Majesty 7 string tension

[raphaelnano]

Hello all,

I’m sorry if this has been asked but I couldn’t find the answer.

I just got a used 2018 majesty 7, it’s everything I want in a guitar only issue is it was tuned to drop A when I got it, no idea what the string gauge was, I put on 9s standard 7 string tuning, levelled the bridge and it stayed in tune, but the strings have a lot more tension than all of my other guitars (Floyd rose and non locking floating Trem guitars).

I messed up by trying to take off 1 spring and using only 2 springs, screwing the claw more to level the bridge, etc, thinking it’s gonna loosen the tension on how bends feel but it didn’t really do much, so I put the spring back and re levelled the bridge etc, and now one bend on the G string will push it so far out of tune (I know this is how floating tremolo works, but this time it’s going out of tune a lot more than it should)

Question1: how can I minimize it going out of tune as much as possible after bending ?

Question 2: how can I get a looser feel on the strings?

Thank you !

 

[DrKev]

Hi Raphael, welcome to the forum!

Re: Question 1; you mean the guitar won't return to in tune after you bend and the other strings go out of tune, right?

Tuning stability is all about removing friction and any impediment to the bridge and strings returning precisely to their initial position can cause a problem. Lubricating the nut slots is definitely step one. I recommend a non-liquid lube, like a grease (lithium grease, limp balm, vaseline, or one the commercial products out there) or graphite/pencil lead. If you went up in gauge for a drop tuning, the string slots in the nut may need to be widened so the larger strings can move freely. If they are binding in the nut slots, lubrication may not totally help. If you have not done nut work before, it's a quick and easy job for a luthier or guitar tech. Also as you have a used guitar, next string change take the bridge off the guitar and clean and examine the knife edges of the bridge plate that contact the mounting post. Make sure they are in good condition (a little bit of plating flaking off is no problem) and not obviously distorted or flattened.

Question 2: But understand that for the same gauge/brand of strings, on guitars with the same scale length, tuned to the same pitch, the same strings will always have the same tension. Pitch, tension, and scale length are a fixed trio - if two of them are the same, the third must also be the same (unless you change to different gauge strings (though different brands can also feel a little different at the same gauge). That's just physics and Mother Nature won't allow anything else. BUT how that feels when you play can vary from guitar to guitar, e.g. fret height, neck radius, and string action and with floating tremolos, on the tremolo itself and springs. Once you have your tuning issues sorted out, especially the nut slots, try swapping springs between guitars.

 

[raphaelnano]

Hi Raphael, welcome to the forum!

Re: Question 1; you mean the guitar won't return to in tune after you bend and the other strings go out of tune, right?

Tuning stability is all about removing friction and any impediment to the bridge and strings returning precisely to their initial position can cause a problem. Lubricating the nut slots is definitely step one. I recommend a non-liquid lube, like a grease (lithium grease, limp balm, vaseline, or one the commercial products out there) or graphite/pencil lead. If you went up in gauge for a drop tuning, the string slots in the nut may need to be widened so the larger strings can move freely. If they are binding in the nut slots, lubrication may not totally help. If you have not done nut work before, it's a quick and easy job for a luthier or guitar tech. Also as you have a used guitar, next string change take the bridge off the guitar and clean and examine the knife edges of the bridge plate that contact the mounting post. Make sure they are in good condition (a little bit of plating flaking off is no problem) and not obviously distorted or flattened.

Question 2: But understand that for the same gauge/brand of strings, on guitars with the same scale length, tuned to the same pitch, the same strings will always have the same tension. Pitch, tension, and scale length are a fixed trio - if two of them are the same, the third must also be the same (unless you change to different gauge strings (though different brands can also feel a little different at the same gauge). That's just physics and Mother Nature won't allow anything else. BUT how that feels when you play can vary from guitar to guitar, e.g. fret height, neck radius, and string action and with floating tremolos, on the tremolo itself and springs. Once you have your tuning issues sorted out, especially the nut slots, try swapping springs between guitars.

I appreciate your response!

A1: yes it didnt return to pitch after a bend but it got way better after more stretching and lubing it again, not an issue for me now, though after some play time the whole guitar is slightly out of tune even if I use the tremolo to return the strings to pitch. Maybe I’m not setting up the bridge right.. will take it to a luthier.. it’s not as easy to see to me if the bridge is 100% flush with the body as a Floyd rose for example due to how the majesty tremolo case is designed, a little rounder design.

A2: it’s why I couldn’t figure it out, everything was setup just like my other guitars but it was noticeable stiffer, haven’t had calluses in a long time, and now I just got them again in no time. I’ll try swapping the guitar springs because the one that came with the guitar were coated in black (looks like FU springs) though the tremolo feels great. If all fails, I have ordered 8.5 set that I will put on the G, B, and high E string and it should solve the issue.

Again, thank you very much for taking the time to give your advice. It helped me confirm it could be basic setup that I’m not doing correctly. Much appreciated.

 

[DrKev]

it’s not as easy to see to me if the bridge is 100% flush with the body as a Floyd rose for example due to how the majesty tremolo case is designed, a little rounder design.

Don't worry about it too much. It doesn't need to 100% perfect. On many guitars without routing under/behind the bridge, it is common to float it angled with a 3 mm (1/8") space behind the bridge and tuning stability is not a problem.

 

[Lethean]

Hi Raphael, welcome to the forum!

Re: Question 1; you mean the guitar won't return to in tune after you bend and the other strings go out of tune, right?

Tuning stability is all about removing friction and any impediment to the bridge and strings returning precisely to their initial position can cause a problem. Lubricating the nut slots is definitely step one. I recommend a non-liquid lube, like a grease (lithium grease, limp balm, vaseline, or one the commercial products out there) or graphite/pencil lead. If you went up in gauge for a drop tuning, the string slots in the nut may need to be widened so the larger strings can move freely. If they are binding in the nut slots, lubrication may not totally help. If you have not done nut work before, it's a quick and easy job for a luthier or guitar tech. Also as you have a used guitar, next string change take the bridge off the guitar and clean and examine the knife edges of the bridge plate that contact the mounting post. Make sure they are in good condition (a little bit of plating flaking off is no problem) and not obviously distorted or flattened.

Question 2: But understand that for the same gauge/brand of strings, on guitars with the same scale length, tuned to the same pitch, the same strings will always have the same tension. Pitch, tension, and scale length are a fixed trio - if two of them are the same, the third must also be the same (unless you change to different gauge strings (though different brands can also feel a little different at the same gauge). That's just physics and Mother Nature won't allow anything else. BUT how that feels when you play can vary from guitar to guitar, e.g. fret height, neck radius, and string action and with floating tremolos, on the tremolo itself and springs. Once you have your tuning issues sorted out, especially the nut slots, try swapping springs between guitars.

I got a brand new JR Majora purple, I think I did all broadly possible, from switching even to a lighter string gauge, lubricating the nut and even the saddles, different bridge angles, adding/removing springs, and when I bend a string, the specific string I'm bending gets out of tune (flat), the other strings stay in tune, I have to use the whammy bar then the string gets back in tune and that's the only way to get it, if I re-tune the string, once I use the bar it gets out of tune (sharp). This is frustrating, its the most expensive guitar I ever bought, I have several Floyd and Gotoh guitars, even an old Sterling jp70 stays better in tune than the freaking EBMM........it supposes you get a new guitar to enjoy, not to suffer instead with the setup

 

[morsecode]

You might have been best to start a new thread on this rather than piggyback off this one.

Anyhow, my first thought is that it sounds like an issue with the nut to me. The bridge should also float level with body. You said it is brand new so it should still be under warranty? If so, I would contact and/or take it back to the retailer you purchased it from, and let a tech there have a look at it. That is the first thing I would do assuming it is under warranty.

 

[Lethean]

You might have ben best to start a new thread on this rather than piggyback off this one.

Anyhow, it sounds like an issue with the nut to me. You said it is brand new so it should still be under warranty? If so, I would contact and/or take it back to the retailer you purchased it from, and let a tech there have a look at it. That is the first thing I would do assuming it is under warranty.

I have no problem starting a new thread then, and the problem is that I'm from south America and the guitar was bought in USA, I was really avoiding to start a warranty process for this reason.

 

[DrKev]

I have no problem starting a new thread then, and the problem is that I'm from south America and the guitar was bought in USA, I was really avoiding to start a warranty process for this reason.

No, you're fine here, no need to start another thread.

It's difficult to diagnose whats happening with your guitar from a distance. Yes, sadly if you bought your guitar in the US your warranty is only valid for 90 days after purchase in the US and all the costs for returning it to the US for any warranty work are on you. If the specific string you are bending goes flat and the other stay in tune, the the string is still binding in the nut slot or it's slipping at the tuners. It sounds like you've done every thing you should do and it's time for it to see a professional tech or luthier. Should not be a difficult diagnosis or fix.

The bridge should also float level with body.

Ideally but it's not critical to tuning stability at all. Remember many of us here float our bridges at an angle, as is the factory spec for the Luke guitars.