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The low E tuning stability is terrible (suddenly).

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  • The low E tuning stability is terrible (suddenly).

    I have a Jackson KE3 with a JT580LP trem. I replaced the nut with a matching 1-11/16" Schaller nut. It's been working fine for months, until recently...
    I did a few whammy dives and I noticed that the strings were off by a few cents (normal on a JT580LP), however, the low E was off by as much as a full step (it went from E to D). It went flat.
    What's wrong? Even after I retuned it, this keeps happening whenever I do a big bend or a dive bomb.

    Thanks!
    Last edited by Mario8672; 04-07-2007, 12:44 PM.
    Jackson SL2H (nebula) '08
    Gibson Les Paul Standard (ebony) '03
    Marshall JCM800 50W + Marshall 2x12

  • #2
    Are the pressure pads for the nut clean and free of grooves? are the strings seated completely in the bridge? Are the blocks cracking or not tightened all the way? There could also be a bure on the nut catching the strings and pulling them sharp. Just som eideas off the top of my head.
    Gil

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    • #3
      The nut has no grooves on it. (and is in near-mint condition)
      The strings are completely seated into the bridge.
      The string blocks are tightened all the way.
      Jackson SL2H (nebula) '08
      Gibson Les Paul Standard (ebony) '03
      Marshall JCM800 50W + Marshall 2x12

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      • #4
        Old, bad string, maybe?
        I feel my soul go cold... only the dead are smiling.

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        • #5
          It's only a month old pack of strings. They worked until yesterday.
          Jackson SL2H (nebula) '08
          Gibson Les Paul Standard (ebony) '03
          Marshall JCM800 50W + Marshall 2x12

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          • #6
            Originally posted by Mario8672 View Post
            It's only a month old pack of strings. They worked until yesterday.
            Once strings get to a month old they are often due for a change.

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            • #7
              I don't wanna scare ya but has the guitar been dropped recently?

              A hairline crack in the neck will cause the it to go out of tune the way your describing.

              When I put new strings on any of my guitars I go through a process of using the trem like it would normally be used... well maybe a little more.

              I tune up then play a little normal things then kinda reef on the wammy both up and down. Tune it up again. I do that a few more times then I lock the nut.

              Try doing a Pettrucci slap on the trem sometimes that'll bring it back in tune.

              Good luck.

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              • #8
                No I didn't drop it, there's no cracks
                Jackson SL2H (nebula) '08
                Gibson Les Paul Standard (ebony) '03
                Marshall JCM800 50W + Marshall 2x12

                Comment


                • #9
                  Check to see if the low E string saddle is tight on the bridge sounds like its loose and moving a bit.Check all the saddle adj screws and make sure the are tight.
                  Really? well screw Mark Twain.

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                  • #10
                    yea...check the saddle adjustment screws. i remember when i first changed strings on my Dinky...no matter what i did i couldnt figure out why the trem wasnt returning to pitch (G string always went out horribly). finally figured out the intonation screw was loose and allowing the saddle to move. now, everytime i change strings i check to make sure theyre snug, and havent had a problem since
                    My metal band Lucian Scott
                    Debut Album Defiance on the Steps of Heaven
                    Available Now!
                    New Album Coming Soon!

                    Lucian Scott Soundclick

                    Soundclick page : clips and jams

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                    • #11
                      Also check to make sure the nut is snug too.
                      Really? well screw Mark Twain.

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                      • #12
                        I think I mentioned it on a stickied thread, but see if you can affect the tuning of that string with the tuning peg on your headstock while it's locked down at the nut. If you can, then you aren't clamping correctly at the nut.

                        Pete

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by soc_monki View Post
                          yea...check the saddle adjustment screws. i remember when i first changed strings on my Dinky...no matter what i did i couldnt figure out why the trem wasnt returning to pitch (G string always went out horribly). finally figured out the intonation screw was loose and allowing the saddle to move. now, everytime i change strings i check to make sure theyre snug, and havent had a problem since
                          Same thing happened to be, it drove me nuts for a few days until I noticed that the saddle for that string (also the low E) didn't look like it was where it was supposed to be. The screw was just loose enough to move it slightly every time I used the floyd bar.
                          Guitars:
                          Charvel: USA Pro Mod Slime Green
                          1988 Model 2,
                          Jackson: Dinky HSS 'Blue/Orange Flame'
                          RR3
                          Gibson: 1978 Les Paul Spl Dbl Cut
                          1992 LP Studio 'Lite'
                          2005 SG Special

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                          • #14
                            I'd say the screws actually holding your nut on the neck aren't tight.

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by jrnic View Post
                              Same thing happened to be, it drove me nuts for a few days until I noticed that the saddle for that string (also the low E) didn't look like it was where it was supposed to be. The screw was just loose enough to move it slightly every time I used the floyd bar.
                              only took me a few minutes to figure out...reason being i was playing a gig that night and was going to use that guitar no matter what! LOL checked everything but the intonation screws and a light bulb went off and thats what the problem was. never had a problem since!
                              My metal band Lucian Scott
                              Debut Album Defiance on the Steps of Heaven
                              Available Now!
                              New Album Coming Soon!

                              Lucian Scott Soundclick

                              Soundclick page : clips and jams

                              Comment

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