Trem and high E string going out of tune, please help!

[BluesGuyJ]

Hey all....


So my Lipe has a hipshot trem. It was just worked on and had frets leveled and a new setup done. As my tech has mentioned, he's not the best at setting up trems. He does great with floyds, but is not the best with trems.

Currently, it seems to be set up well, but the high e string comes out of tune when it is bent. It shifts from going sharp to flat at various points. Subtle use of the whammy and bending other strings, everything else holds alright. I've tried using the whammy bar to see if I can bring the guitar back to pitch by doing a little wiggle, but the high E remains out of tune, or worsens when I try to bring it back to pitch by further using the whammy, after a bend. Also, I can do double stops with the B and high E, and the high E holds fine in those. I dont think the high E string is returning properly at the nut or saddle? THe bridge seems to be returning fine, but this one string is getting caught up on something.

I tried detunning the string and pulling it out of the nut and placing it back in, as that solves the issue sometimes, but no dice. Should I try and get some lubricant for the nut? BTW, this has a bone nut.

 

[CTN]

Re: Trem and high E string going out of tune, please help!

First: Find a better tech.

Second: Are you sure the tuning peg is functioning correctly? Or maybe your string winding technique isn't providing a tight enough grip on the string? If those aren't issues, then get your new tech to look at specifically the nut slot and the saddle, and if there is one, a string retainer on the headstock.

the string is likely binding at one of those points. Look for any grooves or burrs on the saddle. If you find any, they need to be smoothed out and polished. There could be something similar at the nut. Might be able to reshape the string slot and be fine, if it's not a very deep groove. If it is very deep, then you might need a new nut. As for the string retainer any grooves there will also need to be smoothed out and polished, much like the saddle.

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: Trem and high E string going out of tune, please help!

yeah, I think it is time to find a new tech. I am going to bring this to Pat Matheneys tech next week. H'e s on the pricey said, but I've heard nothing but amazing things about this guy.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Trem and high E string going out of tune, please help!

Is it a carved top guitar with a floating two-point trem (Wilikinson or similar?)

I just went through a 4 year ordeal with the damn hipshot on a carved top LP with a two-point wilkinson trem. I brought it to a "professional" twice before but nobody could make it work. Some people suggested a locking nut, some suggested locking tuners, etc. The bottom line is nobody could get it right. Finally, 4 years later I brought it to these guys: http://madisonsguitars.com/ and Aaron found the problem to be the hipshot, as well as the bridge posts being slightly off on their adjustment. Now it's got a traditional claw in with 3 springs and it's really the first time it's ever been a stable guitar for me. So two things I learned: who knew the hipshot is actually the hip**** and taking an instrument to a true professional can fix even the most frustrating problem!

As far as the bone nut goes, you could try some big bends nut sauce, I now use graphite nuts so I kicked the stuff, but it's decent stuff. A little tiny bit is all you need though, most people put way too much on which isn't as effective.

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: Trem and high E string going out of tune, please help!

It's a 2 point contour hipshot tremolo and this guitar has hipshot locking tuners. Just after I made this post, the E came around and seems alright. Let's see if it goes back out of wack though. I am also looking into the Super V double locking trem system. Same concept as a Floyd, but it replace your traditional trem system... it's like $300 though

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Trem and high E string going out of tune, please help!

Pic?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Trem and high E string going out of tune, please help!

How old are the strings? How well is the top E locked in? When the frets were levelled, was anything done about the bridge height or, more importantly, the nut slots?