strings/tremolo issues in my strat...

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The Clansman

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I'm having these "tweaks" every time i use the whammy bar. plus my 5th string is ringing. i used an allan key to try fix the tremolo but it didn't change. ill post a pic of my strar so you could see what kind of tremolo i have. this is an american 60th anniverssary strat.

these tweaks started all of a sudden. i dont know why. the string are new, changed them a few days ago...
the tremolo 'teeth' are all sitting pretty straight, not one on another.
what could be the problem?
 
Stratocaster07.jpg
 
Try some graphite in the nut slots, and also some sponge between the springs to stop any unwanted resonance.
 
The Clansman said:
my english is kind of weak.. can you explain yourself more simple please?
Click to expand...

When you exercise the tremelo bar, the strings slide back and forth through the slots in the nut. You have to make this as frictionless as you possibly can or the guitar will go out of tune. The "tweaking" you are hearing is probably the windings on the wound strings hanging up in the nut. Your problem most likely has nothing to do with the tremelo itself or the bridge.

I use a mixture of Teflon grease and powdered graphite, a little dab from the point of a toothpick in each nut slot.

Did you change to a heavier gauge set of strings? If so, you may need to have the slots in your nut widened.
 
actually the tweaks are coming from the back of the neck
or at least thats where i can hear them loudest
 
The Clansman said:
actually the tweaks are coming from the back of the neck
or at least thats where i can hear them loudest
Click to expand...

That doesn't mean anything. Sound travels better in solids than in air, so noises can seem to come from places other than where they are actually originating. I had a rattle in my Strat once that sounded like it was coming from under the pickups, but it turned out to be a loose strap button.
 
The Clansman said:
my english is kind of weak.. can you explain yourself more simple please?
Click to expand...

Yes.

Get some dark pencil lead (a 6B artists pencil works well) and grind it up. Put this in the slots in the nut. This will prevent friction, and should stop the 'pings' you are hearing.

You say your 5th string is 'ringing.' This sounds like the springs in your tremelo are vibrating in sympathy with the notes you are playing. By cutting up some bathroom sponge and placing it between the springs in the cavity on the back of your guitar, you should be able to stop this resonance.
 
32-20-Blues said:
Yes.

Get some dark pencil lead (a 6B artists pencil works well) and grind it up. Put this in the slots in the nut. This will prevent friction, and should stop the 'pings' you are hearing.

You say your 5th string is 'ringing.' This sounds like the springs in your tremelo are vibrating in sympathy with the notes you are playing. By cutting up some bathroom sponge and placing it between the springs in the cavity on the back of your guitar, you should be able to stop this resonance.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you have him on the right track 32-20-seems like a slipping string at the nut alright. Interesting solution to the trem spring problem, I never would have thought of a sponge to silence them..:)
 
Anfontan said:
Sounds like you have him on the right track 32-20-seems like a slipping string at the nut alright. Interesting solution to the trem spring problem, I never would have thought of a sponge to silence them..:)
Click to expand...
A badly cut, tight slot at the nut can also cause sympathetic "ringing". Does this happen on just the open string or fretted notes as well? If it you get the "ringing on just the open string it's more than likely the nut. If on other strings you need to look elsewhere. Liked the guys said, check you nut first, a badly set nut can play havoc with the setup of vibrato bars and blocks. Gunn also asked a very pertinent question re your string gauge. Have you changed?
 
32-20-Blues said:
Yes.

Get some dark pencil lead (a 6B artists pencil works well) and grind it up. Put this in the slots in the nut. This will prevent friction, and should stop the 'pings' you are hearing.

You say your 5th string is 'ringing.' This sounds like the springs in your tremelo are vibrating in sympathy with the notes you are playing. By cutting up some bathroom sponge and placing it between the springs in the cavity on the back of your guitar, you should be able to stop this resonance.
Click to expand...

cork and baby powder works good too.
the new strings are still stretching they just need time to settle in.
 
From the pic it looks like you are using a wound third string(G).If that is the
case, and the guitar was not originally set up for that gauge string, then you
will need to compensate at the nut, but dont forget to check the obvious.
The sound you are describing could be the tremelo springs.
 
muttley600 said:
A badly cut, tight slot at the nut can also cause sympathetic "ringing". Does this happen on just the open string or fretted notes as well? If it you get the "ringing on just the open string it's more than likely the nut. If on other strings you need to look elsewhere. Liked the guys said, check you nut first, a badly set nut can play havoc with the setup of vibrato bars and blocks. Gunn also asked a very pertinent question re your string gauge. Have you changed?
Click to expand...

didnt change the gauge. yeah the ringing is just when i play open string..
 
SHEPPARDB. said:
From the pic it looks like you are using a wound third string(G).If that is the
case, and the guitar was not originally set up for that gauge string, then you
will need to compensate at the nut, but dont forget to check the obvious.
The sound you are describing could be the tremelo springs.
Click to expand...

no, thats a nickel string.

im not sure what is the problem, all i can say is when i press the tremolo there's cracking sounds all over the guitar. the sound of thousand springs stretching, something like that.
i looked at the back of the guitar's tremolo, it doesnt seem the be the 3 springs from the back. but its gotta be because its the only springs there is on a guitar
 
The Clansman said:
didnt change the gauge. yeah the ringing is just when i play open string..
Click to expand...
Then it's almost certainly the nut. As the guys said soft pencil lead in the slot will help. If not get it to a tech who can tweak the slots. It's not a big job. Same would go for the creaking you are hearing. You can't set a vibrato until the nut is right.
 
muttley600 said:
Then it's almost certainly the nut. As the guys said soft pencil lead in the slot will help. If not get it to a tech who can tweak the slots. It's not a big job. Same would go for the creaking you are hearing. You can't set a vibrato until the nut is right.
Click to expand...

can you point out this 'nut'? im not sure what part you mean
 
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