JP 13 tuning stability issues...floating trem

[somata]

So after I first got the guitar, I thought I had it set up pretty well, but it tended to go a bit flat after some playing. This week I popped the cavity cover off and tightened up the trem claw a bit, then it tended to go sharp. Loosen trem claw a bit...flat...tighten...sharp. We're talking 1/8-1/4 turns of the screws here. This is without any whammy usage, just playing and palm muting. I'm about at my wits end. I'm sure I'm doing something wrong, so could use some help before I return it toward a Mesa Mark V...lol.

-Guitar is tuned to D standard (D-G-C-F-A-D)
-Using .10-.46 stings that have been well stretched out
-Pencil graphite in the nut
-Top of trem base plate is flush with the body, bridge is angling downward toward the back, ever so slightly
-Action now seems a bit too low...doesn't feel quite as lively as it did before I started messing with the claw adjustment
-The guitar came with a Tremelo-no that is disabled (set screws are backed off completely)
-Currently has 2 springs installed


As I'm writing this, I'm imagining a dope slap is coming my way...maybe the Tremelo-no is catching, but catching sometimes sharp sometimes flat?

 

[WillyD]

PM Sent!

 

[somata]

Just wanted to follow-up in case someone does a search...got my JP13 sorted. WillyD offered some advice via PM which was helpful in talking me down off the ledge...many thanks!!!

I'm fairly certain it was getting caught in the Tremel-no causing it to return sharp sometimes and flat sometimes. So on Sunday, I swapped it back to the original claw and added a 3rd spring. I still couldn't quite get it to not drift flat or sharp, so I took it back to the Guitar Center that I bought it from and their tech made just a couple of tweaks to the claw adjustment and it was much better. They were also running a deal on their $90 set-up for $49 so I went ahead and let them do a full set-up, polish, etc. I'm happy to say that it's now playing like a dream and holding up the tuning like a champ. I was worried I was just going to have to return it, so I'm super psyched.

Since they didn't have any of my usual Dean Markley Blue Steels in 10-46 I decided to try the EB Cobalts...and I have to say, so far I like them. Not sure that they have quite the same fatness of the Markley's but I like the way they feel, and they sound good.

 

[Lou]

$90 seems high. Wowzers! Glad you got it sorted out

 

[somata]

$90 seems high. Wowzers! Glad you got it sorted out

Their normal set-up is $49 and then they have a $90 "Platinum" set-up that adds in a full cleaning, clay bar, waxing, cleaning up any corrosion on the hardware, electronics, etc. I didn't really need any of that because the guitar is so new, but since it was the same price, I figured I might as well get a nice cleaning and waxing...I'd never pay the full $90 though...lol!

I think the deal runs until the first of the year if anyone is looking to get an old guitar spruced up...

 

[DrKev]

Think of $60 per hour bench fee and yeah, that's not out of line at all. And if you're happier with the guitar than you were before, that's a win.