Still fighting my Axis action/tremolo

**chrismilne** · 05-13-2018, 04:28 AM

i've posted in the past about this guitar but now its much worse. I've always struggled to get great action on this guitar it seems to rise by the 12 fret, ive changed the neck relief many times (maybe i need a slight shim adjustment, not sure). Now, I can't seem to get the tremolo in line. I used to use 9-42 and will probably go back to these at some point, however i've been working on a project thats in drop C and they were too loose. After struggling with them for a while i tried the heavy bottom strings, those didn't work out for many reasons, so i went to a hybrid set of 9-46 (same i have on my Silhouette Special since i got it). I've completely given up on using this guitar with the drop C so i'm trying to get it back to standard tuning now.

The tremolo now is really out of whack. It is not only way too far forward but it also seems higher on the low E side (angled). Any advice? Do i need to add another spring (move the spring position)? If i need another spring/screw, are they universal, or do i need to get it from Ernie Ball? Do i need to tighten the claw? Sorry for the novice trem questions, in the past i've had guitars setup elsewhere, but really trying to learn this and save some money too!

Thanks.

**Tollie** · 05-13-2018, 04:53 AM

Good morning.

To get you tremolo to sit on the body you will have to back out the tremolo spring claw screws a little. Maybe it's tilting to one side because the claw is misaligned? You'd have to put on the string gauge you intend to use before making adjustments.

Good luck.

**chrismilne** · 05-13-2018, 05:13 AM

Originally Posted by Tollie

Good morning.

To get you tremolo to sit on the body you will have to back out the tremolo spring claw screws a little. Maybe it's tilting to one side because the claw is misaligned? You'd have to put on the string gauge you intend to use before making adjustments.

Good luck.

Thanks for the reply. I tried backing them out but it's not making any difference, it seems counter intuitive though. It seems i need more tension on the springs. Do the springs became weaker over time, ie do you eventually need to replace them? I have older guitars (ibanez, bc rich) that have never required anything like that.

**beej** · 05-13-2018, 06:47 AM

Yes, you need more tension. Add another spring, or screw the claw in further, until the trem is level.

A lot of this stuff is trial and error, so you need to play with it until you're happy. Worst case, take it to someone local for a setup.

**tbonesullivan** · 05-13-2018, 07:26 AM

Are both of the tremolo posts screwed down as far as they will go? It looks like one is slightly higher than the other, which is why you would have it slightly higher on one side.

I would then add a third spring, and have all three straight, not at an angle. The tremolo is up like that because you don't have enough spring tension to compensate for the string pull.

If you can't get it to work, I would take it to a guitar tech and have them give it a setup. They should be able to fix this easily.

**vuduhwy** · 05-13-2018, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by beej

Yes, you need more tension. Add another spring, or screw the claw in further, until the trem is level.

A lot of this stuff is trial and error, so you need to play with it until you're happy. Worst case, take it to someone local for a setup.

I agree with Beej on this one. Trem claw adjustment is nearly always the cause for this sort of problem. I don't know how old your guitar is , but sometimes worn out trem springs can contribute as well.

**radrock** · 05-13-2018, 10:14 AM

Definitely add a 3rd spring and in this case, without any slanting. You might even be able to back the out some with that 3rd spring. Put on the gauge strings you want, THEN do all the surgery on the guitar.

Even the Drop C is doable, it’s just going to take some more effort to get it there. Once it is set, you won’t have to mess with it again.

**chrismilne** · 05-13-2018, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by tbonesullivan

Are both of the tremolo posts screwed down as far as they will go? It looks like one is slightly higher than the other, which is why you would have it slightly higher on one side.

I would then add a third spring, and have all three straight, not at an angle. The tremolo is up like that because you don't have enough spring tension to compensate for the string pull.

If you can't get it to work, I would take it to a guitar tech and have them give it a setup. They should be able to fix this easily.

Yeah, it felt like it was going to hurt the body if i tried to tighten it.

Anyone know the best place to get springs? I stopped at guitar center but noticed the springs don't come with the screw, and i have no screw (maybe the previous owner removed it)?

**radrock** · 05-13-2018, 04:55 PM

Don’t really need the screw. That’s new to me.

**chrismilne** · 05-13-2018, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by radrock

Don’t really need the screw. That’s new to me.

I see. Will youtube it, I’ve never put in a spring and assumed the screw was holding it in place.

**vuduhwy** · 05-13-2018, 06:19 PM

Amazon has some Floyd Rose upgrade springs:

Amazon.com: Floyd Rose FRTSNBKP Noiseless Tremolo Springs, Black: Musical Instruments

**radrock** · 05-13-2018, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by chrismilne

I see. Will youtube it, I’ve never put in a spring and assumed the screw was holding it in place.

Do yourself a giant favor and loosen the strings and loosen the claw before adding the spring. I, and many others, have scratched the back of many a guitar trying to stretch that spring to get it on there. It’s easy once you loosen and claw a ton, add the spring, then tighten it back.