Help! Axis tuning/tremolo issue

[Roman91]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and to EBMM guitars. I'm having a problem with my Axis!

I recently purchased a second hand Axis BFR in the UK. This is a 2009 model with the Music Man branded tremolo. The guitar was in new condition when I bought it, apparently with no play wear at all.


I immediately restrung the guitar with Ernie Ball Coated gauge 10s and set it up for these, adding a middle spring to the existing two in a /|\ pattern.
I also fitted an EVH D-Tuna to the guitar.

After 2 months of playing the guitar has slowly developed a tuning issue; it goes out of tune very easily especially when bending, but dropping the tremolo and returning it to pitch returns all the strings to perfect tuning.
Also, using the D-Tuna affects other strings, increasing the pitch when the 6th string is dropped and vice versa, as if the tremolo is floating.
Pulling up on the bar also increases pitch of all strings by a tiny amount, but it is audible.


I have made loads of adjustments to the tremolo to try and fix this, as far as I can tell it is not floating AT ALL. I have even tried increasing the spring tension so that the trem is pulled hard into the body, with no change.

The trem plate is sitting parallel to the body, front to back and left to right. I have tried different trem angles which seemed to make no difference.

I have sanded smooth some small burrs on the saddles that I originally thought were causing the issue, again with no change.

The D-Tuna is not to blame, I have tried removing it and installing the original saddle screw.

I have also tried lubing the nut and saddles and oiling the trem posts.

Everything seems tight, and in perfect condition. None of these problems were there at first, but have developed over time and I think they have got worse recently, but it's hard to tell once I had noticed them.

My strings do need changing which I will do this weekend, but I don't see how they could be causing the pull-up issue.


Has anyone had a similar problem?

Cheers!

 

[T- Bone]

Mine did the same thing and drove me nuts!! Ended up being loose allen screws that hold the nut on. Check those, it sounds identical to my problem

 

[ozzyrules]

Mine did the same thing and drove me nuts!! Ended up being loose allen screws that hold the nut on. Check those, it sounds identical to my problem

Tom, I don't anticipate that issue with the one you sold me. Lol. How ya been, buddy?

 

[Roman91]

I had already tightened the nut bolts slightly as they felt a bit loose, not sure how tight to do those really. I'm a bit scared of cracking the neck!
One thing I did notice is that there is a small gap between the nut base plate and the fretboard, I don't know if this is normal?

 

[T- Bone]

Tom, I don't anticipate that issue with the one you sold me. Lol. How ya been, buddy?

hey Kev! Doing good for the most part my friend ;-)

 

[T- Bone]

I had already tightened the nut bolts slightly as they felt a bit loose, not sure how tight to do those really. I'm a bit scared of cracking the neck!
One thing I did notice is that there is a small gap between the nut base plate and the fretboard, I don't know if this is normal?

Tighten till they're tight, no need to crank on them. One of my Axisss has a slight gap as well with no issues

 

[Rachmaninoff]

it goes out of tune very easily especially when bending, but dropping the tremolo and returning it to pitch returns all the strings to perfect tuning.

Has anyone had a similar problem?

I had the same exact problem.
But I managed to fix it, and I wrote this thread about this:
http://forums.ernieball.com/music-m...how-i-fixed-my-tuning-stability-problems.html

 

[Spudmurphy]

friction at all "friction points" is your enemy. Saddles,nut, trem posts.

Lubricate them to eliminate that risk. (uhh sorry - I'm doing a course on Risk Management Strategies when they tell you to Avoid, Reduce,Fallback,Transfer,Accept & share risks, you need to work on the first two!!)

 

[sixstrings]

Heard d-tuna doesn't work very well with 10s.
Had same issue on my axis. Restrung with 10s, fitted d-tuna and bang - going out of tune so easily that I've sold it few months later. Shame as it had best axis neck I've ever played.

 

[Firesource]

I have a D-Tuna on my Axis with 10-46, and that works fine, however it is not possible to have a lot of range on the fine tuner.

However I had it installed on my Charvel with 10-52 before, and that was horrible. E-string went sharp every time I used the D-Tuna.

 

[Roman91]

I had the same exact problem.
But I managed to fix it, and I wrote this thread about this:
http://forums.ernieball.com/music-m...how-i-fixed-my-tuning-stability-problems.html

Even though Vaseline on the nuts is my go to solution for most of life's problems, I have tried using 'Lubrikit' on my nut/saddles which seems to be Vaseline in some form, didn't help.

Heard d-tuna doesn't work very well with 10s.
Had same issue on my axis. Restrung with 10s, fitted d-tuna and bang - going out of tune so easily that I've sold it few months later. Shame as it had best axis neck I've ever played.

The strange thing is, I restrung with 10s immediately and the guitar played perfectly for a while. No problems with the D-Tuna either, after sanding down the inside of the D-Tuna unit anyway (which sounds like a must-do when buying one).


I suspect now that my problem lies with the trem blade moving on the posts, that would explain the reason the trem can pull up as it anchors itself on the body and the force exerted on the bar lifts the blade up the posts.

I want to remove the trem to inspect the blade, so my question now is; what is the safest way to remove the trem?

 

[Roman91]

Bump! I still need help with this

 

[AndyK]

Safest way to remove the trem, with the strings on:

1) open locking nut
2) loosen the high E and B strings so they are kind of slack
3) Re-lock locking nut
4) Remove trem arm, turn guitar over, and remove all trem springs
5) Carefully turn guitar back over, put the bar back in, and you should be able to maneuver the trem off.

 

[Tollywood]

One thing I did notice is that there is a small gap between the nut base plate and the fretboard, I don't know if this is normal?

No problem as this is an easy fix. Sometimes the nut moves a little bit.

Slacken the strings a little. Make sure the screws behind the nut are a little loose. Push the Floyd's nut up against the fretboard edge. Tighten the screws behind the nut. Retune.

Good as new!

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

 

[DrKev]

Folks, if this is a BFR Axis, it is Floyd loaded. No lube is necessary on guitars with Floyds (except perhaps the knife edges of the trem itself). That's what the locking nut and clamping saddles are for - removing motion across the friction prone areas by eliminating motion at those points. Clean any lube from those points.

D-Tuna is not intended for use when the trem is floating. Doing so will put all the strings noticeably out of tune because physics. The trem must be sitting firmly on the top of the guitar for the D-Tuna to work correctly. (Optimum claw spring tension would be so that the bridge does not pull up when you bend but any more spring tension is not necessary, unless you prefer the feel of trem that way).

First question (my quick perusal of the thread didn't see this addressed) - new strings, yes? Old worn strings won't stay in tune very well and that complicates diagnosing other problems. Put new strings on and stretch them in well. If you are taking all the strings off, take the opportunity to clean the knife edges and two trem mounting posts. A very very light lubing of the posts where the bridge plate will pivot may help.

A loose lock nut may indeed be the cause. If memory serves me correctly, if all the strings go sharp after dive bombing or drop in pitch after pulling up (if the Floyd is floating) or bending then the lock nut should to be looked at. Unlock and detune the strings, the loosen the nut mounting bolts, jiggle the nut a little to seat it correctly, then tighten the bolts. You can go reasonable tight but don't start cranking on the allen wrench. There is no need.

If the problem still persists, get in touch with customer service or bring your guitar to a good tech.

 

[EL-Kabong]

Thanks for the tip, I never would have figured it out. Works much better now!