Let's get a sticky about tuning stability

[BrickGlass]

Is it me or are there constantly threads about people not knowing how to keep their guitars in tune? Couldn't we get an official thread that explains what EBMM would recommend to help guitars with tremolo's stay in tune? Just a thought but it seems like every time I come to this forum there is a new thread about tuning stability and people not knowing how to accomplish it. There is plenty of info out there if you take the time to google it, but I'm just wondering if a sticky may help some folks out. The answer may already be in some FAQ section or something, but this place is always getting people with the same problems wondering how to fix them.

 

[Lou]

There are so many factors that go into this, it probably would be impossible. Diff guitars and bridge designs would complicate things. Best advice is find a tech that is good at what they do in your area and they will (usually) be happy to show you some tips that you can learn. Most guitars sit around in shops and get abused before you buy and need to be dailed back in for the buyer. Yes factory specs are good, but your guitar should be set up for YOU.

 

[coldsummer]

Maybe slightly off topic but I can't stand a badly set-up guitar. The last four I have purchased (2 new and 2 used) have all been virtually unplayable with old strings, creaky trems, badly intonated, sticky vol/tone pots, etc. Bearing in mind these are high quality expensive guitars I'm amazed how people can let them deteriorate so badly. It especially pi**es me off when I've bought a brand new guitar for ££££'s and they aren't even playable (neck too straight, poor intonation, sloppy trem, etc). I suppose it is one of the dangers of distance-buying.

FYI, the guitars in question are all EBMM, the new ones being an AL MM90 and Silo, and the used ones 25th Anni (particularly neglected) and Reflex. Luckily my local guitar tech is extremely good!

 

[BrickGlass]

There are so many factors that go into this, it probably would be impossible. Diff guitars and bridge designs would complicate things. Best advice is find a tech that is good at what they do in your area and they will (usually) be happy to show you some tips that you can learn. Most guitars sit around in shops and get abused before you buy and need to be dailed back in for the buyer. Yes factory specs are good, but your guitar should be set up for YOU.

Not everyone lives in an area where there are "good" techs available so that advice is not always a solution. I'm referring specifically to EBMM guitars. It would be nice if they could tell people what they recommend for their vintage trems and for the JP guitar. Those seem to be the ones that people are always having trouble with. The point is if there were a sticky maybe we wouldn't get the same thread popping up every other day from some new person having tuning stability problems.

 

[TNT]

Ya know, there is a "TON" of information already on the internet concerning these type of things - you wouldn't have enough time to read them all!!

Generally speaking the EBMM is no different (concerning the physics and basic designs) from any other guitar "tremolo". With that said, yes there are "other" factors that are respective of the individual manufacturer. But, "aside from that", they have common applications and set-ups.

Understand this, that if a guitar would not stay in tune, you would not have notable guitar players using them (especially with their name on them)!!! Yes, some are more "sensitive" than others, however, they can all be adjusted/tweaked to perform accurately as designed.

 

[DrKev]

Being the official company forum, any sticky like that would have to come from CS. In the mean time there is the FAQ section on music-man.com.

Strings move when we play. Not just the side to side vibration but they move through the nut slots, particularly when we use the trem. Tuning stability is about removing sources of friction that prevent the strings and bridge returning precisely to their initial position. A little lubrication in the nut slots can help a lot (just a small amount, try vaseline, chapstick, graphite, lithium grease, or 3-1-oil). Sometimes there are more potential issues than a simple nut lubrication, in which case contacting customer service is a good idea.

 

[Jon82]

Lol everyone's dodged the question.. well.. except for DrKev at the end there..

Above was what I was going to mention.. the nut thing.. avoiding friction.. and also maknig the tuners are up to scratch and aren't slipping.. you can search more by targetting Fender strats and how to keep them in tune with heavy trem abuse.. as they are the core guitars, where the 'vintage trem' comes from. And also probably lots of free YT vids about this concept.

There are tradeoffs and such.. but if setup right.. even a vintage tremmed Strat can keep tune with whammy use. It's just harder to attain and needs more skill and experience in correct setup.

That's for vintage trems. For others.. just search for floyd rose or Ibanez guitars, as they are the main ones with the locking nuts. So the wealth of information online is about them.. but that same info transfers over the guitars like the Axis, if it has a locking Floyd Rose system. Since locking nut guitars are more engineered to stay in tune.. it's more just about making sure it's setup right.. and that all the parts are in working order. Even cheaper Floyd Rose copies (found on cheaper guitars) can stay in tune, as long as the knife edges aren't too worn out and it's setup well.. by a good tech/luthier.

 

[Luc]

Maybe this thread will become the sticky thread after all..