#1
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Advice for electric newbie
My 16yo son has been teaching himself to play guitar on my acoustic and loving it (Yay! But also, GIVE ME MY GUITAR BACK)
He decided to buy an electric with his birthday money, and after quite a bit of research and a visit to a guitar shop to try a few out, he bought a used Ibanez online from a reputable UK retailer (would have liked to support the bricks and mortar shop, but they really didn't have anything suitable in his price range). Anyway.. the guitar arrived yesterday and he's thrilled to bits with it, BUT it just won't stay in tune. In fact most of the time it's going sharp. I'm wondering whether this has anything to do with the tremolo bar, which is a Floyd Rose type, or the locking nuts (not sure what they're called) up at the nut, somehow pulling the strings sharp after tuning? He's also had two strings break, but I suspect that might be as a result of all the inept fiddling around we've been doing. I'm hoping to get it to a local tech in the next few days, but I'd be hugely grateful for any advice in the meantime. There's only so many times you can listen to the first eight bars of Purple Haze played out of tune on four strings Last edited by Victoria; 08-25-2017 at 01:07 AM. |
#2
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Look online how to set up a Floyd Rose. They're tricky but once set they're very stable regardless of how bad you abuse that whammy bar. It's possible the strings it came with are old, the fact that it won't stay in tune and two broke usually means bad strings.
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#3
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Great, thanks very much. We've got a new set of strings for it so we'll give them a try. The whole thing looks hideously complicated, I've gotta say it really makes me appreciate the simplicity of my acoustic!
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#4
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Edge
I recently got a guitar with a Floyd tremolo - first trek guitar I've ever owned and they are very stable when setup but take patience to get right. I agree with the bad strings diagnosis. Also since it is an ibanez it likely is not a Floyd but is their own Edge tremolo which is similar but comes in several versions so adjustment will be slightly different. In some versions a bit easier actually as they have a counter spring and wheel adjustment for the springs on the back. There are plenty of tutorials for both online just make sure you're following the right one! Also check the clamping parts of the nut which can wear and get grooves which will impact their ability to lock the strings and may need to be replaced but they are cheap.
Mostly make sure you've got an hour or two to fiddle with it the first time it is an exercise in patience for sure but not that hard.
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Taylor 517e Yamaha AC3R PRS Custom 22 semi special PRS Custom 24 Rickenbacker 330 Teles (too many) Bad Cat Cub III 30R Goodsell Super 17 Vintage Sound VS22 Too many pedals! |
#5
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My advice is to send it back in exchange for a hardtail bridge.
Tremolo is an unnecessary accoutrement for beginners imo. Good luck! |
#6
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I can't argue with this sentiment since it took me 35 years before I owned a tremolo guitar - it can certainly be a distraction but there are plenty of good players I know who had various tremolo guitars early on and managed
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Taylor 517e Yamaha AC3R PRS Custom 22 semi special PRS Custom 24 Rickenbacker 330 Teles (too many) Bad Cat Cub III 30R Goodsell Super 17 Vintage Sound VS22 Too many pedals! |
#7
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Welcome to the AGF HesNot!
All we talk about is guitars and stuff... |
#8
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This is encouraging, thank you HesNot! In your experience, does this type of tremolo need adjustment after every string change? |
#9
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Once setup, however, they'll stay in tune almost indefinitely it seems!
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Taylor 517e Yamaha AC3R PRS Custom 22 semi special PRS Custom 24 Rickenbacker 330 Teles (too many) Bad Cat Cub III 30R Goodsell Super 17 Vintage Sound VS22 Too many pedals! |
#10
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I think the Ibanez are a great deal for money. I just picked this one at a local guitar center, tag on it was for $199 US.
My also came with their standard tremolo, but I just keep the arm off and it stays in tune pretty good. Good luck, it's probably just the strings or I'm sure can be fixed. Cheers... Todd in Chicago |
#11
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Oh yeah it takes at least an hour to set a double-locking tremolo bridge. I also wanna add that for easier setup, stick to 9 gauge strings since most "shred" guitars are usually set at the factory for 9's. Put anything thicker and now you have to deal with adding springs and/or tightening the claw screws. |
#12
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Can't tell you what a relief it'll be when he's actually playing in tune! |
#13
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I suggested to my son that he might take the tremolo arm off, but apparently it's essential to his inner Jimi Hendrix |
#14
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Completely understood!
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#15
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