Can't stay in tune...help please

[snakeman1986]

So on my PRS Tremonti II I've had trouble ever since I got it about 6 months ago. When I got it, I tried to set it up for drop C# and I've never had a tremolo bridge before...barely even messed with one not to mention a floating one like this...I'm just glad this isn't a Floyd Rose because of the stories I've heard about that, I don't think I could handle anything more complicated than a vintage style trem. Now, every time I use the whammy bar I go out of tune. Sometimes flat, sometimes sharp. What sort of things do I need to look for to try and fix this? Very vague question I know, but everyone says these PRS bridges are great, but I am having a terrible time with mine! I just don't know anything about these types of bridges. Educate me please! Should I just bite the bullet and take it to a tech to have it properly set up?...If I can even find one around here!!!

UPDATE:hey guys just wanted to give an update here. i tried the nut sauce and it pretty much solved my problems. if i do have any other problems in the future, i know it will be due to the nut slots being too small. the guitar came set up with 9-46s i think in standard e. I changed to 10-52s and tune to drop c#. not a huge difference but it seems the thicker strings don't fit in the slots just perfect. right now though it seems to be working just fine so just wanted to give a thanks to everyone that tried to help and bigger thanks to everyone that recommended the nut sauce haha!

 

[primerib]

I'm just glad this isn't a Floyd Rose because of the stories I've heard about that

Are you serious? I'm sorry, but I tuned you out after reading that. You need to use google and educate yourself

 

[snakeman1986]

I'm just glad this isn't a Floyd Rose because of the stories I've heard about that

Are you serious? I'm sorry, but I tuned you out after reading that. You need to use google and educate yourself

wow...sorry I offended you. I was taking a shot at my stupidity not how good floyds are. i've never messed with floyd rose. my point was that i have had enough troubles with this and i heard the floyd rose is complicated. i have used google plenty of times. thanks, you were a big help

 

[Motorpud]

Floyds may seem complicated at first but they stay in tune much better than most of the fixed bridges I've had. I would say before you take it to a tech try some Big Bend's Nut Sauce on the saddles and nut. If that doesn't work I'd just have a tech check it out and make sure everything is in order.

 

[drewiv]

Here is a great research tool from Ibanez Rules! It is written for an Edge tremolo system, but can be applied to any floating trem.

http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech/setup/tuning.htm

 

[suhrimmetal]

Easy fix.. Block the trem.

If you still want to utilize trem, make sure spring tension(in cavity) is tight and correct. Of course adjusting the tension will require you to retune guitar afterwards but it will help hold tune if you have proper tension. Also make sure your neck straight and your nut is good. Nut sauce works great at holding strings pitch, but of course won't make a difference if your trem or neck is the issue. Hope this helps.. Cheerz and good luck bro

Cory

ps..tremonti is a great guitar..good choice

 

[snakeman1986]

Floyds may seem complicated at first but they stay in tune much better than most of the fixed bridges I've had. I would say before you take it to a tech try some Big Bend's Nut Sauce on the saddles and nut. If that doesn't work I'd just have a tech check it out and make sure everything is in order.

Right I knew floyds stay in tune well. I just can't handle anything more complicated that a simple vintage style trem. Thanks I've thought of the nut sauce but I thought I didnt need it with this type of nut? I may give it a try. Thanks again!

 

[snakeman1986]

Here is a great research tool from Ibanez Rules! It is written for an Edge tremolo system, but can be applied to any floating trem.

http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech/setup/tuning.htm

Thanks! Will definitely check it out!

 

[Erock]

if you've never used a trem before, it's probably a good idea to have a tech set it up correctly, and then you can see how it's supposed to function. The bridge should be parallel to the body, as it's probably changed it's angle if you've dropped it to C#. There is also a correct way to string the locking tuners, so the strings aren't binding on their own windings. One big thing that helps tuning stability a lot is stretching the strings thoroughly too, makes a big difference with the floating trems. l have 2 of the Tremonti II, and they are rock solid once you set them up correctly.

 

[snakeman1986]

Easy fix.. Block the trem.

If you still want to utilize trem, make sure spring tension(in cavity) is tight and correct. Of course adjusting the tension will require you to retune guitar afterwards but it will help hold tune if you have proper tension. Also make sure your neck straight and your nut is good. Nut sauce works great at holding strings pitch, but of course won't make a difference if your trem or neck is the issue. Hope this helps.. Cheerz and good luck bro

Cory

ps..tremonti is a great guitar..good choice

I would definitely like to use the trem. Its one of the main reasons I got the tremonti. Thanks for the info. As I stated before I know nothing about trems...other than from other people.

 

[snakeman1986]

if you've never used a trem before, it's probably a good idea to have a tech set it up correctly, and then you can see how it's supposed to function. The bridge should be parallel to the body, as it's probably changed it's angle if you've dropped it to C#. There is also a correct way to string the locking tuners, so the strings aren't binding on their own windings. One big thing that helps tuning stability a lot is stretching the strings thoroughly too, makes a big difference with the floating trems. l have 2 of the Tremonti II, and they are rock solid once you set them up correctly.

Ya I do Stretch the strings a lot after restringing. The bridge was nowhere near parallel to the body when I first dropped it down to drop c# but I did fix that. But I just eyeballed it. It may not be perfect. Does it have to be the exact measurements that the prs website gives u about how high it floats

 

[mboogman]

if you've never used a trem before, it's probably a good idea to have a tech set it up correctly, and then you can see how it's supposed to function. The bridge should be parallel to the body, as it's probably changed it's angle if you've dropped it to C#. There is also a correct way to string the locking tuners, so the strings aren't binding on their own windings. One big thing that helps tuning stability a lot is stretching the strings thoroughly too, makes a big difference with the floating trems. l have 2 of the Tremonti II, and they are rock solid once you set them up correctly.

Definitely agree on the tuners here. With locking tuners, you shouldn't have any more than 3/4 of a wrap around the post to make them work correctly. I had to learn this one the hard way too.

 

[snakeman1986]

if you've never used a trem before, it's probably a good idea to have a tech set it up correctly, and then you can see how it's supposed to function. The bridge should be parallel to the body, as it's probably changed it's angle if you've dropped it to C#. There is also a correct way to string the locking tuners, so the strings aren't binding on their own windings. One big thing that helps tuning stability a lot is stretching the strings thoroughly too, makes a big difference with the floating trems. l have 2 of the Tremonti II, and they are rock solid once you set them up correctly.

Definitely agree on the tuners here. With locking tuners, you shouldn't have any more than 3/4 of a wrap around the post to make them work correctly. I had to learn this one the hard way too.

I definitely try very hard to do this. Tho it can get pretty difficult for me sometimes because when I change strings I take them all off so that I can clean the fretboard really well instead of doing each string one at a time to keep tension. My high e has about 3/4 of a wrap and it's the worst one. I may just find a tech to set it up correctly just in case. It stays in tune gr8 right now....until I use the trem of course.

 

[thisguy]

This page has some good info about oiling the tremelo and gives the measurements for a correct setup. That's where I would start.http://www.prsguitars.com/csc/bridges.html

If you put thicker strings on the guitar the nut may have to be filed a little bit.

 

[steve_k]

So on my PRS Tremonti II I've had trouble ever since I got it about 6 months ago. When I got it, I tried to set it up for drop C# and I've never had a tremolo bridge before...barely even messed with one not to mention a floating one like this...I'm just glad this isn't a Floyd Rose because of the stories I've heard about that, I don't think I could handle anything more complicated than a vintage style trem. Now, every time I use the whammy bar I go out of tune. Sometimes flat, sometimes sharp. What sort of things do I need to look for to try and fix this? Very vague question I know, but everyone says these PRS bridges are great, but I am having a terrible time with mine! I just don't know anything about these types of bridges. Educate me please! Should I just bite the bullet and take it to a tech to have it properly set up?...If I can even find one around here!!!

The main thing you got to watch for with any floating trim, especially when you remove string tension and drop tune is that the bridge remains fairly level. With string tension lower, the springs are going to pull the trem block and the bridge will lay back. You need to remove some spring tension. If you still have 3 springs on it, then loose the claw screws a bit and tune it up. Make minor adjustments as needed. If you have more than 3 springs in it, remove one before messing with the claw screws.

Steve

 

[Chris O]

I'd take a Floyd over a vintage trem ANY day. Once set up, they are bomber. I have never had a vintage that was worth the metal it was made of.

Spring tension, string gauge, nut slot,etc., LOTS of considerations. Might want to see a tech. One thing I won't mess with is a nut (no pun intended).

 

['63-Strat]

So on my PRS Tremonti II I've had trouble ever since I got it about 6 months ago. When I got it, I tried to set it up for drop C# and I've never had a tremolo bridge before...barely even messed with one not to mention a floating one like this...I'm just glad this isn't a Floyd Rose because of the stories I've heard about that, I don't think I could handle anything more complicated than a vintage style trem. Now, every time I use the whammy bar I go out of tune. Sometimes flat, sometimes sharp. What sort of things do I need to look for to try and fix this? Very vague question I know, but everyone says these PRS bridges are great, but I am having a terrible time with mine! I just don't know anything about these types of bridges. Educate me please! Should I just bite the bullet and take it to a tech to have it properly set up?...If I can even find one around here!!!

I assume you were going from standard to C#? As said, that would mean you want to loosen/remove some springs if you want to use the trem easily but you also probably need to re-intonate the guitar for that tuning too. Trems aren't *that* hard to deal with once you know how, but might be a good idea to take it to a tech since this is your first time dealing with one and just get him to walk you through it a bit afterwards.

 

[Telephant]

So on my PRS Tremonti II I've had trouble ever since I got it about 6 months ago. When I got it, I tried to set it up for drop C# and I've never had a tremolo bridge before...barely even messed with one not to mention a floating one like this...I'm just glad this isn't a Floyd Rose because of the stories I've heard about that, I don't think I could handle anything more complicated than a vintage style trem. Now, every time I use the whammy bar I go out of tune. Sometimes flat, sometimes sharp. What sort of things do I need to look for to try and fix this? Very vague question I know, but everyone says these PRS bridges are great, but I am having a terrible time with mine! I just don't know anything about these types of bridges. Educate me please! Should I just bite the bullet and take it to a tech to have it properly set up?...If I can even find one around here!!!

be a good idea to take it to a tech since this is your first time dealing with one and just get him to walk you through it a bit afterwards.

This.

 

[GuitarGuyLP]

Since you are tuning so low I would imagine that you are using thicker strings. I would think that they are binding at the nut, and you should bring it in for a set up since they will expand the nut slots so that the string shoudl pass through nice, and easy.

Hope this helps. BTW with a floyd you wouldn't have this problem, but I only play hard tails now so it is even easier for me to do setups.

 

[snakeman1986]

hey guys just wanted to give an update here. i tried the nut sauce and it pretty much solved my problems. if i do have any other problems in the future, i know it will be due to the nut slots being too small. the guitar came set up with 9-46s i think in standard e. I changed to 10-52s and tune to drop c#. not a huge difference but it seems the thicker strings don't fit in the slots just perfect. right now though it seems to be working just fine so just wanted to give a thanks to everyone that tried to help and bigger thanks to everyone that recommended the nut sauce haha!