TUNING ISSUES WITH NON-LOCKING TREMOLO SYSTEMS AND HOW TO SOLVE THEM
Many of us who have played electric guitar for years are all too familiar with the tuning issues that are inherently part of playing an instrument with a standard, non-locking tremolo system. Over the years we have all developed little setup tricks and practices that are designed to help relieve these issues. In this article I will discuss some of the most widely used of these tricks in the spirit of helpful information sharing and the hope that you will find some of them useful when setting up your standard trem guitars.
The vast majority of standard trems in use today are the classic Strat style that we all know and loathe. While this type of trem system can work quite well, it usually doesn’t without some serious tweaking. Let’s start at the headstock and work our way toward the bridge saddles.
First thing to remember, there are basically four different points at which you can experience a problem with these trems. At the tuning machine, at the nut, at the bridge (at the saddle or the fulcrum points) and in the tremolo cavity in the back of the guitar (where the trem springs interact with the claw and the block).
We’ll address the tuning machines first. Downward pressure at the nut is normally a good thing, but excessive downward pressure at the nut of a tremolo equipped guitar can create a trouble spot. This can be alleviated by getting in the habit of always winding the string up the tuner shaft instead of down like the normal practice dictates. String trees can be an issue at this point as well. If your guitar is equipped with string trees try raising them up with a few turns on their mounting screws or not using them at all. These two tips can drastically reduce friction as the string slides through the nut when the tremolo is in use.
Next, we’ll take a look at the nut. While the manufacturers usually do a pretty good job of filing the nut slots, they don’t always nail it perfectly for heavy tremolo use. Make sure that the slots are smoothly filed to be a bit wider than the strings you are using. As an example, I will usually string my guitars with .010 – .046 sets and I will file the first nut slot with a size .016 file (note how much larger than the string the nut slot is cut). This makes for a smooth path for the string to slide through as the trem is used. Many times I will also use some type of lubricant in the nut slot to further aid in this regard. There are several things available on the market to help here. Look to Finger Ease, Kyser and others for lubricating agents to apply to your strings or directly in the nut slots. Even graphite (pencil lead, ground up) will do this job nicely, though you will have to reapply on a regular basis.
Now we move on to the bridge. Check your string saddles for any rough edges or burrs that might cause the string to catch and bind during tremolo use. If you find any they can be smoothed out with small precision files like the ones used at the nut slots. Be sure to carefully inspect the saddles as the tiny imperfections that can cause a problem are often quite hard to see. Next, make sure that your tremolo operates smoothly throughout its range of travel. You should not hear any little “clinking” noises. If you do, check the adjustment screws that attach the bridge to the body (you may have a two-point attachment or a six screw attachment). Make sure that these points are properly adjusted for correct height and smooth operation.
OK, now we move to the tremolo cavity. You will want to make sure that there are no glitches here that cause your tremolo to catch anywhere. Any issues at this point can cause your tremolo to fail to return to the exact same spot after depressing the trem arm and then releasing it. Whether you have your bridge set to “float” (leaving room to pull back on the arm as well as pushing it down) or set to return tightly against the body it is critical to be sure that your trem works smoothly here or all of the work you’ve done up till now will have been for nothing. Use files or fine sandpaper or a bit of lubricant at any point that seems to be a problem and you should be able to successfully smooth out any glitches that exist. There may be some trial and error involved in accomplishing your task here but if you persevere you will conquer any problems that you may run into.
If you follow these basic tips for tremolo setup you will certainly be ahead of the game when it comes to smooth tremolo operation. If your first run at it isn’t completely successful, don’t worry. Keep at it and you will get better and better as time passes. If you need any direction as far as what to use for lubricants or supplies check out the gang at WorldMusicSupply.com for more info.
Happy Whammy Barring!
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