JP6 Tuning Problems?

[AlfredoBoGu]

Hey everybody.
I just got my MM JP6 Piezo yesterday, and it has a lot of tuning problems. I don't really know why, but every time I use the whammy bar, even if just a little, it goes completely out of tune, mostly the sixth string.
I've read from reviews that the tuning should be nearly flawless, so it bugs my that my tuning s*cks...
Thanks, and greetings from Denmark.

 

[mikeller]

Mine is flawless but I do have to make sure the strings are properly stretched. You may want to make sure the bridge is set level (see the FAQ), and that nothing is hanging in the nut slot

 

[straycat113]

I would not freak as something more than likelyjust has to be adjusted with the trem. If you purchased it from a dealer over their just bring it in and have them take a look. The JP does have the best non locking trem I ever played and is the only guitar I keep floating.

 

[PaoloGilberto]

I did not stared a thread about this...but with all respect for MM, I have mine fully loaded for over a year now, and same problems. (if this post it's against EB rules delete it )
I e-mailed them, solution: local dealer - which sucks pretty bad in terms of techs stuff or sent it to USA for repair (from Romania)
I understand their point of view but it does not help a me at all

Hey everybody.
I just got my MM JP6 Piezo yesterday, and it has a lot of tuning problems. I don't really know why, but every time I use the whammy bar, even if just a little, it goes completely out of tune, mostly the sixth string.
I've read from reviews that the tuning should be nearly flawless, so it bugs my that my tuning s*cks...
Thanks, and greetings from Denmark.

 

[ShorterOnVenus]

mine was perfect from the factory, but It didn't have to endure travel overseas, my dealer didn't touch a thing on it before I picked it up.

 

[TheShreddinHand]

Guitar probably just needs a setup, if you're not experienced or can't do it yourself than definitely take it in. But it's not hard to setup these guitars. Also, lighter gauge strings won't hold the tuning quite as well as thicker (that's what she said!).

-Eric

 

[beej]

every time I use the whammy bar, even if just a little, it goes completely out of tune, mostly the sixth string.

It could be several things. First thing is, of course, to try out a decent new set of strings so you know that's not the issue.

Rather than trying to diagnose this over the Internet (which we can't do), your best bet is to email or call EBMM customer service and they can help walk you through it. Or try your local dealer.

I e-mailed them, solution: local dealer - which sucks pretty bad in terms of techs stuff or sent it to USA for repair (from Romania) I understand their point of view but it does not help a me at all

With all due respect ... it's pretty difficult to diagnose a problem without having the instrument right in front of you. It could be many things. So yes, your best bet is always a tech that can see it in person and make changes.

---

If you want to start experimenting, there's no magic fix for these things, it's the usual stuff you read about floating trems. Make sure the trem posts & trem edges aren't worn down and move freely. Check your springs and make sure they're aligned right and not binding. Make sure you properly stretch your strings (and use a GOOD new set of them). Ensure strings aren't binding in the nut (perhaps try a bit of graphite based lubricant in the slots to see). Make sure the locking tuners are tightened properly (not over tightened) and that the strings aren't wrapped around the tuner posts. Etc.

This stuff isn't rocket science, but tuning stability issues can be many different things, and not all of them are the fault of the guitar. Again, your best best is always to get the guitar in front of someone knowledgeable and not a bunch of knuckleheads over the Internet

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Exactly. With the locking tuners you don't wrap the string around the tuning post. Pull the string straight through until it is taut, then tighten the locking wheel on the back. If you have extra windings around the tuning posts that is one more gremlin that may cause stability issues.

 

[Roubster]

I just want to mention one thing regarding tuning issues with floating trems...a lot of the times it is a matter of setting it up properly and TUNING it properly. Since there is no double locking trem, the tuning of the high E, B, and G strings is very relevant to each other. Most of the times the problem is the G string going either sharp or flat when using the trem or bending. This takes some time to get it perfect...half assed tuning will not suffice. And if you are doing crazy Satch and Vai stuff than your best bet is to go with a double locking type trem. I have been successful with having my Silo Special and 20th Silo vintage trems floating and they are quite stable and can handle some abuse...but getting a bit out of tune is inevitable after extensive trem use. I'm still experimenting actually with what works the best for me, and so far having 4 springs is working nicely. Good luck!

 

[jzeijen]

Guitar probably just needs a setup, if you're not experienced or can't do it yourself than definitely take it in. But it's not hard to setup these guitars. Also, lighter gauge strings won't hold the tuning quite as well as thicker (that's what she said!).

+1

I don't know what gauge strings you are using, but I set up my JP6 this week with 010 - 046 gauge strings and it works perfectly. It stays in tune almost as well as a floyd rose system.

 

[AlfredoBoGu]

Thanks for the help everybody I don't wanna screw up my MusicMan adventure before it has even begun, so I'll ask a friend of mine to take a look at it, and hopefully he can help me.
AlfredoBoGu

 

[Norrin Radd]

The JP trem is built to be abused and stay in tune. I give you this example:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPw5s3r5kOI"]YouTube - Tuning[/ame]

 

[PaoloGilberto]

that is some abuse - hahaha I have to admit it, my tremolo use is 1 % of the abuse you show but it does not stay in tune.
how many cents way off the perfect tunnig is on tuner after doing that?

Beej, I agree 100 % with all you say + you seem a very very nice guy, like many others here, so I can argue with you
I had some people looking at guitar that are very familiar with setup and repairing, we don't have those so called techs or luthiers around here unfortunately, there is only one luthier famous around the world , but for building violins, I may call him
I am also pretty familiar with setup problems, the persons who checked the guitar also, I just hope its though only the setup the problem

 

[odur]

With 0.10 EB strings...no problems

 

[ShorterOnVenus]

I wonder if it's a Spring problem, I have a Ib&n#z dbl locking guitar that wouldn't return to pitch after heavy use, but was fine with a lighter touch. I checked that the nut was bolted down tight (not a JP issue) that the stud grooves were cut to match the knife edges on the trem and that they weren't moving (used teflon tape on the threads, probably hurting the tone) , brands/gauges of strings, even the pickup height so that they weren't pulling on the strings. finally I put a set of matched set of springs in the guitar because one of the springs seemed to flex and stretch a little easier that the other two, and having a set of springs that I knew to be equivalent in tension fixed the imbalance, and most of the issues the guitar had with staying in tune. It sounded better too!

 

[ShorterOnVenus]

BTW the swirl on that JP IS SWEET!

 

[ShorterOnVenus]

Hey, any luck?

 

[edhalen]

I just want to mention one thing regarding tuning issues with floating trems...a lot of the times it is a matter of setting it up properly and TUNING it properly. Since there is no double locking trem, the tuning of the high E, B, and G strings is very relevant to each other. Most of the times the problem is the G string going either sharp or flat when using the trem or bending. This takes some time to get it perfect...half assed tuning will not suffice. And if you are doing crazy Satch and Vai stuff than your best bet is to go with a double locking type trem. I have been successful with having my Silo Special and 20th Silo vintage trems floating and they are quite stable and can handle some abuse...but getting a bit out of tune is inevitable after extensive trem use. I'm still experimenting actually with what works the best for me, and so far having 4 springs is working nicely. Good luck!

Thanks for the info Roubster - not to hijack here but I've already noticed on my brand new Silo30 that the G string goes way sharp after some trem use. I've also noticed the low E goes a tad sharp too. The guitar came with 9's on it (I think - that's what it feels like) and I'm going to try 10's instead. Also, I noticed some string wrapped around each post - which according to Pete shouldn't be the case. Good help here guys - thanks!

 

[edhalen]

Update - put 10's on it last night. What a difference! Talk about beefier tones. After some trem work no more G string going sharp. I do notice some string buzz in spots, however. I think that may be my lazy fretting of notes in some instances. I'm really trying to play much cleaner and more precise with this guitar. What fun!

 

[ACELUEK]

Hummmm.. I put EB 9's on my new JP BFR and wrapped 1/2 around the post. Maybe that is why I have the tuning issue..