interesting tuning issue with Strat; help me out!

[Chickenwings]

Re: interesting tuning issue with Strat; help me out!

So I have a 2008 American STD with a maglock trem stabilizing unit. It has the same purpose as a tremsetter; it holds place while you bend strings so others do not go out of tune at the same time and the bridge always returns to the zero point. Well, when I bend the B or high E strings, the strings do not fall back into standard pitch and are usually a little sharp or flat. Pressing down on the whammy bar and returning to the zero point, or actually pressing on the string behind the nut brings the strings back into tune. From this observation, is it safe to say that the strings are getting caught up in the nut and I need to widen the string slots in the nut?

Ive foud that with any trem (apart from ones with locking nuts), you have to choose whether the axe pulls back into tune from either bending or diving. Currently yours is set up so that diving brings it back in, but because of that, bending makes it go out. My axes are set up for the opposite, so that if i do use the trem to the point where it goes out, i just quickly pull or bend the out of tune string and it pops back in. This is also what eddive van halen did before he started using floyds. Even with the best slotted and well lubricated nuts, there is always this trade off. It comes down to how you stretch your strings. If you choose to do the technique going round on you tube by that italian guitarist, then you dive bomb, retune, divebomb, retune and repeat until divebombing makes the strings pull into tune. The opposite technique is bend up 3 frets, retune, bend up, retune and repeat. Either was is as good as the other, it just comes down to which one is more important to you: that the strings stay in tune after bending, or if they stay in tune after divebombing.

 

[SJ318]

Re: interesting tuning issue with Strat; help me out!

What gibson175 said.
Just want to restate that a floating trem is your best bet for overall returning to zero point, it gives all the strings together a chance to resettle together after a pull or push. If you read that incredibly long post of mine, I must say, I can flatten the strings on my Strat and have them come back in tune close enough that they still sound in tune with all chords, bar or open.
But they would not be perfect on a strobe. Some would, but all very very close.
SJB

 

[raystone]

Re: interesting tuning issue with Strat; help me out!

Try big bends nut sauce also the nut may have to be touched up with nut files especially if your using thicker gauge strings also if strings are going flat tighten the claw if they're going sharp loosen the claw

 

[SJ318]

Re: interesting tuning issue with Strat; help me out!

Mr. raystone,
Have you found that to be a fact, about tightening or loosening the claw? Seems like they would all sort themselves out on a floating trem, loose or tighter springs, with all other things being equal: nut sauce, good nut work, set up, tight saddles, etc. Not criticizing, just curious.
SJB

 

[dotsdad]

Re: interesting tuning issue with Strat; help me out!

Gun lube works like a motherf*cker. A gun nut buddy of mine gave me some and I love it! It is made of oil and graphite, and is easy to apply. Sorry to sound like an infomercial, but I love it on my Strats! http://www.amazon.com/Sentry-Solutions-HI-SLIP-GREASE-Syringe/dp/B0012QUKXS

 

[SJ318]

Re: interesting tuning issue with Strat; help me out!

dotsdad,
I was told to buy a gun from my Dr. No sh*t, he felt with my disabilities and where I live, I should have one. SO, I wound up talking guitars with some guy at a gun store, and we got on the subject of Nut sauce,etc., He about pulled me out of the phone for some special mix of gun oil he mad for himself for his Fender.
I can't get there, as I can't drive, but I still have his name in my book. Some kind of "Tactical Lubricant" he called it.
SJ

 

[dotsdad]

Re: interesting tuning issue with Strat; help me out!

Yep. The link I posted above. Is the gun lube I use to keep my guit a r in tune. It's basically machine oil and graphite. Probably the same thing your buddy at the gun ship uses. Amazon will deliver it for you

 

[SJ318]

Re: interesting tuning issue with Strat; help me out!

dotsdad,
It is on or I should say in my cart as we speak. I buy most things from Amazon (again-I can't drive). They have a lot of guitar stuff.
On Amazon it is a tack on bonus item only, so I am thinking of getting another TwangBanger, so when I do, I will add at least 4-5 of them on, they are cheap and say that their formula doesn't run, and doesn't evaporate or collect grime as easily, this all sounds great, because the gun owners I know (2) are fanatical about their gear, maybe more than guitarists, as guns take a huge beating every time a shot is fired, from the little I know anyway. Thanks for the tip!
SJBuffington

 

[dotsdad]

Re: interesting tuning issue with Strat; help me out!

A little goes a looooooooong way. You don't need 4 or 5. I have been using the same tube for about a year now, and I change strings often.

 

[raystone]

Re: interesting tuning issue with Strat; help me out!

its in the guitar player repair bible.the tension on the springs has to equal out the string because it floats.