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Groups » The Guitars » Tunning issues with my Flaxwood Rautia

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22.05.2009, 19:05

I recently got my Rautia and I didn't like the strings it came with, so I restrung it with an Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky set and removed one of the springs in the Schaller Tremolo so the tremolo was in a good position but I haven't been able to get it to stay in tune for more than 15-20 minutes of playing. Do you have a solution?
- nathanone

REPLIES

26.05.2009, 12:15

jussi

How!

Sorry I missed your message earlier; there's some kind of technical bug with the forum updating info which is being fixed right now.

Before I offer a solution, let me ask this:

When you say "good position", how do you have the tremolo set up? Ideally, the tremolo should be parallel to the body. This might become an issue if you remove a spring.

You can also refer to our new Setup, Care and Maintenance videos (specifically the Bridge Adjustment part) here:

www.flaxwood.com

-J

- jussi

26.05.2009, 17:26

nathanone

Thanks for the reply, the problem was that without removing the spring I could barely 'go up' with the tremolo, so I removed one spring so that with the lighter string gauge, the tremolo would be in its original position. However using a hybrid set meant that the strings weren't quite light enough to get the tail piece to rest on the two bits of metal which would give it a stable tuning and tremolo position. I've just been experimenting with different tunings and I found that it works properly when tuned to Eb. I think when I get round to ordering new strings, I will get an extra slinky set rather than the hybrid slinky since otherwise I will need new springs for the tremolo.

Despite this it's an awesome guitar and can't wait to gig with it over the summer!

- nathanone

31.05.2009, 13:17

richard

Hi Nate!
May I ask some question, to see if I can help you pin point the problem?
1.) Which spring did you remove? Seeing how you use a hybrid set, the difference in tension
between the treble and bass-side of the tremolo could be significant, and therefore you might need to adapt the spring-tension to also be "hybrid" if you get my point.

2.) Are you absolutely sure that the knife-edges have been properly aligned after re-assembling the tremolo?

3.) The tremolo not resting on the "back-stops" shouldn't really affect the stability that much, since even without them there, the tremolo's floating action would still work. Those are there first and foremost thereto prevent the tremolo-strings from pulling the tremolo-part with the knife-edges out of the groove in the tune-o-matic part.

4.) That the problem seem to dissipate when in Eb, suggests that we ARE indeed talking about a mis-match in spring to string tension.

5.) You mention that you couldn't go "up" with the tremolo. I assume you mean pulling the pitch sharp? If so, having that additional spring still attached should only serve to facilitate this, not hinder it, since the spring pull would actually help you pull back.

Let me know if I have misunderstood you in some way, so that we can find a solution to your problem ASAP! Summer is at hand, and giging-galore ensues!

BR/
Richard

- richard

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