What would cause an OFR to go WAAAY out of tune?

[Jack71]

I'm having a problem with one of my guitars. It's got an original Floyd, non-recessed. It stays in tune all day when I'm just playing. But if I actually try to use the trem at all, the strings all go way out of tune. I'm talking almost a whole note on some strings.

It looks like its installed straight (the strings are centered up the neck) and its flush against the body (dive only setup). I'm not sure how old the strings are, but could old strings be responsible for this? If it were the strings, wouldn't they go out of tune from regular playing and not just diving?

[jackson1]

A trem not returning to zero is very common. Worn knife edges could be the problem. Or worn stud screws. Have you checked the tremolo block to see if it's mounted correctly?

If you have it hard against the body, I'd start looking at slippage at the nut.

[Monster]

I'm having a problem with one of my guitars. It's got an original Floyd, non-recessed. It stays in tune all day when I'm just playing. But if I actually try to use the trem at all, the strings all go way out of tune. I'm talking almost a whole note on some strings.

It looks like its installed straight (the strings are centered up the neck) and its flush against the body (dive only setup). I'm not sure how old the strings are, but could old strings be responsible for this? If it were the strings, wouldn't they go out of tune from regular playing and not just diving?

also is it double locking or not. does the neck have the locking nuts , sounds funny but i have seen some guitars with floyds with out locking nut on the guitar ,if not thats the reason.. also if they are new strings they need to be stretched real good...

[AdRock]

If it's not double locking does it have locking tuners such as Sperzels?

[Wayniac]

Is the block hanging up (I have seen that once - if it is a 42mm and it is on a guitar that was routed for a smaller block, the springs can hang up on the body or the cover)

[Sunbane]

I would check so the locking nut locks properly to begin with.
If you press down on the strings behind the lock nut, does the pitch change? If it does, there's your problem right there.

[soc_monki]

also check the screws that hold down the saddles for intonation. i had a similar problem on my DX10 where i would use the trem and it would go all out of whack because of a couple loose screws and the saddles would slip.

i know, mines recessed, but its still something to check! i now check those on my Floyds whenever i change strings to make sure that they wont slip and cause me problems!

[Thoraby]

Just go here.

http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech/setup/tuning_stability.htm

[Shwayman11]

A trem not returning to zero is very common. Worn knife edges could be the problem. Or worn stud screws. Have you checked the tremolo block to see if it's mounted correctly?

If you have it hard against the body, I'd start looking at slippage at the nut.

+1 on checking out the nut first