Staying in tune while gently using a vintage trem?

[olectric]

Is it realistic? My Cobra's B and high E strings go sharp when I use my trem for vibrato. I don't do any dive bombs, and I think that it really started happening when I put a different set of strings on my guitar. I don't know if that would have anything to do with it, especially since they're the same gauge. Should I do something to the nut? I've heard of guys taking a mechanical pencil and drawing in the slots on the nut. The graphite from the pencil is supposed to lube the slots for the strings to return to pitch more easily. Should I add a fourth spring to the trem block? Any help would be much appreciated.

[sylvanshine]

No standard trem is going to stay in tune all the time. Any friction point is your enemy. The things that I do are 1) Nut sauce on the string tree, the slots and the saddles 2) gently widen the sides of the slots with a small file and 3) work with the springs in the back so that the trem moves easily, but returns flat. When you can bend a big note and not move the bridge, that's about right 4) stretch the life out of the strings

The fact that your High E goes sharp makes me think nut slot is pinching. B could be that too and/or the tree.

Just my approach. Others I'm sure are different.

[GaryMcT]

I had the same problem with my drop top. . a little touch of any sort of graphite on the nut fixed it right up.

[olectric]

Cool; I'll try the graphite thing on the nut and the tree.

[njjessee]

Olectric - My Cobra was built around the same time as yours (03-17-05P) and I also experienced the B and E strings going sharp with light use of the trem. I like the trem to float and use it very lightly during volume swells and such. I still use the same brand and guage of strings the guitar was set up with.

I had been placing a drop of Tri-flow in the slots, but it still went sharp. I've just switched over to using Big Bends Nut Sauce and that has seemed to solve the problem.

Noah

[olectric]

Olectric - My Cobra was built around the same time as yours (03-17-05P) and I also experienced the B and E strings going sharp with light use of the trem. I like the trem to float and use it very lightly during volume swells and such. I still use the same brand and guage of strings the guitar was set up with.

I had been placing a drop of Tri-flow in the slots, but it still went sharp. I've just switched over to using Big Bends Nut Sauce and that has seemed to solve the problem.

Noah

Cool...I'll try the BB stuff. I drew with a pencil in the nut's grooves before church today, and it seemed to help quite a bit. Every little bit helps, right? So, I'll try that stuff yer talking about. Thanks man

[tom]

another low tech solution is vaseline. noah, don't forget the string retainer. the bridge pivot studs could also use some lube from time to time.

[dannopelli]

Olectric - My Cobra was built around the same time as yours (03-17-05P) and I also experienced the B and E strings going sharp with light use of the trem. I like the trem to float and use it very lightly during volume swells and such. I still use the same brand and guage of strings the guitar was set up with.

I had been placing a drop of Tri-flow in the slots, but it still went sharp. I've just switched over to using Big Bends Nut Sauce and that has seemed to solve the problem.

Noah
BIG + on the Nut Sauce. You may find that you need to use some dental floss to remove it from the smaller nut slots between string changes, (YES SHAUN I STOLE YOUR IDEA!)

[dannopelli]

another low tech solution is vaseline. noah, don't forget the string retainer. the bridge pivot studs could also use some lube from time to time.

BTW I have six Andys from 2003 to 2005. Four have vintage trems. No tuning issues ever.

[Casper]

On my 96 Classic, I replaced the string tree with a graphite one and yes, I do go through the nut with dental floss every other string change. I have had the same small bottle of triflow since my first Andy in '93. I have never oiled the saddles and my classic stays in tune flawlessly...I am also a Floyd player, so the vintage trm gets a work out naturally..
Is there THAT big of a difference with the Nut Sauce vs. Triflow?
I might want a more precise delivery for my saddles on the DT, I am getting used to having a Floyd again...

Shaun

[tom]

the nut sause is heavier, so it might stay around longer. i still use triflo here.