Musicman Axis

[kpinks]

I bought a new Musicman Axis guitar with the Gotoh Floyd. Awesome playing guitar, but the tremolo set-up does not seem to stay in tune very well. It is a dive-only tremolo. The tremolo bridge is parallel to the body, the nut is tight, but still after using the bar only a little, it goes out of tune and it is not consistent. Sometimes all the strings are flat, sometimes they are sharp! What areas do I need to look at to resolve this? Has anyoe else had this problem?
Thanks in advance
Kev

 

[fatkatz77]

Never had that problem. Maybe the strings need to be stretched. I would contact customer service and explain to them what is going on. They should be able to help you.

 

[Astrofreq]

Stretch the strings for sure. The tremolo is supposed to be flush against the body (dive only).

 

[TNT]

You may want to call the seller/dealer first, maybe he can remedy.

"IF" the strings are stretched and there are NO other issues, in all likeliness here is your answer:

The trem plate is NOT coming to a complete level rest on the body. Yes, it may look like it from the naked eye, but it is not. Take a thin piece of paper and slide it under the trem plate, you'll see what section may be higher.

Without getting too technical, it is no big deal to set it up correctly, and even use custom shims (so that you don't have to sand the body) to tweak.

 

[guitarfunkel]

I too have noticed this issue with my Axis SS. I usually don't use a lot of trem, just on a sustained note here and there during the solo, so I didn't install the trem bar at all and would just reach back with my right hand and rock the bridge by hand. When I did install the bar, it pulled everything out of tune. Doesn't make sense.

 

[TNT]

These are "not" problems. Like anything else, it simply needs to be "tweaked" to perfection. A guitar has "several'" critical points that need to be addressed all the time, not just when setting action.

Typically it is the nut, truss, neck angle, bridge (individual saddles), trem plate, and springs. Like a tune-up on a car, get all the critical stuff, set it up correctly, fire it up, and she'll puuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrr like a kitten!!!!

 

[kpinks]

You may want to call the seller/dealer first, maybe he can remedy.

"IF" the strings are stretched and there are NO other issues, in all likeliness here is your answer:

The trem plate is NOT coming to a complete level rest on the body. Yes, it may look like it from the naked eye, but it is not. Take a thin piece of paper and slide it under the trem plate, you'll see what section may be higher.

Without getting too technical, it is no big deal to set it up correctly, and even use custom shims (so that you don't have to sand the body) to tweak.

So I tightened the springs in the tremolo cavity. Tuning a lot better, but the 3 high strings still a little flat from time to time? Does this mean I need to tighten only the spring on the treble side a little more?

 

[Jack FFR1846]

So I tightened the springs in the tremolo cavity. Tuning a lot better, but the 3 high strings still a little flat from time to time? Does this mean I need to tighten only the spring on the treble side a little more?

No. All the springs pull the entire trem. There are 2 pivot points and they are always in contact with the trem blade. If they're not, there's a big problem. Keep the springs even across the trem.

 

[straycat113]

kpinks on a floyd bridge you really have to stretch the hell out of the strings and let them settle for awhile before fine tuning. If this is your first guitar with a Floyd call the EBMM CS department and have them walk you through it. The guys have given you really good Floyd trouble shooting tips, but if you are not familiar with one have a pro tech take a look first.Once you get familiar with it, it is quite simple.

 

[Jackson2112]

Maybe this will help you. I usually get this problem when im tuned to Eb. Look at the back of the Floyd, Press the floyd down and slowly let it come back up and watch which side of the bottom of the Floyd touches the wood first. You have to make sure that both sides come down equally to the body of the guitar, if they dont you have to adjust the floyd posts.. It worked for me....Good Luck!!!

 

[TNT]

yeah, as was mentioned, one or 3 springs (doesn't matter) once a spring(s) bring it to the deck that's all the pull you need. The thing is, it's probably not resting there correctly and/or moving around a "micro" hair.

 

[kpinks]

Had practice last night and decided to use the Musicman guitar. High strings still going out of tune without even using the tremolo bar, specifically the G string!!
I will check the saddles for burrs and try tightening the springs a bit more. The bridge is definitely sitting on the body, checked the screws holding on the neck to see if they are tight. Everything good there.
Frustrated
Kev

You may want to call the seller/dealer first, maybe he can remedy.

"IF" the strings are stretched and there are NO other issues, in all likeliness here is your answer:

The trem plate is NOT coming to a complete level rest on the body. Yes, it may look like it from the naked eye, but it is not. Take a thin piece of paper and slide it under the trem plate, you'll see what section may be higher.

Without getting too technical, it is no big deal to set it up correctly, and even use custom shims (so that you don't have to sand the body) to tweak.