Randy's trem staying in tune

[Paul Wolfe]

I know we've discussed the standard Strat trem that Randy used on his guitars vs the Floyd at length here. While researching a completely different topic, I came across some interesting videos for keeping a standard Strat trem in tune.

Wasn't Randy quoted in an interview saying his tech had set up his guitars in a way that the trem held it's tuning pretty stable? I know the "spotted V" had tuning issues after the neck break, so I assume he was talking about the Jackson.

Anyway,this video is for getting a stock Strat to stay in tune 'perfectly' while using the bar. It's really quite cool.

This is for setting up a two pin Strat bridge to float.

[dannyahansen]

Yeah, the biggest problem is that it is not always easy to depress your bar to get it back in tune in the middle of a song. Which is the problem.

[Shockwave]

A well setup fender trem will stay in tune as long as everything is setup correctly. You obviously cant be dive bombing and raising the bar or will go out of tune really quick no matter what. But if you have a nice controlled motion and everything is smooth there should be no problems. I had a G&L strat with there own version of the standard trem system and it was rock solid. I could dive bomb on that thing all day and it would not go out of tune, no locking nut or anything. Very good stuff by G&L i must say.

[sytharnia]

I don't know man I dive bomb with my strats all the time and they stay in tune pretty damn well most of the time. The key is to prevent the strings from sticking at the nut and bridge and making sure the strings are wound properly so they don't slip. Also the string trees shouldn't be putting to big of an angle on the strings and they need to be firmly screwed down so they don't "float"

One trick I have found works ok if you are diving and going out is when you release the bar slightly pull back on the neck with your fret hand (so the pitch rises)...seems to put it back pretty close

[skezza]

i think part of the problem is people expect too much. They think, Tremolo -> Eddie Van Halen style dive bombs. If you use a Fender trem in a nice subtle way, not like a Floyd, then you can do quite a lot without it going out of tune. It all depends on how you intend on using it.

[Paul Wolfe]

i think part of the problem is people expect too much. They think, Tremolo -> Eddie Van Halen style dive bombs. If you use a Fender trem in a nice subtle way, not like a Floyd, then you can do quite a lot without it going out of tune. It all depends on how you intend on using it.

You're ALIVE!! Good to see you, Joe. Oh, and I agree with you on the trem thing.

[Stiltzkin]

i think part of the problem is people expect too much. They think, Tremolo -> Eddie Van Halen style dive bombs. If you use a Fender trem in a nice subtle way, not like a Floyd, then you can do quite a lot without it going out of tune. It all depends on how you intend on using it.

Yngwie is pretty heavy handed with his whammy and it stays in tune fine