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String catching in nut.

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Domigan_Lefty  
10 Aug 2011 12:17 | Quote
Joined: 20 Sep 2009
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I got a new guitar last week (I needed one that would stay Olin tune during normal use and I could leave at school for Jazz band).
It came with a whammy bar, but I noticed the strings (most of them) go sharp when I whammy, then back to normal when I bend them.

So do I need to either lube the nut or file it some or what?
I'm used to Floyd Roses, and this isn't one so I'm not too great with the whammy maintaining yet.
(and what would be best to use?)
Domigan_Lefty  
10 Aug 2011 12:19 | Quote
Joined: 20 Sep 2009
United States
Karma: 8
Ps. The nut appears to be a hard plastic or other hard white substance.
gshredder2112  
10 Aug 2011 12:31 | Quote
Joined: 03 Sep 2010
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Any none floyd will go sharp after strenous use.
tinyskateboard  
10 Aug 2011 12:59 | Quote
Joined: 28 Apr 2010
United States
Karma: 11
I have some experience here and a warning. Your nut is probably not as well cut as it should be. A really fine piece of sandpaper folded in half and rubbed a few times (very few times like 3) in each slot can help. Graphite lube can also help. If the nut is really pooly cut you may do better with a new nut, like a Graphtech.

The warning: you can mess up the intonation is you take too much nut off the edge facing the fretboard. The nut needs a consistent break angle to keep the strings all in the same plane and the same length. ***So my whole post is for entertainment purposes only...never repair your own guitar because some yahoo on a message board suggested it.***

Shlouldn't a Floyd Rose be matched with a Roller Nut or a Locking nut?
case211  
10 Aug 2011 13:22 | Quote
Joined: 26 Feb 2009
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You'll also notice that strings still won't stay great for tuning if you get extreme with the whammy. Some light use like some vibrato effect on chords isn't going to throw off the tuning if you do what TSB said or get someone to do it for you at a guitar shop you should be okay for long sets and keeping the thing in tune.
tinyskateboard  
10 Aug 2011 13:45 | Quote
Joined: 28 Apr 2010
United States
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Is it a fender style tremelo? I mis-read that it was FRose knockoff...I don't know where I got that.

?: Whammy barring isn't used in a lot of jazz is it?
Domigan_Lefty  
10 Aug 2011 13:58 | Quote
Joined: 20 Sep 2009
United States
Karma: 8
@TSB
it's a basic strat whammy. I know it's not used a lot in jazz, but I find ways to make it work (light vibratos, etc. Nothing crazy). Plus we have sound proof rooms and a Line6 amp...

I "cleaned" out the nut slots (had some not fully cut parts) and put some graphite on/around the slots. So that fixed the catching while tuning.
I also loosened the springs so the armoves easier and it's set so if I depress the whammy at all it jumps in tune. However if I bend it detunes.

Thanks for the suggestions. I went on google and found at least 20 different "best methods" but the advice here works perfectly.
MoshZilla1016  
10 Aug 2011 14:08 | Quote
Joined: 10 Jul 2010
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A while back I read that when tuning try to tune above the desired pitch then lower the tuning to the correct pitch. It's supposed to take the tension off of the string thus removing any slack that may occur. I've never tried it, mine has a double lock, but it's worth a try.
Domigan_Lefty  
18 Aug 2011 14:56 | Quote
Joined: 20 Sep 2009
United States
Karma: 8
I think I found a way!!!!

If you set the bridge so that it floats (not too much or it'll go out of intonation) it doesn't go out of tune when you bend or whammy!
I got the idea thinking of Jimi Hendrix and I had heard he had his strat set so a slight float, so I tried it and it works.

However it is a pain to initially tune.


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