Question Tuning Axis down to Eb

[SteelCity]

Hi All, first time poster/owner of a Music Man guitar!

I purchased an Axis two weeks ago and have been enjoying it since. Wonderful guitar, wish I would have jumped onto the MM bandwagon sooner.

Quick question.......

I'm used to floating bridges and the need to compensate spring tensions, to keep the bridge level, depending on the tuning. My new Axis came tuned in standard E. Considering that the tremolo lies flat on the body (can't pull up), I'm guessing that there is no need to adjust the spring tension if I tune the guitar down 1/2 a step. Correct? Worst case scenario is that the tremolo is stiffer because of the lessening of the string tension?

Or should I screw the claws in until just before the bridge lifts off of the body to keep the string and spring tensions in unison?

Thanks for your input,
John

 

[T- Bone]

Hi All, first time poster/owner of a Music Man guitar!

I purchased an Axis two weeks ago and have been enjoying it since. Wonderful guitar, wish I would have jumped onto the MM bandwagon sooner.

Quick question.......

I'm used to floating bridges and the need to compensate spring tensions, to keep the bridge level, depending on the tuning. My new Axis came tuned in standard E. Considering that the tremolo lies flat on the body (can't pull up), I'm guessing that there is no need to adjust the spring tension if I tune the guitar down 1/2 a step. Correct? Worst case scenario is that the tremolo is stiffer because of the lessening of the string tension?

Or should I screw the claws in until just before the bridge lifts off of the body to keep the string and spring tensions in unison?

Thanks for your input,
John

I have one of mine in Eb as well and you should be fine with spring tension the way it is. I'm able to set my Eb axis to have the same feel and tension as my Axis in standard by adjusting the spring claw tension. Keep in mind I use .009-.046 strings though

 

[fsmith]

You won't have to adjust anything to drop down to E flat, that's your preference on how much resistance you want when dropping the trem or when bending. The lower only trem gives you more options as far as spring/string tension.

fred

 

[lukather101]

Just fitted a Tremel-no to one of my other guitars and that had a flooting bridge , best move I've ever made works perfectly.

 

[Tollywood]

Welcome to the forum, John. Enjoy that Axis...great choice!

-Bryan

 

[DrKev]

Welcome to the forum family, John!

Or should I screw the claws in until just before the bridge lifts off of the body to keep the string and spring tensions in unison?

That would be my personal preference. That setup will give you the minimum possible back pressure from the bridge on the top of the guitar, which helps avoid damaging the finish under the bridge. You could also tighten a little more so that the bridge doesn't move when bending strings - which will be the miniumum back pressure that will still keep the guitar in tune on double-stop bends. You can of course tighten more if you prefer the feel (little marks or indentations to the finish under the bridge is kind of unavoidable sooner or later no matter how you set it up). It's entirely up to you.

If you drop to Eb you may have to loosen the truss rod a touch too (and the EBMM truss rod design makes that very easy).

 

[SteelCity]

Thanks everyone for your input. You've put a professional second guesser at ease with his new #1.

If you drop to Eb you may have to loosen the truss rod a touch too (and the EBMM truss rod design makes that very easy).

Yes, I had thought of that but I can still assure you that whichever way I turn the truss rod, it will be wrong way. Never fails. What's that old saying again.......refty loosey, lighty tighty?

 

[DrKev]

See my profile for a photo showing you which way is which, in case you confuse up and down as often as I do.

 

[douglasspears]

I have one of mine in Eb as well and you should be fine with spring tension the way it is. I'm able to set my Eb axis to have the same feel and tension as my Axis in standard by adjusting the spring claw tension.

Aren't these two sentences contradicting each other?

 

[T- Bone]

Aren't these two sentences contradicting each other?

Maybe you can explain it better then? All I'm trying to say is that he can tune down and leave it...or adjust to have the same tension without issues.

 

[douglasspears]

ah, I see. Your first sentence said you didn't adjust your trem claw, but your 2nd sentence said you did. But now I get it, you're just saying the claw can be adjusted to achieve a similar feel.

Carry on.