Help! D tuna issue

[sixstrings]

Hey guys, first proper post on the forum.
I've recently decided to fit d tuna on my axis. With 2 springs and tremolo setup properly (flushed) it never went out of tune. However after fitting d tuna once engaged it affects other strings tuning too. I have tried tightening screws in the cavity which didn't help. Also added extra spring which made tremolo terribly stiff and useless, and still with tuning issue.
I'm using 10-52 elixirs, D standard tuning, so dropping down to C. Just to make sure that it's not the D standard issue I tried it in E standard too and that wouldn't work either.
Any ideas?

 

[Tollywood]

Please post a close up pic of your trem. You may have the newer model, which does not seem to work with a D-Tuna based on the angle of the frame where the fine tuners are mounted.

 

[sixstrings]

Thanks for reply Tollie, there you go mate:

 

[jptortor]

I have had similar experiences with the D-Tuna. The only thing that seemed to fix it was really tightening the trem down. Otherwise, I could have the guitar in perfect tune in drop D, or standard. It seemed to be the G string most affected. It would go flat when in E position or sharp in D.

 

[TNT]

What's happening is this:
The trem plate is NOT resting on the wood. Therefore, when you engage the DT you loosen the 52 string slightly, then the springs pull down on the trem plate a tad, thus your others strings go slightly "sharp". Correct???

Be sure the trem plate is resting on the wood when it is in use or not in use - it will then stay in tune no matter which way you pop the cork.

 

[Tollywood]

Hello again,

You have the older trem which should work fine with the D-Tuna.

Sometimes there is a little burr inside the tube ( I'm referring to the part of the D-Tuna that you pull out or push in). If you work a drill bit in there (by hand only) or a piece of sandpaper wrapped around a drill bit, you should be able to smooth out the burr. Then, using the fine tuning screw on the D-Tuna you should be able to adjust for perfect tuning.

Good Luck!

-Bryan

P.S. - It looks like your trem may be resting on the body. There is a plate under the body of the trem that rests on the guitar's body, leaving the bridge at a tiny angle, yet it is actually flush with the body.

 

[sixstrings]

Thanks Bryan, will try that one for sure!
TNT, I know it might look that trem is not resting on wood and you can pull up with it.
I have a gotoh brass block fitted to the trem and there is a 1mm thick plate between the block and trem, which actually blocks the trem from pulling up. Take a look at the pic below. I've bought the axis with block already fitted and this never caused any tuning issues, so never really considered it to be a problem. Should I remove that plate and try d tuna with the trem plate resting fully on wood?

 

[Tollywood]

Thanks Bryan, will try that one for sure!
TNT, I know it might look that trem is not resting on wood and you can pull up with it.
I have a gotoh brass block fitted to the trem and there is a 1mm thick plate between the block and trem, which actually blocks the trem from pulling up. Take a look at the pic below. I've bought the axis with block already fitted and this never caused any tuning issues, so never really considered it to be a problem. Should I remove that plate and try d tuna with the trem plate resting fully on wood?

You're welcome.

No, you do not have to remove that plate. The plate sitting on the body is fine.

 

[TNT]

Yeah, it can't hurt try that 6 strings, and only takes a few minutes. keep us posted.

 

[sixstrings]

Thx for your input guys. Will give it a go after weekend and let u know if it worked. Really hoping to have it sorted as I'm tired with taking two guitars to rehearsals as well as constant switchin them for different tunings when playing live. Hope the axis to be a swiss army knife of a guitar soon

 

[T- Bone]

For whatever reason I didn't have good luck with a dtuna with strings heavier than .010's

.009's or .010's and it worked perfect, just sayin...

 

[sixstrings]

Hi again,
So I've tried Tollie's idea - didn't work. Also tried new springs, still have an unused spare set from JP6 I've sold a while ago. Made sure neck is not shifting and tightened 2 bolts holding nut in place. Whatever I do d-tuna doesn't seem to work for me, once engaged all strings go flat. I could obviously give it to a local tech and get charged £45 for a full setup but there's no guarantee that I will have it sorted, is there?

EDIT:

For whatever reason I didn't have good luck with a dtuna with strings heavier than .010's

.009's or .010's and it worked perfect, just sayin...

I have 10-52 on mine, I could go down to 10-46 but in drop C it'll sound and feel bad.

 

[gregmusi]

Not that I can help with the d-tuna issue, but what is the extra switch for? Inquiring minds want to know

 

[sixstrings]

It's a killswitch mate. Previous owner had an added tone pot there but it felt awkward on an axis!

 

[sixstrings]

Right guys, quick update on the situation. Looks like I have it sorted now although I can't say that I am 100% happy with the result.
After trying everything that was mentioned above plus what I've found on the web I've decided to focus on the tremolo itself rather than other points. I adjusted both pivot screws so now trem is perfectly parallel to body. Trem plate still doesn't touch the body, it's that little plate underneath that does it. Also had to leave it with 3 springs instead of 2 which is where I'm not entirely happy as now trem feels a bit stiffer to what I prefer. Most important it now stays in tune and d tuna does what it says on the tin. Thanks again for everything.

 

[TNT]

Ok, so now you can get back to practicing!!