Petrucci Guitar Questions

[Zophixan]

I've finally got my guitar, and have a few questions. Is the trem supposed to be perfectly level with the body, or should it be tilted slightly forward like on mine? Also, can someone tell me the pickup config? Is it possible to using just the guitar, switch to just piezo mode?
I've also noticed, when I bend strings, the other strings which I am not bending bend... why is this? Is it because of the trem angle? Is it easy to adjust by myself? Could someone give me instructions please?

 

[Norrin Radd]

I've finally got my guitar, and have a few questions. Is the trem supposed to be perfectly level with the body, or should it be tilted slightly forward like on mine? Also, can someone tell me the pickup config? Is it possible to using just the guitar, switch to just piezo mode?

Can't tell you about the Piezo ('cause I don't have one!), but the trem "level" is purely by taste. I like mine level, or parallel (sp?) with the body. I'm sure it is supposed to be somewhere specific by design, but I'm not sure where that is. Anybody?

 

[Zophixan]

I've also noticed, that if I play a note to sustain, then play another note and bend it, the other strings bend... which I supose is not normal, it seems to because of the trem, any thoughts?

 

[fsmith]

I would guess that it is "supposed" to be, but I've seen pictures of them tilted forward and backward. I changed string gauges on mine and had to readjust the trem to get it leveled out.

There are threads that explain in great detail how to set the trem on the Petrucci's. It's basically just adjusting the trem claw, re-tuning the guitar and repeating the process until it's level and tuned to pitch.

The piezo is activated with the switch on the upper horn, switch in the up position - piezo only, switch in middle position - mix of piezo and magnetics, switch in down position - magnetics only. Use volume pots to taste.

fred

 

[Zophixan]

hmmm, the upper switch when switched up, seem sto cut out the entire guitar sound, is that supposed to happen?
There seems to be no piezo only setting either..... either that or I'm going mad!

 

[Norrin Radd]

hmmm, the upper switch when switched up, seem sto cut out the entire guitar sound, is that supposed to happen?

Do you have the guitar cable in the proper input? I think there are two on the Pets, but I'm not sure.

 

[Zophixan]

Yup, there are 2... I'm slightly worried now, it seems that when connected to two inputs, only sounds at either time, dispite whatever switches I do.. Looking at pickup leaflet now..... can someone explain the trem?

 

[Raz]

On the Petrucci, the trem plate has to be level.
Here is a step by step how to level it yourself

Floating Trem

Now once you get it levelled, and in perfect pitch, you should have no troubles bending notes...I bend like a madman on roids on my Pet and I have absolutely no issues (well bending ones anyway )

Post back, and hurry!

 

[Zophixan]

Thanks, I saw that earlier... but one problem, what exactly is a screw claw and knife edge? Can someone draw a huge red arrow please
Also, can someone tell me how to remove the battery? do I just pull it out? it doesn't push back all the way.... The battery could be the problem...
....................
Got it.... cept the tuning problems still persist, when ever I do a finger bend......

 

[Raz]

The knife edge is the contact point where the trem plate meets the trem posts, or where the trem pivots. If you remove the back plate, six small screws holding that 3X5 plate, you'll see three springs attached at one end to the block, and the other end to the claw. The claws is anchored to the guitar via 2 phillips screws.

 

[Zophixan]

Adjusting it atm.... guys, if I took out the piezo battery, shouldn't the guitar stop working? Its still sounding through the amp..... I'm sure all the pickups went through a piezo mixing stage...

 

[NorM]

I can't draw you a picture but if you remove the plastic plate on the back of the guitar you will see the screw claw. It is the piece of metal that attaches the springs to the wood of the guitar. If you tighten the screws you will stretch the springs and pull the tremolo bridge so that it tilts back more. Sometimes the battery compartments can be a little tight. Just keep working it until you are not comfortable doing it anymore. Right Keith?
The piezo draws very little current. I change my battery every year whether it needs it or not. Leaving your guitar plugged in is leaving the battery on. For that reason and for the safety of your guitar and others:
Unplug you guitar when you are not playing it.
This, as you may or may not know, is known ‘round these parts as the Koogie rule.

On floating tremolos and string bending:
The force of a spring(s) is constant. Therefore the force of the springs is spread across all 6 strings. When you bend a string on a guitar with a floating tremolo (like the EBMM petrucci model) you are increasing the tension of that string. As the force by the springs is a finite amount (and constant), you increase the tension on one string you are reducing the tension across the other strings. Reduced tension equals lower pitch. Again you bend one string up and another string will go flat. It's just the nature of that beast.

Here is the page of drawings that may answer some of your questions. I printed it up and left it in my case.

The knife edge is where the tremolo bridge makes contact with the posts that hold the bridge back. The posts are the screws just above and below the bridge saddles.

I hope this helped. What else you got?

 

[NorM]

Only the piezo is powered by the battery.

 

[Zophixan]

Thanks guys, trem problem solved, with the help of my dad, due to my incompetance...... the tremelo is now perfectly in line..... I guess I can't do anything about the bending... but thats normal on trems....... I finally need help with the piezo and thats it!
I have a jack coming out of each the outputs. I know the piezo battery is defineately working. When I set the top switch to up, it cuts out completely..... any idea why? The diagram says it should be piezo only!

 

[jongitarz]

Plug your cable into the jack that is closest to the strap button, then try the trem

 

[SteveB]

Zoph,

Okay, sounds like you've levelled the trem.

Do as Jon said and plug a mono 1/4" instrument cable into the jack closest to the strap button on the bottom of the Pet. Plug the other end into your amp. with the 3-way switch on the upper horn (closest to your head when the guitar is in 'playing position'), the DOWN position is magnetic pickups only. the UP position is Piezo only. The middle position is a "MIX" of both which is regulated by the screws on the back of the instrument.

The detuning of other strings when you bend is probably just a normal consequence of a locking trem system. I don't really notice it when I play, but I don't notice it much when I play Floyds, either, but everyone bitches about that problem with Floyds. I guess I just ignore it as 'the way it goes'.

I think you ought to change the piezo battery and check the screw setting for the piezo 'mix' on the back of the guitar.

 

[Raz]

Tonight I played after reading and posting on this thread, and like I said before I bend like a gorilla pulls his yarn and I don't notice anything, gotta love that JP trem!

 

[Zophixan]

Just to clarify , I mean bending with fingers, I was doing something I don't normally do, playing a sustaining note, ie. a b strring whilst bending another string ie. the top e string. I didn't mean bending with the tremelo, I think you guys are talking about that?

hmmm tried plugging it in that way... and the up posistion, piezo only, doesn't do anything....changed battery, but still doesn't work my guitar pedal doesn't register any input from it magnetics are fine though..
I've checked the screw settings.. its all perfect, tried diff combinations etc...

 

[SteveB]

Zoph,

Well, sounds like we have to defer that piezo problem to Jon, Tommy, or BP.

Raz and I were talking about the same thing that you are doing.. (the technique is called a "double bend", I think).. it's when you hold a note, usually with your 1st finger on a higher string, and then bend a note on a lower string to match the pitch (usually with your 3rd or 4th finger).

A good example of this technique is at the end of the last lead in the Jimi Hendrix version of "All Along the Watchtower".. hell, Hendrix used that technique all over the place in many songs.. it was one of his favorite tricks to pull out of the bag.

But I digress...

 

[Zophixan]

ah yes, double bending is fine, but sustaining is not..... just curious, but how out of tune should the strings get whilst using the trem? Mine, goes VERY out of tune. I believe alot of the problems came from me asking the store to change the lower strings....... and me not trying out the guitar afterwards due to the time! Also, should the string holders on the trem be straight? because mine go up and down...... *cries at his luck*