Charvel Star Legacy Gold tuning problem

[straycat]

Properly winding the strings on the tuning post and stretching the strings properly are very important for tuning stability.

[straycat]

That "luthier" is trying to sell you locking tuners and he sounds like an ass hat.
OMG put a floyd nut on it to fix the problem?? The guy is an idiot.
Look at it this way locking tuners lock the string on the post thats it.If the nut isn't cut right locking tuners aren't going to change where the problem is.
Once you get the nut straightened out the guitar will be "right".

[METALLICO]

thanks straycat! do you think i can do this? or i may bring it to a local pro luthier?

[METALLICO]

the video helps, but c'mon, who changes the strings every 2 weeks!? 2 times/year may be reasonable for an average playing (especially who has lots of guitars)

[straycat]

the video helps, but c'mon, who changes the strings every 2 weeks!? 2 times/year may be reasonable for an average playing (especially who has lots of guitars)

Someone who plays gigs every weekend or one that sweats salt water. I have worked for bands where I had to re string every day.
I posted the clip to show you how to properly stretch your strings and how to properly string a guitar.
That depends on how well you trust yourself.LOL If you don't have nut files I would suggest a good experienced tech not that guy you described.

[ulijdavid]

I have a quick test to find if the strings are binding in the nut. Tune the guitar - assuming this can be done. Push on a single string behind the nut to cause it to go sharp. Let it return and check pitch. If it stays sharp it is hanging up in the nut. Do this for each string and find which ones are binding. Vintage V trems are NOT Floyds. They will not stay in tune with heavy use. Some people get lucky, but it is very uncommon. Resting the trem on the body as Straycat recommends, takes the floating aspect out of the trem and eliminates one more potential problem. I would try to find a Fender authorized luthier. The V-trem has the same functionality as a standard Fender. There is no magic to it, it is really just a kinematically poor design. The Floyd Rose has so many enhancements. The main being:
1. locking nut
2. string locked at the saddle
3. saddle locked down - you want to know why you can't abuse a standard strat trem? Jam down on the bar and watch the saddles move - if they don't go back to the exact position you will be out of tune.

With all of this stated, the V-trem should be able to be tuned and used effectively with normal fretboard note bends.

[j2379]

a vtrem unless locked down against the body is a balancing act. if your using 2 springs or just have a heavy hand you might be warbling the trem hence out of tune. a slight V into the nut can also help as can graphite.

[ginsambo]

Your Charvel is basically a Fender Strat as regards hardware. V trems are a lot harder to dive, think of them somewhere in between Floyds and Hardtails and they do prefer to be sprung quite tight. My V trem Strats all stay in tune perfectly and I dive the trems and do 6 step bends on them.

However Charvel V trems and hardtails always have had bad tuning stability. My USA reissue does and so does my dreamsicle when I do bends. On these guitars this is due to the strings binding at the nut - when you do the bend behind the nut test they go sharp and do not return to pitch. Make sure your nut slots are suited for your string gauge and wax them with dental floss.

When using a V trem, as opposed to a floyd, soooo many other things have to be set up correctly for it not to go out of tune and it takes a lot more time to set it up properly.

Tuner string winding - only tune up and use a maximum of two winds that do not cross over, if you detune, detune a long way, then tune up. This is the same with all Hardtails and TOM bridge guitars.
String trees - Lub with oil
Trem saddles - lub with oil and make sure they work smoothly and aren't binding
Trem claws - You are probably best off screwing in the claw at an angle with more tension on the high E string
Trem Springs - I prefer using five and a rigid setup and only dive the trem 2 steps but you can float it with 3 springs
Trem screws - I set these up per Fender but you can float a V trem with three springs (Aka Carl Verheyen) and raise your screws, leaving the high and Low E screws lower. Then the sping claw angle becomes more critical also as you have to balance the string tension precisely:.....

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=46809&start=15

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy-F7iSIopA

[straycat]

I agree.

[sah5150]

Your Charvel is basically a Fender Strat as regards hardware. V trems are a lot harder to dive, think of them somewhere in between Floyds and Hardtails and they do prefer to be sprung quite tight. My V trem Strats all stay in tune perfectly and I dive the trems and do 6 step bends on them.

However Charvel V trems and hardtails always have had bad tuning stability. My USA reissue does and so does my dreamsicle when I do bends. On these guitars this is due to the strings binding at the nut - when you do the bend behind the nut test they go sharp and do not return to pitch. Make sure your nut slots are suited for your string gauge and wax them with dental floss.

When using a V trem, as opposed to a floyd, soooo many other things have to be set up correctly for it not to go out of tune and it takes a lot more time to set it up properly.

Tuner string winding - only tune up and use a maximum of two winds that do not cross over, if you detune, detune a long way, then tune up. This is the same with all Hardtails and TOM bridge guitars.
String trees - Lub with oil
Trem saddles - lub with oil and make sure they work smoothly and aren't binding
Trem claws - You are probably best off screwing in the claw at an angle with more tension on the high E string
Trem Springs - I prefer using five and a rigid setup and only dive the trem 2 steps but you can float it with 3 springs
Trem screws - I set these up per Fender but you can float a V trem with three springs (Aka Carl Verheyen) and raise your screws, leaving the high and Low E screws lower. Then the sping claw angle becomes more critical also as you have to balance the string tension precisely:.....

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=46809&start=15

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy-F7iSIopA

I've got Fender and Callaham nickel vintage trems that stay in tune fine. There is not a brass vintage trem Charvel on the planet that stays in tune if you use them at all. They are worthless for bar work... I've Floyd'd all mine now. The Fender and Callaham nickel vintage trems I have work fine and so I've kept them in the guitars that had them...

Steve

[METALLICO]

Thank you all! I'm going to a pro luthier near where I live (he asks me 75 euros for a set up, really overpriced don't you think?)

[straycat]

Not if he does a good job its not.
I am 25% cheaper price wise from the shops around here and do a better job I have been told.
All my work is by word of mouth too so I stay pretty busy with repairs and set ups.
Learn to do it yourself by reading and watching tips on YT.
Having two pros teach me helped too.

[METALLICO]

You're right straycat, I should do the set up myself learning on the internet, but at the moment I'm not going to risk with my Star.
Another question: replacing my stock tuners (in this Star or in every guitars without a FR) with locking tuners will improve so much the tuning stability?

[straycat]

If the strings pass thru a nut no not really.Locking tuners lock the string on the tuning peg.They make string changes quick I will say that.
The string passes thru the nut and if the string is binding in the nut if you bend a note its still going to catch locking tuners or not.
Tuners are usually pretty stable and rarly cause problems
I have some guitars that are 20+ years old and the tuners are fine.
How you wrap the strings on the tuner has a lot to do with how stable the tuning is when you have a V trem.

[j2379]

+1 i have vintage kluson types with a brass trem on a schecter its pretty damn stable. i go one wrap over then under wrapping downward at least 2 wraps under.