Why do different strings dive to different pitches?

[Driver Blues]

If I were to wind my own strings so that they all had the same tension, or +/- .01 lbs, would they all dive in tune? I have a locking nut and a Floyd Rose, so it would stand to reason that they would all dive the same pitches, right?

I don't have the capability to make wound strings, so I'd be using Nashville tuning.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Why do different strings dive to different pitches?

Because each string is at a slightly different tension. The lower strings don’t have to tune as high as the treble strings. So some strings have more of a way to go to get slack.


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[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Why do different strings dive to different pitches?

Even if they were the same tension, they wouldn’t dive evenly. Notes aren’t symmetrically spaced.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Why do different strings dive to different pitches?

The only trem that can do this is the Steinberger TransTrem, and it was a thing of beauty. It was also an engineering marvel, too. You could also pre-set the trem to different points so it could save several tunings. It was remarkable, that could use more development so the technology could be used on other guitars as an aftermarket part.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Why do different strings dive to different pitches?

Even if they were the same tension, they wouldn’t dive evenly. Notes aren’t symmetrically spaced.

They might dive the same amount. Has nothing to do with notes.

Ned Steinberger designed a trem that keeps chords in tune when you drop it. He just adjusted the ratio for each string.


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[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Why do different strings dive to different pitches?

I remember getting a Van Halen tab book way back when, and it explained that Eddie used a Trans Trem for "Summer Nights." It sounded really cool. I'm watching a video of Ned Steinberger showing how to set one up, and all I can think is how much fun it would be to watch the guys who can't deal with Floyds try to tackle this.

Edit- I'll swap tunings on my floating bridge guitars all the time, and can have the bridge giving a whole step of pull up on the G in about 10 minutes. After watching more of the video, there is NO way in hell I'd ever buy one of these things:

The procedure to lock the bridge in different positions is super janky, and doesn't work properly several times in the demo.

The floating position returns to pitch +/- 7 cents.

When using the trem, if you slowly return to neutral from a dive, it will return flat (or sharp from a raised pitch).

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Why do different strings dive to different pitches?

The only trem that can do this is the Steinberger TransTrem, and it was a thing of beauty. It was also an engineering marvel, too. You could also pre-set the trem to different points so it could save several tunings. It was remarkable, that could use more development so the technology could be used on other guitars as an aftermarket part.

I always wanted to see one to figure out how the darn thing worked.... But no one ever brought one in the shop. Apparently, it's pre-adjusted from the factory to never need maintenance.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Why do different strings dive to different pitches?

I always wanted to see one to figure out how the darn thing worked.... But no one ever brought one in the shop. Apparently, it's pre-adjusted from the factory to never need maintenance.

Watch along with me:

Ned explains it in great detail.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Why do different strings dive to different pitches?

My TransTrem 3 (on the ZT3, above), returns in tune perfectly, and was able to 'snap' into 5 different tunings, in tune all the time. It was wild to watch the strings bend at a different rate, and fun to end a song in A on a G chord and bend up to the A, perfectly in tune. The TransTrem was the most amazing thing on a very lackluster guitar, though. I ended up trading it.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Why do different strings dive to different pitches?

^ I’ll defer to your actual experience with it, but check out the video. It looks like playing that game Mousetrap.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Why do different strings dive to different pitches?

Yeah, you have to set it up, and every month or so, go through that process. You get good at it, and it can be done in about 5 minutes. It is absolutely worth it.

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Why do different strings dive to different pitches?

Watch along with me: Ned explains it in great detail.

He might explain how to set it up, but he did NOT explain how it worked. I want to take one apart and discern the design and mechanics of the thing.

I spent about 10 minutes talking to Ned at a guitar makers convention in Easton, Pennsylvania back in the 80's. Super smart cat, but kinda boring (which is no crime). How many here know his connection to the "real world" is through furniture design?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Why do different strings dive to different pitches?

He might explain how to set it up, but he did NOT explain how it worked. I want to take one apart and discern the design and mechanics of the thing.

I spent about 10 minutes talking to Ned at a guitar makers convention in Easton, Pennsylvania back in the 80's. Super smart cat, but kinda boring (which is no crime). How many here know his connection to the "real world" is through furniture design?

I do! He is an engineer, not a musician. So he sometimes gets into very obscure details about design- that mean the world to him- that might not mean a lot to musicians. Fun guy to talk to, and really loves to answer questions like 'why did you do it this way?'

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Why do different strings dive to different pitches?

I spent about 10 minutes talking to Ned at a guitar makers convention in Easton, Pennsylvania back in the 80's. Super smart cat, but kinda boring (which is no crime). How many here know his connection to the "real world" is through furniture design?

I hung out with him at the A.S.I.A. Symposium back in ‘95. My business partner at the time worked for him building the first few NS Double Basses. He’s a nice guy. Very smart. Another treat was talking to Ken Parker for about an hour. Very clever people.


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[OLDERBUDWISER]

Re: Why do different strings dive to different pitches?

Watch along with me:

Ned explains it in great detail.

I wonder if that evertune bridge is similar?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Why do different strings dive to different pitches?

He might explain how to set it up, but he did NOT explain how it worked. I want to take one apart and discern the design and mechanics of the thing.

I guess the bit about raising and lowering the claw determining the rate at which each string detunes was good enough for me

Seriously though, it is a cool device, and I'd like to look under the hood, as it were.

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Why do different strings dive to different pitches?

I wonder if that evertune bridge is similar?

Might be the same principle, but from the drawings I've seen - different mechanisms. That thing is a real can of worms.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Why do different strings dive to different pitches?

I don't think the Evertune and the TransTrem have the same aim.