V-trem tuning stability with a pointy headstock?

[fuel0707]

I'm starting to kick around the idea of maybe getting a Charvel later this year. As I've been looking over some of the new guitars that are out there and some of the used ones, I've been curious about how well a vintage-type trem works with the pointy headstock. It would seem that with how the strings don't pull straight through the nut to the tuners that tuning stability would be a problem. But I thought I'd get some opinions from people who've actually had experience in that area.

And before someone says it, I am leaning more towards a guitar with a Floyd. But for an interesting guitar with a v-trem, I might be tempted if tuning wouldn't be an ongoing headache. For what it matters, I'm not a heavy trem user but I do use it a bit.

[Predator1]

I have had both Pointy's and Stratheads with the Vintage trems. Save your self the headache and get a floyded guitar. When I drop the Floyd and have it rest on the body ala EVH Series, I notice very little change of tone. I however prefer the action of having the floyd float.

[shreddermon]

The tuning stability of those V trems just sucks. If you want a V trem for the sake of tone, I can understand that. But all day long, they just suck for tuning. And, IMHO, the tone vs. stability trade-off just isn't worth it.

Folks are bound to come in here and recommend various voodoo set-up methods that will make it "just as stable as a Floyd". Take the middle 4 screws out, lube the nut, burn a candle and sacrifice a live chicken. Yadda, yadda. Don't buy it. Sure, those methods do help somewhat. No debate there. But it'll never be anywhere near as stable as a real Floyd.

And back to the nitty-gritty of your original question... IMHO, the pointy headstock is less of a factor than the bridge. So long as you have properly cut nut slots and - preferably - locking tuners, a pointyhead will still be a very stable design. For example, I have a string-through pointyhead Kelly. Non-trem, so that negates the trem factor. With a slick graphite nut, properly cut nut slots and Sperzel locking tuners, it has GREAT tuning stability. That says to me that the pointyhead design itself is much less of a contributing factor. It's more the other specs: nut type, slots, tuners and - perhaps most importantly - the type of bridge.

[Megadeth79]

As Shreddermom says I have a pointy charvel with the v-trem and the stability really sucks.

[Rich#6]

They try to compensate by cutting the nut at the angles of the tuners, but I don't think that helps much . I won't even try it, I don't even own a bar for mine. unless your Richie Blackmore or Yngwie who say their strats stay in tune get a floyd.

[Ralph E.]

Pointy's don't stay in tune, however I have to disagree about stratheads (unless you plan on actually using the trem). I have had many and as long as you crank down the trem (essentially making it a hardtail) the guitar will stay in tune fine.

[~K~]

Pointy's don't stay in tune, however I have to disagree about stratheads (unless you plan on actually using the trem). I have had many and as long as you crank down the trem (essentially making it a hardtail) the guitar will stay in tune fine.

+1

[straycat]

+1 a pointy V trem not the best choice if you are a heavy trem user.Strat heads are better.Rule of thumb if its a pointy get it floyd equipped.

[randyrhoadsguitar]

i've always wondered why floyds stay in tune well. is it because they float and have a locking nut? Because i like the look of vinatge trems way more than floyd. so i was thinking, why don't i just float my vinatge trem (make the pressure of the strings higher than the spring causing it to lean forward), and then gat a neck with a locking nut. would this work?

[Rupe]

I have been able to keep a pointy v-trem in tune only under extremely mild trem use...think Bigsby style delicate vibrato. Anything the least bit dramatic and they simply don't stay in tune no matter what you do. I can get a Strathead to stay in tune fairly well, but they will still go out under heavy use. A locking trem is really the only way to go for heavy trem use. Although Floyds are typically tone killers, pickups and amp eq can help offset this to some degree.

[vondran]

If you're used to a Floyd then you wouldn't stand for a v-trem, unless you install 5 springs and tighten it down to make it a hardtail. I learned on a v-trem pointy, and know all the tricks to keep it in tune with mild use (e.g. always fret the B and high E strings when using the trem, even if not playng those strings to keep them in tune, etc.). But that was after many years fighting to make it work.

[vondran]

I'll add that I have a v-trem on a strathead too and wammy away with no tuning problems. So v-trems can work.

[surfreak]

i've always wondered why floyds stay in tune well.

You're joking, aren't you?

[Shawn]

I have V-trems with stratheads that are just great. I use that Big Bends nut sauce and it works miracles.

I have never owned a Vtrem/pointy that worked no matter what I did. I own only one, and its a hardtail essentially now.

[randyrhoadsguitar]

You're joking, aren't you?

it was just a transition into my theory. can't you just float your v trem and add a locking nut? isn't that the same thing (without fine tuners)?