Compensated Nut on JP7, Tuning and Strobostomps

[Josh O]

Alright, I think I made a bonehead move today with my JP7. I took a shot that it was strung up with 10s and replaced the strings today after snapping the high E last night. Strung it up and the trem did a nose dive. As I feared, they were 9s after all. I know just enough about setting up guitars to be dangerous, and I mean dangerous should've left well enough alone, but I didn't. Took off the trem plate, went to work. Added a fourth spring and then adjusted the claw screws a half turn each until I found a good balance and was able to get the guitar tuned up with the trem sitting pretty much parallel. Of course I had have an oh-$hit moment and gave my beauty it's first scar thanks to the damn spring slipping out of my needlenose pliers and the pliers jarring out of my hand, putting an nice ding in the finish (down to bare wood ) but I think I'm over that. Well, I'm not, but hey....

Anyways, I was jamming tonight with what's left of the band and I think I have the strings pretty well stretched out but I'm having a time keeping the low E and low B staying in tune. They go flat just enough to be annoying. I hope it's a matter of the strings still need to some breakin time. Did I throw something off by adding the fourth spring and adjusting the trem claw? Or is it a matter of the strings still need some break-in time?

Other question, this is my first guitar with a compensated nut. Is this equivalent to the Buzz Feiten system? Should I be using the Buzz Feiten tempered tuning program on my Peterson StroboStomp?

 

[Josh O]

Hi Bill,

No the guitar is used, it's a little over a year old. Strings probably still need more break in time although I am thinking of going back to the three springs. Thanks for the info on the nut.

On the ding, trying to get over it. It's looks like somebody hit it with a BB, I'll be over it soon, like you said, they are made to be played!! Plus, it's on the back

 

[Colin]

Josh have you posted pics of the guitar yet?

 

[Josh O]

Hey Colin, here ya go

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/mus...anion-white-sparkle-john-petrucci-6-than.html

 

[Colin]

thank you mate, nice

 

[mesavox]

Does the JP7 come with 4 springs installed? Mine had an extra spring in the case. I've never heard of needing an extra spring just to move up to 10s from 9s. But, I don't know if the 7th string made a 4th spring necessary in the factory either.

Either way... next time you have to add or remove a spring... don't do so with the strings tuned up. That's not a time saving step worth taking as you very much now know.

Sorry about your ding... I hate to hear about that on your guitar nearly as much as I would if it happened to me (more with me because I'd have seen it happen in real time and know that I'm responsible. LOL)

It's on the back right? That's a little bit of consolation if it is... the front is still all purty.

 

[Josh O]

the front is definetely still purty!!!

Thanks for all the tips everyone.

 

[PBGas]

I have 10-56's on my BRF 7 and I put a fourth string on it. I don't like to overly stretch tremolo springs as they tend to retain memory. I've found they rattle/ring a bit less.

It works great!

 

[Josh O]

I've got the fourth spring on it and I've got the trem sitting nice and parallel with 10-56. I think it really does need the fourth spring. My Strobo is set for standard mode, no sweetened tunings and I adjusted the intonation, I think! If I remember correctly, you tune at the twelfth fret, adjust the saddle screw until the string is not flat/sharp and then retune the open string and readjust if necessary until they both match up, correct?

 

[sim]

Hi Josh

You'll need to compare the fretted note at the 12th fret with the harmonic at the 12th fret and adjust the saddle so harmonic and fretted not are the same pitch. Good luck

 

[Josh O]

thanks sim, I knew I was forgetting something!