Cheleon
Joined: Dec 13, 2023
Posts: 2
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Posted on Dec 13 2023 05:15 AM
Hi there, new here as I only just stumbled upon the forum in trying to sort this issue.
Had this a while just cleaned up and sorted a few bits on it. Having a bit of trouble with the floating trem system, it sits way too low, about 1cm from the strings.
I have cleaned and lubed the nut and put fresh 10s on, also screwed in the 2 Phillips screws on the back as far as I can without damaging.
Obviously there is only provision for 2 springs here so I am considering getting the gotoh heavy duty ones BUT I am concerned about putting too much strain on what is seemingly cheap cast pot metal.
I think 9s are recommended but it shouldn't make that much of a difference surely?
Help much appreciated
Last edited: Dec 13, 2023 05:16:06
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edwardsand
Joined: Jun 29, 2018
Posts: 757
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Posted on Dec 13 2023 08:38 AM
I've got an SGV300, and don't have this problem - I've got 10s on it (I believe). With the springs, if I recall, there are only two places on the claw to attach springs (as you note), but aren't there several places to attach them on the tremolo block? If so, I would have moved the springs to the outermost holes to increase tension.
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edwardsand
Joined: Jun 29, 2018
Posts: 757
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Posted on Dec 13 2023 08:40 AM
Has the arm always been that way? Did you buy the guitar used? A second possibility is that a previous owner bent the arm so that it sits lower, or perhaps cut down the part that mounts in the guitar (they would have had to re-thread it if they did that).
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FritzCat
Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Posts: 676
Sonoma, CA
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Posted on Dec 13 2023 08:58 AM
There is a way to add more springs, put a strip of metal with additional spring mounting holes between the existing springs and their mounting position:
on the right side of this image
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Sonichris
Joined: Mar 06, 2006
Posts: 1892
Wear gloves - I'm in the Rockies
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Posted on Dec 13 2023 12:32 PM
Here's what Fritz is talking about.
from this thread
https://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/18483/?page=1#p243479
— "You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"
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ldk
Joined: Nov 08, 2017
Posts: 367
San Francisco Bay Area
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Posted on Dec 13 2023 01:02 PM
Here's a manual for your guitar: https://usa.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/1/336101/SGV800_QC55690_EN.pdf
It does look like the tailpiece should be parallel to the body, so you need more tension. If it were me, I'd get heavier springs. You could also fashion a claw that is shorter, which would give you more adjustment for tension.
— If I'd stop buying old guitars to fix, I might actually learn to play.
Bringing instruments back to life since 2013.
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Cheleon
Joined: Dec 13, 2023
Posts: 2
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Posted on Dec 13 2023 01:22 PM
Thanks for the replies folks, most helpful! I'll get some more pics tomorrow.
The guitar was given to me by my dad, he said the trem arm has dropped over time so something definitely changed. Springs becoming more elastic perhaps? (being under tension for 20+ years!)
Looking at your pic Sonichris, the screws to the left are way more screwed in than mine, so I will slacken off the strings and try tightening once more with a bigger and more robust screwdriver. I just don't want to snap the heads off.
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edwardsand
Joined: Jun 29, 2018
Posts: 757
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Posted on Dec 13 2023 02:38 PM
Sounds like you may want to use some slightly heavier screws. It's possible the wood in the screw holes is a bit worn out, and thicker screws would compensate for that, as well as be less likely to have the heads snap off.
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ldk
Joined: Nov 08, 2017
Posts: 367
San Francisco Bay Area
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Posted on Dec 13 2023 04:22 PM
Looking at pictures of this tailpiece on Reverb.com, I highly doubt that you'll need bigger screws.
Also, from your picture, it looks like you don't need much additional tension to bring the tailpiece level to the body. I'd try stiffer springs before I did anything else.
If you don't mind sacrificing your springs, take a couple of coils out. Do this on the end that attached to the tailpiece. I've done this before with good success. The spring metal is stiff, but can be bent.
— If I'd stop buying old guitars to fix, I might actually learn to play.
Bringing instruments back to life since 2013.
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