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I have an S-500 with DF Vibrato Bridge. I have a big problem: I tend to play strings and then improvise using the string as the root note. Eg: Play the 6th, leave it ringing and improvising over E doric.
Here is the problem: Whenever I bend any string, my root gets toned down. Get it? I don´t know if I´m being sufficiently clear.
Play the E, leave it ringing, bend another string, E turns to Eb (acutally 1/4 down, not half step).
I have a strat as well, and this does not happen, I´m guessing I have to adjust the DF bridge. Now, how do I do this? Should I put extra springs in the back or adjust the allen bolts on top of it? Some other magic recipe?
I have an S-500 with DF Vibrato Bridge. I have a big problem: I tend to play strings and then improvise using the string as the root note. Eg: Play the 6th, leave it ringing and improvising over E doric.
Here is the problem: Whenever I bend any string, my root gets toned down. Get it? I don´t know if I´m being sufficiently clear.
Play the E, leave it ringing, bend another string, E turns to Eb (acutally 1/4 down, not half step).
I have a strat as well, and this does not happen, I´m guessing I have to adjust the DF bridge. Now, how do I do this? Should I put extra springs in the back or adjust the allen bolts on top of it? Some other magic recipe?
Thanks a lot!
A good starting point is to make sure the bridge setup is to factory specs. Check this post: Current Factory setups for DF vibrato G&L guitars.
This post is in the G&L Knowledgebase, G&L Tech Tips sub-forum and you should browse the posts in there for possible solutions.
that is what happens on a floating trem. my guess would be the trem on your strat is not floating. the df is designed to float, but you can have it rest on the body. the problem is that there may not be enough adjustment in the saddles, in which case you will need to shim the neck.
btw, setting it up to factory spec will not fix this.
You can try using extra springs, but all vibrato systems will detune to some degree when bending as will trapeze-style tailpieces. Even some guitars, like Gibson SGs will do this, with their stop tail, because the neck joint is weak.
There are some aftermarket add-ons that purport to address this, like the Tremolo-no.
Boogie Bill wrote:What gauge strings are you using?
You can try using extra springs, but all vibrato systems will detune to some degree when bending as will trapeze-style tailpieces. Even some guitars, like Gibson SGs will do this, with their stop tail, because the neck joint is weak.
There are some aftermarket add-ons that purport to address this, like the Tremolo-no.
Bill
tremol-no works, but you lose the trem when engaged. if the trem is set up for dive only, sitting on the body, this will not happen. the trem king trem doesn't do it at all, even in full float. saying that all vibrato systems will detune when bending is not accurate.
Boogie Bill wrote:What gauge strings are you using?
You can try using extra springs, but all vibrato systems will detune to some degree when bending as will trapeze-style tailpieces. Even some guitars, like Gibson SGs will do this, with their stop tail, because the neck joint is weak.
There are some aftermarket add-ons that purport to address this, like the Tremolo-no.
Bill
tremol-no works, but you lose the trem when engaged. if the trem is set up for dive only, sitting on the body, this will not happen. the trem king trem doesn't do it at all, even in full float. saying that all vibrato systems will detune when bending is not accurate.
I was thinking on adding extra springs to at least give it a bit more resistance.
Louis, what do you mean exactly when you say "all vibrato systems will detune when bending is not accurate"?
Boogie Bill wrote:What gauge strings are you using?
You can try using extra springs, but all vibrato systems will detune to some degree when bending as will trapeze-style tailpieces. Even some guitars, like Gibson SGs will do this, with their stop tail, because the neck joint is weak.
There are some aftermarket add-ons that purport to address this, like the Tremolo-no.
Bill
tremol-no works, but you lose the trem when engaged. if the trem is set up for dive only, sitting on the body, this will not happen. the trem king trem doesn't do it at all, even in full float. saying that all vibrato systems will detune when bending is not accurate.
I was thinking on adding extra springs to at least give it a bit more resistance.
Louis, what do you mean exactly when you say "all vibrato systems will detune when bending is not accurate"?
it means that some vibrato systems will not detune when bending.
nachoharriague wrote:Thanks Craig. As Louis said, setting it to factory spec did no good.
Louis, thanks for the tips. I need a little translation: what is shimming? (I´m from Argentina )
Thanks!
I did not say that doing a factory setup would fix the problem, only that it would be a good starting point.
Did you find any useful information in any of the other posts in the G&L Tech Tips sub-forum?
nachoharriague wrote:Thanks Craig. As Louis said, setting it to factory spec did no good.
Louis, thanks for the tips. I need a little translation: what is shimming? (I´m from Argentina )
Thanks!
I did not say that doing a factory setup would fix the problem, only that it would be a good starting point.
Did you find any useful information in any of the other posts in the G&L Tech Tips sub-forum?
Please keep us in the loop as you work this out.
not for his situation. he should start with a decked trem.
I am changing the gauge to .11 and need to buy the backplate (?) for 5 springs as my guitar came with the one for just 3.
I´m pretty sure 3 springs won´t cut it and I´ll need either 4 or 5.
any suggestions on how many springs? Any idea on where I can buy the damn thing? I live in Argentina and there is absolutely no way of getting these here. I´ll be in the US for 10 days in a week and would like to come back with these.
Even 5 springs on 11's if you don't buy wise could still lift on you bro.11's at concert as a stand alone is a fair bit of tension on your bridge & springs are not just one generic strength I've found.some are strong out of the box.some bouncy & light etc.maybe Louis knows a certain brand of spring though that'll cut out the risk for you & it will deck good & proper.
However with a tremel no for the sake of a couple of holes that will cover the existing ones anyway you can have your cake & eat it too.you need the pin version though,this one here..
wasting a perfectly good DF by decking it man & taking an arrow out of your quiver musically (unless of course you dont use a trem at all) but ultimately she's your plank hence your call
Cheers..
nachoharriague wrote:Thanks Black. Im actually NOT looking to deck the bridge, but stabilize it a bit more, add some more resistance to it.
As far as the .11s go, although it is a pretty heavy gauge I don't think it's that bad, right?
Mate I think the Stevie ray was on 12's at one stage from memory & he didn't seem to have any problems handling a tremolo
Though I think SRV tuned to Eb which would have made it a bit easier.
All understood bro now I know where you're at,the 5 spring claw or industrial strength springs to replace the 3 you got in the DF now might be ok.
I'm not sure where you are in Argentina but if you're in the city could you perhaps find a popular guitar luthier & try some springs he might have in stock? He could also have a spring claw as well from an old tremolo system that is broken etc.
Thanks. I think I´ll have to go with extra springs though, so new tremolo claw.
Thanks Black for your tip about the Luthier. The issue here is that imports are virtually closed, so getting even the tiniest, stupidest things is a mess. :$
I don´t know if I´m being sufficiently clear. 
