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Help! JP tuning problem

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brbac

New member
Joined
Sep 23, 2008
Messages
2
Hey all !!

i recently got a JP music man from USA. Works great, but have a tunuing prob, When i use the trem it goes out of tune ? why is that and what can i do ? is it the nut ?

I put some elixir strings on 2 weeks ago, 10's, and have 4 springs that hold the tremolo, paired in 2 ( so, the fifth would go directly in the middle )

thx for all answers and advices !!
 
I had the very same issue with mine...it was set up great, played incredibly, low action......but wouldn't stay in tune - really frustrating.

I'm after another one as it was easily the most comfortable guitar I've ever played......however the trem thing restricts use for me as our live sets move so quick that there's minimal time for this.....

Frustrating when you see JP going mental with the trem and it retaining stability........
 
I'd try doing a couple of things.

1. Make sure that there are a few winds as possible on the tuners. I usually string my guitars with the strings pulled tight enough to take the slack out, then lock the strings down with the thumbscrews, then tune to pitch. That's the beauty of locking tuners. You don't need to wind the string several times.

2. Use some type of lube on the nut, either graphite or something like Big Bends Nut Sauce. Helps keep the string from binding at the nut.

If those don't help, definitely call customer service.
 
TonyEVH5150 said:
2. Use some type of lube on the nut, either graphite or something like Big Bends Nut Sauce. Helps keep the string from binding at the nut.

.
Click to expand...

My bet's on this.

In a pinch, you can use a regular sharp pencil. Sort of "write" into the groove of the nut, then shave the lead with the string....set the string in and "write" on it a bit more.

I did this last week at a music store. I'm looking at a used guitar and the strings were shot, so I bought some slinkys and restrung it for them using my pencil.

jack
 
If the JP is "set up" right, and not jacked around with, it'll never go out of tune no matter how much you use the trem!!!! Same goes for the other MM guitars!!
 
TNT said:
If the JP is "set up" right, and not jacked around with, it'll never go out of tune no matter how much you use the trem...
Click to expand...

Yeah man, that's been my experience too. An amazing trem. Only temperature changes have an effect on the tuning.
 
+1 on all of the above. You could try a nut from somebody like Graph-Tec. I've never used them myself, but they are rumored to be pretty good. They use some sort of patented teflon-type material which prevents the string from being bound or grabbed when the tremolo is returned to resting position.

In addition, if you don't do adjustments yourself, try taking the guitar to a luthier you trust. It might need to be set up. Wood expands and contracts with the elements, so if there has been a recent change in humidity or temperature where you are, the bow in the neck might be a touch off. This may not have anything to do with your trem issue, but it's a good habit to get into anyway.

Good luck!
 
If it's an older Guitar, the trem knife edges MIGHT need to be serviced. The knife-edges might have wear and could be un-even. A simple filing would help this.... if the edges are dinged from use, turning the trem posts without removing the trem other use, it could cause MAJOR tuning issues. I had this issue on my JP ( I tap that trem a LOT) and fixed the groves with a proper file and viola, good as new!
 
tnxx all ... i will have it checked out ...

the guitar is new, im the 1st owner ... i was told that the nut wich is installed on new JPs isnt so good ... maybe i will replace it with a graphite one, or have it fixed and use some lube on it ...

As i see it, only the nut can be the issue ... the bridge is setup fine, flush with the body and held with 4 springs ...

otherwise, the guitar sound,looks and feels fantastic !! :)
 
One more thing on the setup issue: the guitar will definitely be "out of whack" if you've changed string gauges without having the guitar set up (there will definitely be a problem). JP's are shipped with .009s. You mentioned that you switched to .010s. Set up adjustments should be made in these cases to avoid tuning oddities, especially on guitars with trems.

That +some graphite and possible light filing in the strings slots on the nut and you should be good to go!
 
brbac said:
tnxx all ... i will have it checked out ...

the guitar is new, im the 1st owner ... i was told that the nut wich is installed on new JPs isnt so good ... maybe i will replace it with a graphite one, or have it fixed and use some lube on it ...

As i see it, only the nut can be the issue ... the bridge is setup fine, flush with the body and held with 4 springs ...

otherwise, the guitar sound,looks and feels fantastic !! :)
Click to expand...

new guitar? Call customer service.

The nut's on these guitars a re good... if it's defective, give EBMM a chance to fix it.
 
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