Music man LUKE trem Noise problem

[ZakkD]

Hi all, Was wondering if someone might be able to help me out. I just bought a Music man LUKE 07 blue dawn. Amazing guitar so far! but had a few problems with it. When I move the trem down you can hear the string make a popping noise. Same noise as when you strum a string above the nut, but I think the noise is coming from the bridge (just a guess).

My second question was, the trem arm only snaps in, different from my other guitar with a trem that screws in. So is it not possible to tighten it, to where it doesn't move so freely?

Thanks!

 

[DrKev]

Congrats on the new Luke! Any pictures?

The little 'ping' or creak noise that we usually hear from the nut can sometimes seem like it's coming from the bridge but still be coming from the nut, and vice-verse. Either way, a little lubrication in the nut slot and where the strings cross the top of the saddles should fix it up just fine.

You can use pencil lead, vaseline, chapstick, lithium grease, or light mineral oil (3-n-1, for example). I generally use a light oil, applied with a pin, needle, or toothpick. I also have chapstick (mint flavoured) in my gig bag as a just-in-case, again applied with a needle. What ever you choose, only apply the minimum amount necessary and make sure to clean up any excess.

Re: the trem arm, dive bomb your trem, hold it down, and look at the back of the trem block. You'll see a small allen screw on the right hand side. That will tighten the trem arm and stop it swinging too freely.

 

[ZakkD]

Congrats on the new Luke! Any pictures?

The little 'ping' or creak noise that we usually hear from the nut can sometimes seem like it's coming from the bridge but still be coming from the nut, and vice-verse. Either way, a little lubrication in the nut slot and where the strings cross the top of the saddles should fix it up just fine.

You can use pencil lead, vaseline, chapstick, lithium grease, or light mineral oil (3-n-1, for example). I generally use a light oil, applied with a pin, needle, or toothpick. I also have chapstick (mint flavoured) in my gig bag as a just-in-case, again applied with a needle. What ever you choose, only apply the minimum amount necessary and make sure to clean up any excess.

Re: the trem arm, dive bomb your trem, hold it down, and look at the back of the trem block. You'll see a small allen screw on the right hand side. That will tighten the trem arm and stop it swinging too freely.

Thanks for the solution! I used some pencil lead. Looks like that cleared up the problem. Nice easy fix : D

On the trem arm, do I also need to loosen that same allen screw to get my trem bar out? I tried to take it out but it looks like it's locked in tight.

I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow! The blue dawn color is sexy!

 

[DrKev]

Thanks for the solution! I used some pencil lead. Looks like that cleared up the problem. Nice easy fix : D

Good news! You'll find it stay in tune even better now too.

On the trem arm, do I also need to loosen that same allen screw to get my trem bar out? I tried to take it out but it looks like it's locked in tight.

It sits in there pretty tight but it will pull out. You can't break anything so don't be too timid. I point the arm toward the tail of the guitar, hold it in my right hand, and use my thumb on the back of the trem as a lever, pull up with my fingers and it'll pop up and then pull out. Of course, I leave it in there 90% of the time. The hard case has the fan shaped cut out to accommodate it and it's no problem in my gig bag.

 

[ZakkD]

Good news! You'll find it stay in tune even better now too.



It sits in there pretty tight but it will pull out. You can't break anything so don't be too timid. I point the arm toward the tail of the guitar, hold it in my right hand, and use my thumb on the back of the trem as a lever, pull up with my fingers and it'll pop up and then pull out. Of course, I leave it in there 90% of the time. The hard case has the fan shaped cut out to accommodate it and it's no problem in my gig bag.

I was worried I was going to end up breaking it trying to yank it out haha but Thanks I'm always using my trem anyways
unfortunately the guitar didn't come with any tools to tighten the trem, or even adjust saddles
Any good sites I can order a good music man tool bag or anything?

 

[CHill]

As per the Ernie Ball Facebook page, the EBMM tool kit is coming soon:
www.facebook.com/ernieballinc

Ernie Ball Musician's Tool Kit | Facebook


Cheers, C.