing wood, but I may just hand it over to my shop.

 

 

Also you should change your springs every 3 years or the springs get fatigued and don't act like they should. For you, I recommend the heavies since you want more stability for tuning changes.

 

 

That's a good idea; I should probably look into that.

 

Thanks again!