Silhouette Special - trem questions

[Squawk]

I just obtained my first EBMM - a new Silhouette Special with a Music Man trem. I own several guitars and basses (been playing close to 40 years), and I must say I like just about everything this instrument offers - sound, action, weight, shape, intonation, etc. The trem is solid and I find the strings stay in tune rather well. I do have two questions that maybe you guys can help me with.

1) Is there an easy way to adjust the tension? It's a little stiff for me - I'd like to loosen it a little. The guitar came with 2 extra springs in the case.

2) The trem arm locks in solid - but it does sway with gravity, i.e., I can't keep the handle up a little bit as I can on my Strat (screw-in arm) or Jaguar (pop-in arm, but there's enough friction so it doesn't sway freely). Not the worst thing in the world, but it would be better if it stayed where I left it.

Thanks in Advance

 

[bing4sons]

Have you checked out the FAQ?

http://www.ernieball.com/faq_mmguitar.php

I think that your 2nd question is answered in there.

Bing

 

[Jimi D]

I find that the trems on new guitars can feel a little stiff at first but loosen up after you've stretched the springs a bit... You could buy a couple of those big, soft bass picks and throw them under the back of the trem between the trem plate and the body for when the guitar's in its case - this will stretch the springs a little when your not playing and help to facilitate the process for the first couple of months. If you're using .009s or lighter strings, you might also be able to go down to only two springs; that would reduce the tension quickly. You could also try unscrewing the spring claw in the body a couple of turns and see if that gives you a better feel... just remove the back plate and take a properly sized screwdriver (you don't want to strip these screws!) and unscrew (lefty loosey) each of the two spring claw screws a full turn, then try the trem a bit, then repeat if necessary. If you go too far and have to tighten these screws, it's a good idea to loosen the string tension and remove the tremolo springs first, or you might strip the heads or tear up the screw holes in the body.

 

[Squawk]

Jimi, Bing -

Thanks for the help. I initially searched the site from here, not realizing the search was in forums only, so I missed the FAQ. And, Jimi, I appreciate the trem info - at this point, I'll let it go naturally. I'm also not set on the strings I'll be using. I general like 9s on full scale models, but I am considering trying other strings as I do not general use distortion when I play, and given the clarity (when teamed with my Fender Vibrolux), I might venture into flats.

On that subject, what are favorite strings you guys use on your MMs?

And thanks again to you both.

 

[bing4sons]

I use Elixir Nanoweb Super Lights 9-42s. I really like these as they are very comfortable to play and they stay bright for a long time. I've thought about switching to 10's, which I use on my Epiphone LP ES, but the 9's feel so good, I haven't gotten around to it. Also, the FAQs mention widening the nut slots to switch to 10s, and I'm not sure I want to do this.

Bing

 

[Squawk]

Bing -

Since my last post, I read the FAQs and saw the warning about the nut, so I won't try it. I have a flats won't make it on this guitar - I noticed EB doesn't market flats for guitars - but I do use EB flats on my two best basses and they're great strings. Flats are a must use on two of my guitars - my Jag and my Gretsch (my first real guitar I bought used back in 1967). Yet flats are a disaster with most pickups made over the past 30 years or so - especially single coils - and more especially, Telecasters.

Another nice thing I can say about EBMM guitars is you do get decent OEM strings - one of the very few I didn't have to change in the first day or two of ownership.

I was also following the threads here about stres cracks - I have a short one (less than 1/2" - in the finish only) - so I think I'll wait to see if it gets worse, especially as I play more and the seasons change. I have a year warranty, so I wouldn't rush to send it in now - plus something else could pop up (hopefully not).

Thanks again for your help!

Squawk

 

[NOTEWORTHY]

I like the Diaddario custom 9 1/2 yhru 44's . Or EB light 9-42. Once you decide on a set or make, stick with them and you'll have minimum maintenance. I used try different strings alot and it was a nightmare. Wore out my copy of Dave Erlewines book.
Good luck

 

[ex3.8]

10-46

Bing -

Since my last post, I read the FAQs and saw the warning about the nut, so I won't try it. I have a flats won't make it on this guitar - I noticed EB doesn't market flats for guitars - but I do use EB flats on my two best basses and they're great strings. Flats are a must use on two of my guitars - my Jag and my Gretsch (my first real guitar I bought used back in 1967). Yet flats are a disaster with most pickups made over the past 30 years or so - especially single coils - and more especially, Telecasters.

Another nice thing I can say about EBMM guitars is you do get decent OEM strings - one of the very few I didn't have to change in the first day or two of ownership.

I was also following the threads here about stres cracks - I have a short one (less than 1/2" - in the finish only) - so I think I'll wait to see if it gets worse, especially as I play more and the seasons change. I have a year warranty, so I wouldn't rush to send it in now - plus something else could pop up (hopefully not).

Thanks again for your help!

Squawk

I have a silhouette special and couldn't get a good set up out of it, so i brought it to a luthier who recomended using 10-46 to hekp the neck get a little more tension. I was scared to "enlarge" the nut grooves since i bought this guitar new and cost me a fortune here in Canada...Anyway. I used a nail file and very slowly enlarged the grooves until the strings would just come out without "sticking". I added a mix of vasoline and lock ease grafite under the strings and "VOILA"

 

[Estin]

widening the nut shouldn't be too scarey, just go slow and in very small incriments. just as long your not going from a .42 on the low E to like a .60 you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[bing4sons]

Are there issues of widening the nut for 10's and the going back to 9's? My main hesitancy was not in filing the nut, but filing the nut any then deciding I liked the 9's better.

Bing

 

[Squawk]

I use flats (which aren't, to my knowledge, available below 10s) on my Jaguar and thought I might try a set on the Sil Special as the neck and action are similar (except you need the patience of a saint to set up a Jaguar.) Chances are I won't like it anyway (they sound like crap on most modern guitars), so in no way do I want to modify the nut. When I first raised the issue, I hadn't read the FAQ which recommends against larger guage strings without adjusting the nut. Had I read it, I wouldn't have raised the issue here.

Thanks again!

Squawk

 

[ex3.8]

funny

Are there issues of widening the nut for 10's and the going back to 9's? My main hesitancy was not in filing the nut, but filing the nut any then deciding I liked the 9's better.

Bing

Funny I asked myself the same question when i did it....but...
Once i changed i cant play 9-42 anymore!!!!
And i had been playing 9-42 for 20 years!!!!
BTW i can't imagine having a problem goig back to 9'S..