Vintage Style Trem

[coldsummer]

Anyone else having any issues with EBMM vintage style trem?

I like my EBMM's set up with 9 gauge strings and a floating trem, whereas the factory sets them up with 10's and 'down' only trem. I've recently noticed a lot of discordant resonance and 'zingy' noises from the trem block/saddle area. My guitar tech has recommended replacing the 'vintage' style bent steel saddles with more modern block type saddles which have a more definite seat for the string in order to alleviate some of this extraneous noise, especially when played cleanish.

I think sometimes I'm being too sensitive, but it seems odd that I've had this problem on every single EBMM guitar that I've recently bought, ie Silo, Reflex, 25th Anniversary and AL. The only one that hasn't had this problem was the fixed bridge Silo and, guess what, the previous owner had replaced the bent steel saddles with modern ones......

FWIW I don't have this issue with the JP6 or Axis.

 

[DrKev]

Discordant resonance from the trem area? I assume you mean acoustically/unplugged? You have me absolutely stumped. Without having the guitar in front of me, or a decent recording of it, I have absolutely no idea of what you might be talking about. Discordant resonance??

Maybe that the trem springs are creaking? That could seem like it's coming from the bridge. Try putting paper towels in the trem cavity to damp the noise. That may be the answer.

My best guess is that you just don't like the sound of the vintage saddles. Bent steel saddles are brighter sounding that the block saddles (bear that in mind if you change them). Maybe that's what you are hearing, but 'discordant resonance' is not a term that anyone would use to describe the difference.

If you just don't like the vintage style saddles, that is absolutley fair enough. Change them, see if you prefer the solid ones. Many round here do. For the UK, contact the Music Man distributor, Strings & Things, and see if they have a set of the solid saddles in stock. If they don't, contact Music Man customer service.

The only other thing I can think of, and it is a long shot, is that the strings are catching in the nut slots. As they release, for example when using the trem, they can 'ping' which frequently sounds like it's coming from the bridge rather than the nut. I can see how that might be described as a discordant resonance. Did you try lubricating the string slots?


BTW, the Music Man bent steel saddles are shaped to hold the string in place. The strings are in fact very well 'seated', if that is what your tech was referring to. And in any case there is more than enough downward pressure from the string tension to make sure the string is firm against the saddle. Of course, vintage fender-style saddles are totally flat topped, there is no 'seating' at all, but there are no weird resonance issues there either. Your tech's theory about seating and extraneous noise doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[beej]

I have to agree with Dr Kev. I've had quite a few trems over the years and I've actually changed saddles to the vintage type (because I prefer the added high end 'zing' they have). As he says, you might just prefer block saddles for their sound.

 

[Lou]

Chect to make sure both action height screws are in contact with the bridge plate. If one is loose, you can get some noise.

 

[DrKev]

Check to make sure both action height screws are in contact with the bridge plate. If one is loose, you can get some noise.

Ooh yes, excellent point! I totally forgot that one. Indeed, checking any screws on the guitar, or your amp, at least once a year is always a good idea.

 

[coldsummer]

Thanks for the suggestion Lou, I'll definitely look at that. TBH I think DrKev and Beej are probably right that it is the inherant character of the vintage saddles which is probably the issue more than any actual fault. I have been more used to the JP6 and Axis trems which aren't so bright and 'zingy'. Sorry if my description wasn't very accurate, it's quite difficult to describe what I'm hearing.

Thanks for your thoughts guys, much appreciated.

Oh btw, the conversation I had with the guitar tech came about because I mentioned to him that the former owner of my black Silo had replaced the vintage style saddles with block ones and this doesn't have the issue I am talking about and he told me that it is quite a common thing to do on guitars with vintage style saddles (not just MM, all makes).