|
|
Guitar Discussions -> Soliciting Tips for more tuning stability for Stratocaster
There are 13 messages in this thread.
You are currently looking at messages 1 to 10.
|
Soliciting Tips for more tuning stability for Stratocaster - Ludwig77 - 08:17 11-11-08
|
|
I have a traditional Strat with a tremolo (50's reissue) and it
doesn't stay in tune very well.
I'm soliciting tips on how to set it up, or even modify the instrument
to give it more tuning stability.
If I set the tremolo to be flush against the body cavity, it holds
tune better, but I'd really like to be able to use the tremolo to bend
notes up as well as down sometimes.
Are there things that I can do with replacing the string tree or
getting an LSR nut?
BTW, my guitar has locking tuners. Even though I minimize the string
wraps as a result of them, I don't see an improvement with tuning
stability because of them.
I'm also lining the nut with pencil lead every time I change the
strings....
|
|
|
|
Re: Soliciting Tips for more tuning stability for Stratocaster - RichCI - 08:26 11-11-08
|
|
On Nov 11, 8:17=A0am, Ludwig77 <gregjg...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I have a traditional Strat with a tremolo (50's reissue) and it
> doesn't stay in tune very well.
>
> I'm soliciting tips on how to set it up, or even modify the instrument
> to give it more tuning stability.
>
> If I set the tremolo to be flush against the body cavity, it holds
> tune better, but I'd really like to be able to use the tremolo to bend
> notes up as well as down sometimes.
>
> Are there things that I can do with replacing the string tree or
> getting an LSR nut?
>
> BTW, my guitar has locking tuners. Even though I minimize the string
> wraps as a result of them, I don't see an improvement with tuning
> stability because of them.
>
> I'm also lining the nut with pencil lead every time I change the
> strings....
Sounds like you've already done about everything that can be done with
a vintage style trem. The only other suggestion I can make is to try
a little light oil in the nut slots instead of the graphite; I've had
pretty good luck with that. Those old style trems are not very
conducive to dive bombs and extreme Dimebag Darrel maneuvers though
but work great for lighter surf style playing so I wouldn't expect to
ever be able to do anything too crazy with it.
|
|
|
|
Re: Soliciting Tips for more tuning stability for Stratocaster - White Spirit - 08:29 11-11-08
|
|
Ludwig77 wrote:
> I have a traditional Strat with a tremolo (50's reissue) and it
> doesn't stay in tune very well.
> I'm soliciting tips on how to set it up, or even modify the instrument
> to give it more tuning stability.
> If I set the tremolo to be flush against the body cavity, it holds
> tune better, but I'd really like to be able to use the tremolo to bend
> notes up as well as down sometimes.
> Are there things that I can do with replacing the string tree or
> getting an LSR nut?
> BTW, my guitar has locking tuners. Even though I minimize the string
> wraps as a result of them, I don't see an improvement with tuning
> stability because of them.
> I'm also lining the nut with pencil lead every time I change the
> strings....
Make sure that the nut is cut correctly.
Don't use the string tree for the third and fourth strings if your
guitar has one.
Increasing the tension on the spring claw for the tremolo block benefits
tuning stability. You can add another spring or change the
configuration so that it looks like /|\ rather than ||| when looking at
the tremolo cavity.
Use Fender Super Bullet (TM) strings.
Use pencil in the tremolo block where the ball or bullet ends rest.
Use heavier strings.
While playing, pull on the strings with your right hand after using the
tremolo when you have the opportunity.
Other than that, you'd have to get a locking system, which will change
the way the guitar sounds.
|
|
|
|
Re: Soliciting Tips for more tuning stability for Stratocaster - White Spirit - 08:33 11-11-08
|
|
RichCI wrote:
> Sounds like you've already done about everything that can be done with
> a vintage style trem. The only other suggestion I can make is to try
> a little light oil in the nut slots instead of the graphite; I've had
> pretty good luck with that. Those old style trems are not very
> conducive to dive bombs and extreme Dimebag Darrel maneuvers though
> but work great for lighter surf style playing so I wouldn't expect to
> ever be able to do anything too crazy with it.
When everything is set up correctly, I can slap my tremolo around like
one of Romeo's bitches and have it stay in tune. Occasionally, I'll
need to hook one of the strings with my little finger and give it a tug,
but it's no hassle and better than using a locking system.
|
|
|
|
Re: Soliciting Tips for more tuning stability for Stratocaster - RichCI - 09:36 11-11-08
|
|
On Nov 11, 8:33=A0am, White Spirit <wspi...@homechoice.co.uk> wrote:
> RichCI wrote:
> > Sounds like you've already done about everything that can be done with
> > a vintage style trem. =A0The only other suggestion I can make is to try
> > a little light oil in the nut slots instead of the graphite; I've had
> > pretty good luck with that. =A0Those old style trems are not very
> > conducive to dive bombs and extreme Dimebag Darrel maneuvers though
> > but work great for lighter surf style playing so I wouldn't expect to
> > ever be able to do anything too crazy with it.
>
> When everything is set up correctly, I can slap my tremolo around like
> one of Romeo's bitches and have it stay in tune. =A0Occasionally, I'll
> need to hook one of the strings with my little finger and give it a tug,
> but it's no hassle and better than using a locking system.
My 57 RI stays in tune pretty well too (well, it did until the arm
broke on it, but that's another story) but my MIM Standard instantly
goes out of tune so badly and that I don't even bother to put the arm
on it.
|
|
|
|
Re: Soliciting Tips for more tuning stability for Stratocaster - White Spirit - 10:06 11-11-08
|
|
RichCI wrote:
> My 57 RI stays in tune pretty well too (well, it did until the arm
> broke on it, but that's another story) but my MIM Standard instantly
> goes out of tune so badly and that I don't even bother to put the arm
> on it.
It might be worth filing the bridge saddles to ensure that they're
smooth. I do find that some tremolo systems are a little bit better
than others, but with a proper setup I find the tuning is quite stable.
|
|
|
|
Re: Soliciting Tips for more tuning stability for Stratocaster - Random Excess - 10:14 11-11-08
|
|
On Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:17:48 -0800 (PST), Ludwig77
<gregjgman@gmail.com> wrote:
>I have a traditional Strat with a tremolo (50's reissue) and it
>doesn't stay in tune very well.
>
>I'm soliciting tips on how to set it up, or even modify the instrument
>to give it more tuning stability.
>
>If I set the tremolo to be flush against the body cavity, it holds
>tune better, but I'd really like to be able to use the tremolo to bend
>notes up as well as down sometimes.
>
>Are there things that I can do with replacing the string tree or
>getting an LSR nut?
>
>BTW, my guitar has locking tuners. Even though I minimize the string
>wraps as a result of them, I don't see an improvement with tuning
>stability because of them.
>
>I'm also lining the nut with pencil lead every time I change the
>strings....
Block the freakin' trem. Them thangs always seem to cause tuning
problems. If you don't wanna do that, use powdered graphite (hardware
store) instead of pencil lead in the nut slots and on the bridge
saddles. You might could also try those teflon "string saver"
saddles. What gauge strings you usin'? The pro Strat cats I've
encountered mostly use really light gauge strings, 008s mostly. It
might well be worth you while to give premier guitar and amp tech Rich
Koerner at Time Electronics a call.
http://www.timeelect.com
Tejas Pedro
|
|
|
|
Re: Soliciting Tips for more tuning stability for Stratocaster - Amazing Disgrace - 10:39 11-11-08
|
|
On Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:17:48 -0800 (PST), Ludwig77 wrote:
> I have a traditional Strat with a tremolo (50's reissue) and it
> doesn't stay in tune very well.
>
> I'm soliciting tips on how to set it up, or even modify the instrument
> to give it more tuning stability.
>
Throw the whammy bar out the window and tighten the bridge down just a
little bit. Works great for me. I've never played a Strat with a whang bar
that I could keep in tune for more than one song.
|
|
|
|
Re: Soliciting Tips for more tuning stability for Stratocaster - Flasherly - 11:24 11-11-08
|
|
On Nov 11, 8:17 am, Ludwig77 <gregjg...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I have a traditional Strat with a tremolo (50's reissue) and it
> doesn't stay in tune very well.
>
> I'm soliciting tips on how to set it up, or even modify the instrument
> to give it more tuning stability.
>
> If I set the tremolo to be flush against the body cavity, it holds
> tune better, but I'd really like to be able to use the tremolo to bend
> notes up as well as down sometimes.
>
> Are there things that I can do with replacing the string tree or
> getting an LSR nut?
>
> BTW, my guitar has locking tuners. Even though I minimize the string
> wraps as a result of them, I don't see an improvement with tuning
> stability because of them.
I've got those on a Nashville candy non-piezo Tele, holes drilled down
into the middle of the tuning key posts to stick in guitar wire. Even
without tremolos, every string string change means extensively
stretching fresh strings, which can go on forever with straight
steel. Eventually, practically, they settle well within a 25cents of
a #/b, unlike wire-wraps over 17 with less pitch drift, although
they'll still fluctuate more. Try it with the 10 -- keep on
stretching the string by yanking it upwards three or four times, then
tuning back into pitch. Once the worst slop is out, continuing,
adjusting the tuning for unlimited stretch by tighter tuning
increments doesn't stop until it snaps or turns to powder, whichever
comes first. I buy Rogue string by the gross these days, stuffed in
long plastic-sealed bags. Destroyable unwound steel strings that
quickly turn to black, and never last more than a couple sessions.
|
|
|
|
Re: Soliciting Tips for more tuning stability for Stratocaster - Claude V. Lucas - 11:28 11-11-08
|
|
In article <afb4eda5-3c14-4769-a0d2-b492e52b5731@t18g2000prt.googlegroups.com>,
Ludwig77 <gregjgman@gmail.com> wrote:
>I have a traditional Strat with a tremolo (50's reissue) and it
>doesn't stay in tune very well.
>
>I'm soliciting tips on how to set it up, or even modify the instrument
>to give it more tuning stability.
>
>If I set the tremolo to be flush against the body cavity, it holds
>tune better, but I'd really like to be able to use the tremolo to bend
>notes up as well as down sometimes.
>
>Are there things that I can do with replacing the string tree or
>getting an LSR nut?
>
>BTW, my guitar has locking tuners. Even though I minimize the string
>wraps as a result of them, I don't see an improvement with tuning
>stability because of them.
>
>I'm also lining the nut with pencil lead every time I change the
>strings....
Couple of things to check.
1. Make sure the strings aren't binding in the nut slots or on the
bridge saddles or string tree. You may need to file the nut slots
or smooth off rough surfaces on the saddles or tree.
2. Make sure that the tension of the tremolo springs balances the
tension of the strings.
3. Make sure that the tremolo pivot screws don't bind.
4. Make sure that the strings are wound correctly on the tuners
and that the tuners aren't slipping
5. Use Big Bends Nut Sauce instead of pencil or powdered graphite
or chicken grease or used motor oil or other lesser substances.
<http://www.bigbends.com/>;
lube up the pivot screws on the bridge along with the nut slots.
More info here:
http://www.fender.com/support/stratocaster.php
<http://www.kinman.com/html/toneWorkshop/perfectGuitar.htm#stayingInTune>;
|
|
|
|
|
|
