D-tuna

[chrisglancy]

Hey guys,

I have been thoroughly enjoying my Musicman Axis, great sounds and lovely dive bombs . However I am keen to install a D-tuna to the low E-string. I don't suppose any of you know the best place to pick one up. I live in the United Kingdom.

Rock and Roll

and Many thanks

 

[Dizzy]

eBay !

 

[Multiversal]

This is probably a stretch, but you could install a D-tuna on other strings as well?

 

[Ponch]

ah sounds like a good decision, sometimes we need to play that low D !

 

[Larry]

I will get one for mine when it shows up. All ready ordered my push pull 500K pot...

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I think Stewmac does them, and ships to the UK.

 

[shredderbetter]

I've had problems with my last FIVE d tunas they overplate(powdercoat) the bolts and don't allow enough clearance to fine tune and ends up binding!?!??You have to remove the powdercoating on the bolts and really is a pian!(I set up over 2 dozenw/d tunas~ so I'm no neewbie)Larry~ what's taking so long on yours??There is one on ebay for last 3-4 months I bought mine from them as well ,so they still have one left?I know you can't rush perfection,you will be very happy with it !I'm not sure if it's just my imagination or the ltd. models seem to play a little nicer(if that's possible) than regular models??Maybe you bought from GC of il. it'll be on the truck with my smy2d??~~due 7th of NEVER?!?!?What else can we do??

 

[Larry]

Larry~ what's taking so long on yours??There is one on ebay for last 3-4 months I bought mine from them as well ,so they still have one left?I know you can't rush perfection,you will be very happy with it !I'm not sure if it's just my imagination or the ltd. models seem to play a little nicer(if that's possible) than regular models??Maybe you bought from GC of il. it'll be on the truck with my smy2d??~~due 7th of NEVER?!?!?What else can we do??

I ordered it through Pete DuBaldo in August so the wait is just about right?

Got any pics of the post op-Axis?

 

[TNT]

Shred hit on a good point!

That is not an "uncommon" problem, in fact I 've gotten so use to it that I don't even think about it when I fine tune ( I automatically pop it back some. Couple other notes:

1. Honestly, there is NEVER enough room on these "trem body rest" guitars for the D-tuna's to really function correctly. There is very little adjustment room for using the fine tuning screw (when the d-tuna is not "popped" to D).

2. In fact you may want to consider NOT having one on. Why? Because the distance between the full length of the fine tuning screw is ENOUGH to go from an E to a D.

And, it takes just about the same amount of time IF it's not during a song (e,g, Amsterdam by Van Halen); the song requires both E & D so I have to pop it out in an instant during this song. Other than that it's usually not a problem just to down tune during songs on the fine tuner screw.

3. Be careful you don't scratch the body of the guitar when you "pop" the D-Tuna, if it's low to the body

 

[TonyEVH5150]

This is probably a stretch, but you could install a D-tuna on other strings as well?

It can be but it's tricky. It's best designed for the low-E. THe fine tuners are the major issue. They can only be turned a couple of times before they start negatively affecting the performance of the dtuna.

 

[shredderbetter]

i actually LIKE the d tuna but they produce them sorta' half @ssed,they should have a "u" shaped channel to glide freely on the screw but are usually shipped with more or a "c" shaped channel so when you try to use the tuning set screw you are actually binding the chrome shell into the bolt it rides on?The trem tuner thing is ALWAYS a problem more than 2-3 turns and it binds as well but that is livable if you are always aware of it,strech out strings set it and forget it .I've contacted kaman half a dozen times always get the same response"we never had complaints before?"I buy them in lots of 6 about every 2 months and about half of ALL the ones I installed require hand fitting?!!Oh,here larry is the list of my toys just go to the link!
shredderbetter - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

and I STILL look every day for more guitars!!

 

[hbucker]

Set up correctly, I've never had a problem with my D-Tuna's. I've used two different ones on two different guitars since '98. Follow the directions for setup and it should be fine. I agree with some of the manufacturing flaws others have mentioned. I had to return one that simply wouldn't work correctly. And the one I ended up with is fine but not as good of quality as the one that came stock on my Wolfgang in '98. I also depends on how much play there is in the fine tuning screws on your Floyd. My EVH has a fair amount of play in the screws so that lends itself to some instability. But it still functions fine.

Good luck.

 

[chrisglancy]

I think it should be okay, But where is the best place to buy one? I saw some site that just sells d-tunas. The Edward Van Halen D-Tuna Web Site is that the best way to go.

I love my axis, its starting to get all vintage looking on the unfinished neck... so awesome

 

[shredderbetter]

I've bought from them before,i think e bay has them cheaper ,if you only need one either is fine but when you buy a lot CASH is king,they are technically all the same so whoever has the best deals gets the sale!Just follow the directions and use the LONGER screw on the install(for axis) the short one won't work!PM me if you need any help they are pretty straight forward a heads up lube the barrel of the d tuna with teflon or some light oil things will work much better also a drip on 2 where the barrell contacts the fine tuner allows the dis/enguagement to be much simpler!!
wheres the axis pics??
enjoy!!

 

[rickjohns]

I have had several dtunas, I have one on each of my current Axis guitars. I figured out a little trick, but it involves machining a little bit of metal from the saddle. What I did was take off the E string saddle, and ground away about a 16th of an inch off of the bottom of the piece that is behind the hinge, the part that the string is put in. What is happening with the musicman bridge is that there is not enough travel in the adjustment of the E string to allow the dtuna to work properly. But if you mod it to allow for more travel, it works flawlessly. But what ever you do, DO NOT MACHINE ANY METAL FROM THE FLAT AREA THAT CONNECTS TO THE FLOYD PLATE! Only the part that moves when you adjust the tuning, you will ruin your saddle if you do it wrong. I'll try post some pictures later on tonight when I get home, I'm at work right now. If you are unsure about this, wait for the pictures, it will make sense when you see them.

 

[TonyEVH5150]

I think it should be okay, But where is the best place to buy one? I saw some site that just sells d-tunas. The Edward Van Halen D-Tuna Web Site is that the best way to go.

I love my axis, its starting to get all vintage looking on the unfinished neck... so awesome

I've found them here: Products

They're selling for a comprable price, maybe just a little less. You my need to contact the seller to find out about intl shipping.

 

[shredderbetter]

I forgot about THEM!!they also have some cool spacers and knicknacks for people that set up guitars,and always good prices they are owned by mean street guitars and sell some pretty cool stuff and do KILLER paint jobs,check out their haloflash guitars,mine is the EvH purple and crushed pearls on there!they also sell knock off EBMM guitars but don't hold that against them!

 

[chrisglancy]

Cheers fellas, I will order one and let you all know how it goes.

Many thanks for the advice.