Axis Goes Flat

[Trev44]

Hi Axis Noob here. Love the guitar's tone. The neck and body feel like it was custom made for me. It will be my new #1 if I can resolve the following issue. Used it at 2 shows this past weekend and after every song some or all of the strings went a little flat whether it be light rhythm or wild bending solos. A push on the trem brings all back in tune. The bridge is set parallel and springs fairly tight. Action is fine and neck feels great tho this is accomplished by having the neck straight w/no relief. Anyone know why it's going flat and how to correct? Thanks

 

[browndog]

Let me first say Welcome to the forum. You came prepared like any good new comer should with a great pic of your gorgeous Axis and your rig.

That being said, I’ll be of no help to you whatsoever.

 

[kimonostereo]

You say that a push on the trem puts it back in tune which makes me think the trem is binding on something. Is there a point on the trem where it's getting "stuck"?

is it all of the strings or just one? Are these new strings?

 

[Trev44]

You say that a push on the trem puts it back in tune which makes me think the trem is binding on something. Is there a point on the trem where it's getting "stuck"?

is it all of the strings or just one? Are these new strings?

Doesn't seem like but possible.

Mainly lower 3.

Strings are well stretched. I think I have more time into fussing with it than playing even with 2 four hour shows behind her.

 

[grumpyoldman]

Is the Floyd Rose set to lie on the face of the guitar, or have you tried to set it to 'float'? I had a similar problem, with the G string only, and it ended up being a worn spot on the locking nut - your Axis doesn't look old enough to have that particular problem, so I would suggest looking at the tension of the springs on the Floyd...tighten them up as much as you can without losing the feel you like on the bar (mine is set up so that bending either E string will NOT make the bridge move).

Hope this helps...

 

[bbake1]

The Axis is not intended to float, so if it is set up to float that could be a problem. Increase spring tension to bring the bridge base back in contact with the body solidly. I have two springs on all of mine and adjusted fairly light tension and mine all come back in tune. Again not floating. You may want to check the trem pivot posts for any wear and be sure the pivot posts to bridge are lubed. A nick there could stop the trem from coming back to full tune (flat) from a dive. On the other end, are the strings clamped well at the nut? Just don't over tighten the bolts. EBMM Customer service is great to deal with too, don't hesitate to make the call before frustration sets in.

 

[Trev44]

Playing makes it goes flat. It is not set to float and a push on the trem puts it back in tune.

 

[patpark]

knife edges on the baseplate are worn. if it goes out of tune then can be knocked back into tune, the knife edges have some rough edges and the rough point is sticking against the post.

call customer service - that is the best way to go about it. they will give you real advice.

 

[Trev44]

knife edges on the baseplate are worn. if it goes out of tune then can be knocked back into tune, the knife edges have some rough edges and the rough point is sticking against the post.

call customer service - that is the best way to go about it. they will give you real advice.

Thanks to all! Great forum!

 

[GoKart Mozart]

That's a beautiful top on your Axis.

Floyds can be a bit finnicky sometimes, but it's usually caused by a small issue. I'd check and make sure that the trem claw screws are screwed in the same length (equal tension on both sides of the bridge). Also (as someone else mentioned), check the locking nut base and clamps for any worn spots.

And as always, contact EBMM customer service. They'll be glad to help you out.

 

[Stratty316]

Welcome, and that top sucks! (it's a good thing) As far as the trem issue it shouldn't be a tough fix. Maybe a good set up and or a call to customer service....

 

[RobW]

One quick thing to check too if you are new to a Floyd:

Make sure the clamps up at the nut are oriented so that the little "peaks" in the middle of them are running parallel with the strings. Like this:

 

[Astrofreq]

Call tech support. It might need new posts for the tremolo. By posts, I mean the two 'lugs' drilled into the body that the trem pivots on. One of my old balls had an extra groove dug into on and it kept slipping, causing the same problem you had. The guitar was unusable at shows until it was fixed, which they did for an amazing price.

That being said, call tech support.

 

[Trev44]

Bad knife edge more than likely as confirmed be closeup pics sent to customer service. It's seems common knowledge that the Musicman Floyds are Gotoh. To save almost 2/3 the logo on the trem is a nonissue to me. Has anyone replaced their trem with a Gotoh Floyd?

 

[GuitarHack]

GREAT looking Axis, and welcome to the forum.

EBMM Customer Service is the best, you're in good hands.

 

[Trev44]

GREAT looking Axis, and welcome to the forum.

EBMM Customer Service is the best, you're in good hands.

They were very quick to respond and I wish I had discovered MM years ago. As soon as repaired the Axis moves ahead of my Les Pauls and I'll buy another as a backup.

 

[Trev44]

Just loosened the strings and the claw, springs off with needle nose and took the trem out. No big deal at all. There's a nick on both the bass and treble sides of the knife. To anyone else new to MM, GOTOH is in big letters across the block. Just taught myself that I'll probably need a new knife and possibly studs. Been going at the nicks with steel wool.

 

[tommydude]

Great looking guitar and welcome to the forum ! Looks like you have already gotten some great advice.

 

[GoKart Mozart]

Just loosened the strings and the claw, springs off with needle nose and took the trem out. No big deal at all. There's a nick on both the bass and treble sides of the knife. To anyone else new to MM, GOTOH is in big letters across the block. Just taught myself that I'll probably need a new knife and possibly studs. Been going at the nicks with steel wool.

Glad to hear that you got the problem isolated. Let us know how the fix goes.

 

[Trev44]

Nicks aren't coming out. I ordered a Gotoh trem. Anyone know if it will be good to go or will I have to take the shim out of the original so it sits on the body properly?