D-Tuna question.........

[VanBlu]

So, I was sucked in and got an EVH Charvel Art Series yesterday. All I went in to buy was the new flanger and I saw it on the wall and bought it.

Anyway, when I have the strings in tune, and then I pull the D-Tuna out it's not in tune for "D". I have to adjust it about a quarter turn on the adjuster. If I tune it to "D" and then push it in, I also have to adjust about the same to get it into "E". Is there something to do about this? My Wolfgang has never really done this that I can recall. The strings are pretty stretched and they stay in tune. I played it some last night and for about two hours today and they were all still in tune (lots of Judgement Day wuguh wuguh type stuff too just to see if it would go out of tune but it didn't).

I suppose if it has to do with "intonation" or something else, then I'm gonna be lost. This is my fourth guitar and I've never had to mess with anything on any of them so I guess I'm lucky that way (and perhaps ignorant, but oh well).

Thanks in advance for any insights!

[fast98dodge]

When you initially tune the guitar, tune it when the D-Tuna is in the D position... Lock the nut on the neck, recheck the tuning. Once it is in tune, then push it in and check your tuning in E. That's what the little adjustment screw is for. The other tip is that you should have the fine tuner on the tremelo out quite a bit to give the D-Tuna room to go in and out...

Hope that helps and happy shredding!!!

[cdvh5150]

make sure the bridge is totally flush with the body level if there is any arch in the bridge if it up to high on down it will cause problems with the D tuna....

[Wolfgang_'99]

So, I was sucked in and got an EVH Charvel Art Series yesterday.

Thats for sure!!

JK I have never tryed one, how does it stand up compared to a Wolfy

[AT]

Those guys basically said it... Make sure the trem is perfectly flat against the body, tune the guitar completely with the sixth string in the 'D' position, lock the nuts, tune the guitar completely again with the sixth string still in the 'D' position, then engage the D-Tuna to 'E' and adjust the screw to fine tune the 'E' (right to go sharp, left to go flat).

[VanBlu]

Those guys basically said it... Make sure the trem is perfectly flat against the body, tune the guitar completely with the sixth string in the 'D' position, lock the nuts, tune the guitar completely again with the sixth string still in the 'D' position, then engage the D-Tuna to 'E' and adjust the screw to fine tune the 'E' (right to go sharp, left to go flat).

I pretty much did all that stuff. Basically, when I play with it up in "E", it's in tune. When I flip the tuner out and it's supposed to drop to "D", it doesn't. It's a tad sharp and I have to manually use the screw to adjust it to a "D" and then when I push it back in back to "E", it's sharp and I have to manually go back down to "E". My wolfgang doesn't do this; it goes from "E" to "D" and back to "E" with absolutely no fine tuning.

I think the tremolo is just a tad off of being perfectly parallel with the body; it may dip just a tad down. If the strings are stretched properly, how can I adjust that?

Thanks for all the input!!!!

[AT]

I pretty much did all that stuff. Basically, when I play with it up in "E", it's in tune. When I flip the tuner out and it's supposed to drop to "D", it doesn't. It's a tad sharp and I have to manually use the screw to adjust it to a "D" and then when I push it back in back to "E", it's sharp and I have to manually go back down to "E". My wolfgang doesn't do this; it goes from "E" to "D" and back to "E" with absolutely no fine tuning.

I think the tremolo is just a tad off of being perfectly parallel with the body; it may dip just a tad down. If the strings are stretched properly, how can I adjust that?

Thanks for all the input!!!!

VanBlu:

If I'm understanding you correctly, it seems you're doing the adjustment backwards. Pull the D-Tuna OUT to 'D.' Tune it perfectly to the low 'D' (on either the tuning machine or fine tuner if the nut is locked down), then push it IN to the 'E' position. Check your tuning on the 'E.' If need be, use the mini hex wrench to turn the adjustment screw until the 'E' is perfectly in tune (left to tune flat, right to tune sharp); you should only be turning the adjustment screw in the 'E' position. Repeat that process once or twice more. Even if the bridge is moving slightly you should be able to make the 'E' and 'D' tune properly if you're doing the procedure correctly.

[Mikey Metalhead]

I am just guessing here, but based on his comments. I think he is fine tuning with the finger screw... I believe there is a hex screw you need to adjust with an allen wrench???

just guessing as I dont own one

anyone know if you can pop one of these on an orginal Ibanez edge?

[VanBlu]

I am just guessing here, but based on his comments. I think he is fine tuning with the finger screw... I believe there is a hex screw you need to adjust with an allen wrench???

just guessing as I dont own one

anyone know if you can pop one of these on an orginal Ibanez edge?

Yeah, I am using the finger screw part.

This is the part that made me say "huh?":

If need be, use the mini hex wrench to turn the adjustment screw until the 'E' is perfectly in tune

what mini hex wrench? I have the allen wrench to lock down the nut by the head and then to loosen and tighten the tremolo part of the lockdown.

I did tune it in D, so it was fine and I played and it was good. However, when I push in the tuna to go back to E, it's not E; it's off. I then need to fine tune with the finger screw so it's an E. When I do that, it then plays fine. Then, when I pull it out to play drop D the next time, it's now not a D, it's off.

It's kind of like, the Tuna makes it go up and down two frets worth, correct? However, it seems that it is only is going up and down about 1 and 3/4 frets worth, as I need to fine tune once I swith it. No matter how many times I tune it to one or the other, it won't go all the way up or down to the proper note.

I play along with mix cd's I make, so here's the scenerio:
I play along with Never Again (Nickleback, drop D) and it's all fine. The next song is Breakin' The Law (Priest, standard tuning) so I flip the Tuna in and now I should be good but I'm not, I have to pause the cd, and fine tune the E string so it's an "E" and then push play and play along. Then, when I hit Everybody's Fool (Evanescence) and pull out the tuna, I once again have to pause and fine adjust it.

I don't have to do this with my Wolfgang, ever. I can go from E to D to E to D all day and it's perfect with no fine tuning on the fly.

My fear is maybe the Tuna is defective and it's not quite the right shape or something. I know they're suppose to be made to perfectly go up or down two notes, but is it possible that it's just a tad off? I dunno.

[Mikey Metalhead]

looking at instructions I found online I believe there is an allen wrench that came with it. it is used to do fine adjustments to a "set scerw"... not the finger screw.

also, is it a floating bridge? because I dont think you will ever get perfect tuning if the bridge floats.

[VanBlu]

looking at instructions I found online I believe there is an allen wrench that came with it. it is used to do fine adjustments to a "set scerw"... not the finger screw.

also, is it a floating bridge? because I dont think you will ever get perfect tuning if the bridge floats.

Yeah, it's a floating, but so is the Wolfgang and it doesn't do this.

There are three allen wrenches that came with. One is a tiny one that adjusts a set screw on the side of the D-Tuna, but it's only high tight it is; how easy it is to slide in and out. (At least, it was super tight when I got it and I loosened it a tad and now it slides out easier)

There's the biggest wrench that fits both ends of the lock down system. I dunno what the second biggest one does yet, I haven't tried it anywhere.

[A&Z Guitar Repair]

Yeah, it's a floating, but so is the Wolfgang and it doesn't do this.

There are three allen wrenches that came with. One is a tiny one that adjusts a set screw on the side of the D-Tuna, but it's only high tight it is; how easy it is to slide in and out. (At least, it was super tight when I got it and I loosened it a tad and now it slides out easier)

There's the biggest wrench that fits both ends of the lock down system. I dunno what the second biggest one does yet, I haven't tried it anywhere.

VB, the Wolfgang and the Charvel should not be floating trems. They should rest on the body. As Andrew stated, tune the guitar with D-tuna out to D. The fine tuner, the screw on top of the bridge, should be in 1 complete turn from zero position. Zero is backed out as far as it will go. Loosen the "itty, bitty" screw almost all the way out. The "itty bitty" screw is found on the side of the D-Tuna. Slide D-tuna in to E. Is it in tune? If not, slowly tighten the "itty, bitty" screw while checking the tuning. You should start to see the E note come into tune. Don't overtighten the "itty, bitty" screw. Once E is in tune, pull D-tuna out and check if D is in tune. If not adjust the fine tuner screw on top. Repeat if necessary. Also, make sure the unit is pulled completely out. I had one that would hang sometimes. I've found if you put a little graphite/pencil lead or Big Bends Nut Sauce on the long screw of the D-Tuna it helps in mobility of the unit. I almost said the shaft of the D-Tuna, but some of you might start to giggle.

All kidding aside, if the D-Tuna is not functioning correctly start removing other items from the equation. Make sure trem is touching body. There should be no upward movement. Tighten the trem screws if needed. Make sure strings have been stretched completely before D-tuna work. Make sure locking nuts aren't torqued too tight. Remove all of those issues and then start to look at the D-Tuna.

I know it sounds like we're throwing all this info/jokes at you, but hang in there. You'll get it.

[VanBlu]

Ok, thanks for that! I guess I needed it dumbed down that way! I'll attack that tomorrow then and see what happens. It'd have been nice if there was some sort of a diagram or manual for that, but I just knew you guys on here would know.

As an aside, I always thought if it had the springs on the underside it was a floating; glad you set me straight on that too!

Thanks!

[AT]

Yeah, I am using the finger screw part.

This is the part that made me say "huh?":

If need be, use the mini hex wrench to turn the adjustment screw until the 'E' is perfectly in tune

what mini hex wrench? I have the allen wrench to lock down the nut by the head and then to loosen and tighten the tremolo part of the lockdown.

I did tune it in D, so it was fine and I played and it was good. However, when I push in the tuna to go back to E, it's not E; it's off. I then need to fine tune with the finger screw so it's an E. When I do that, it then plays fine. Then, when I pull it out to play drop D the next time, it's now not a D, it's off.

It's kind of like, the Tuna makes it go up and down two frets worth, correct? However, it seems that it is only is going up and down about 1 and 3/4 frets worth, as I need to fine tune once I swith it. No matter how many times I tune it to one or the other, it won't go all the way up or down to the proper note.

I play along with mix cd's I make, so here's the scenerio:
I play along with Never Again (Nickleback, drop D) and it's all fine. The next song is Breakin' The Law (Priest, standard tuning) so I flip the Tuna in and now I should be good but I'm not, I have to pause the cd, and fine tune the E string so it's an "E" and then push play and play along. Then, when I hit Everybody's Fool (Evanescence) and pull out the tuna, I once again have to pause and fine adjust it.

I don't have to do this with my Wolfgang, ever. I can go from E to D to E to D all day and it's perfect with no fine tuning on the fly.

My fear is maybe the Tuna is defective and it's not quite the right shape or something. I know they're suppose to be made to perfectly go up or down two notes, but is it possible that it's just a tad off? I dunno.

Okay, we've gotten to the heart of the problem. Your D-Tuna is not defective; you just haven't been adjusting it correctly. The part that confused you is the important point you're missing: If need be, use the mini hex wrench to turn the adjustment screw until the 'E' is perfectly in tune . YES, you need to have a mini hex wrench to adjusted the D-Tuna. Read on...

First of all, the D-Tuna fine adjustments for 'D' and 'E' have nothing to do with the finger tuner on the Floyd Rose. If you're holding your guitar normal, look down at the D-Tuna and look for the little adjustment screw hole on the side. In that little hole is a screw that will shift the D-Tuna slightly and fine tune the 'E.' You'll need the mini hex wrench to do the adjustment (one should have come with the guitar, and if not it should have come with the Wolfgang). If you don't have one it's an easy thing to find at a hardware store. Once you've gotten one, go back and follow my instructions again (pasted below). But remember, when I'm referring to the adjustment screw I'm talking about the little hole I had you find on the side of the D-Tuna, NOT the fine tuner on the Floyd Rose.

Directions from before:
Pull the D-Tuna OUT to 'D.' Tune it perfectly to the low 'D' (on either the tuning machine or fine tuner if the nut is locked down), then push it IN to the 'E' position. Check your tuning on the 'E.' If need be, use the mini hex wrench to turn the adjustment screw until the 'E' is perfectly in tune (left to tune flat, right to tune sharp); you should only be turning the adjustment screw in the 'E' position. Repeat that process once or twice more. Even if the bridge is moving slightly you should be able to make the 'E' and 'D' tune properly if you're doing the procedure correctly.

[Mikey Metalhead]

I thought that was it, but not owning one, I wasnt 100% sure.

not to highjack...but would it not work on a floating bridge at all, or just the fact I would still have to fine tune it with the thumb screw?

I have played floating trems for 20+ years and not about to start blocking them now... but would this still get me to D faster... yes I realize the whole guitar goes a little flat, but I have dealt with that on drop d for 20 years... and its still close enough for rock and roll