Action too high when i tune high and vice versa. Please help

**kevstew26** · 06-19-2009, 03:36 PM

I don't know how to fix my tremelo lock on my ebmmjp.
I took it to a repair shop and they asked what tuning i play in i said D standard. Now i have it and now i want to play in D# standard and when i tune to it my action raises hugely (action low when in D tuning) I use 11 gauge strings.
I dont want to add trem springs to tighten it cause i want to use my whammy bar with ease and i dont want to lower the action on each string cause that will probably create fret buzz. My tremelo lock is acting out on an angle now.. Is there an easier way to fix it?
Thanks

**A.J.** · 06-19-2009, 04:17 PM

PM sent. Don't worry, we'll get you taken care of!

**kevstew26** · 06-19-2009, 06:39 PM

I want my music man john petrucci to play the way i want it to.
Is there a way to lower the action on the tremelo lock without adjusting the action of each string?

**Dante** · 06-19-2009, 06:45 PM

well, if you change tuning, you change the tension on the strings. then you need to adjust the tension on the trem springs. if you want to change tuning that much, you should consider a hard tail. in order for the trem to remain flat with a trem lock (a tremel-no thing i suspect), the tension on the springs needs to be, at least, slightly superior to the string tension.

customer support might be of more help.

**kevstew26** · 06-19-2009, 07:18 PM

Yeah that makes a lot of sense i just need to know how do i do that... lol

**Dante** · 06-19-2009, 07:26 PM

an extra spring? you play with 11s, i think that's too much to fix with a tighter claw (the thing where you attach the springs, opposite to the trem block).

after you put the extra spring in, if you think it's too tight, you can loosen the springs a bit.

PERSONALLY, for playing in D#/Eb, i would go back to playing with 10s instead of adding an extra spring.

**kevstew26** · 06-19-2009, 07:30 PM

I know but i always play 11's cause i always play low but now i need to play in d# to learn new stuff. And i dont like adding an extra spring cause whammy bar become to tough to use. But ill see what i can do
Thanks for helping though

**DaPatrooch** · 06-19-2009, 07:47 PM

I think tightening the trem claw screws would be the easiest thing to do. I'm not really sure how to explain this but take off the backplate and there will be two big screws connecting the trem claw and the body. All you have to do is tighten them until you get the bridge level with the body. It's a pretty easy process, I had to do it when I went from 10's to 9's on my Petrucci. I can't really go into much detail since it's been about a year since I've done this haha.

**Slingy** · 06-19-2009, 07:55 PM

You can also add string tension by putting two springs at an angle. Like this. /l\ . Doesn't seem to add as much tension as a whole other spring, but I'm thinking four springs for 11's. I'd like to know which works for you.

**kevstew26** · 06-19-2009, 07:56 PM

Thanks so much man. I will totally get to that. I feel so dumb asking these questions cause it's hard to remember all the nammes for the parts on the guitar, i just know how to play the guitar. Im the driver not the mechanic :P
P.s. awesome display picture XD

**agt** · 06-19-2009, 08:23 PM

Buy a second JP. One set up for D, one set up for Eb.

**nobozos** · 06-20-2009, 09:18 AM

On a floating trem guitar like the one you have, changing your tunings the way you want to involves much more than simply tuning it differently.

When you change the string tension on a floating trem, it changes the angle of the trem, which can raise or lower your action. Changing the tuning would require a trem spring adjustment to level out the trem.

In most cases, the difference in tension after you change tuning would require a neck adjustment to compensate for the different tension on the neck.

After you make a change in tuning, a neck adjustment, an action adjustment, or string gauge change, you would want to adjust the intonation of each string to ensure proper tuning when chording up and down the neck.

In order to have your guitar perform to it's maximum potential, you would want to select the gauge of string, and tuning. After that you would want to make the adjustments to your guitar to set it up for those choices.

It's not just this guitar. Any guitar with a floating trem would require spring tension adjustment after a tuning change. Any guitar, fixed or floating bridge, would require the other adjustments to operate at maximum potential.

**kevstew26** · 06-20-2009, 12:50 PM

Wow thanks a lot. This helped me a lot. Im wondering do you know if there's an easier way to lower the action on a ebmmjp without manually lowering the action on each string?

**MrMusashi** · 06-20-2009, 07:17 PM

i suggest you talk to aj/customer service about all the things you wonder about...
they will do their best to assist you! and eb is known for its excellent customer support!

after all, everything we other peeps can offer is internet advice.. easy to give, not always so easy to understand, even if its meaning was to help

MrM

**nobozos** · 06-22-2009, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by kevstew26

Wow thanks a lot. This helped me a lot. Im wondering do you know if there's an easier way to lower the action on a ebmmjp without manually lowering the action on each string?

I believe you should be able to screw down the two pivot screws for the trem to lower the entire bridge. Just make sure you turn both screws equal amounts, and loosen string tension when you do it, as not to damage the knife edges of the trem.

The only obstacle you may encounter is if there is not enough clearance between the sustain block and the cavity cover, but you shouldn't have to lower the trem so much that it will be a problem. Small adjustments make a big difference.

*****************BUT************************

Before you do any of that, make sure your neck is adjusted properly!
If you hold down the small E string at the first and last frets, there should be just enough clearance at the 8th fret to slide a thin pick under the string. If there is more than that, you can lower your action by adjusting your neck to the proper amount of relief.

***********Option #2*******************

This option is only for people who can competently wrench on guitars.
If your bridge is where it needs to be (as far as depth in the body), and your neck is adjusted properly, but your action is still too high, you may need to shim the neck slightly. The key to this is slightly. A shim the thickness of a matchbook cover in the back of the neck pocket can make a huge difference.

Again, after any of these adjustments, you need to check your intonation.

good luck.