Drop D tuning issues on tremolo model

[mikeRI]

Hi. I have a PRS S2 Custom 22 semi hollow with tremolo. It is my main guitar for gigging. I play in a cover band that does classic rock, although we have a few heavier songs (Ozzy, Bon Jovi, etc) where I need the tremolo.

There’s also 3 songs that require Drop D tuning. When I tune down to Drop D, or back to standard, it throws all the strings out of tune. I have to run through all 6 strings at least 3 times before it settles in. I am assuming that this is due to the tremolo.

I may have to suck it up and start bringing an additional guitar to gigs tuned to Drop D, but thought I’d ask if anyone has other suggestions. Ty!

 

[24Semi]

Hi. I have a PRS S2 Custom 22 semi hollow with tremolo. It is my main guitar for gigging. I play in a cover band that does classic rock, although we have a few heavier songs (Ozzy, Bon Jovi, etc) where I need the tremolo.

There’s also 3 songs that require Drop D tuning. When I tune down to Drop D, or back to standard, it throws all the strings out of tune. I have to run through all 6 strings at least 3 times before it settles in. I am assuming that this is due to the tremolo.

I may have to suck it up and start bringing an additional guitar to gigs tuned to Drop D, but thought I’d ask if anyone has other suggestions. Ty!

If your trem is floating, yeah, you're going to have issues..I installed a small bracket in my CE-24 to retain the proper alignment, but it prevents pull ups. This allows me to quickly retune to drop D without problems.

 

[John F]

I blocked the trem with a piece of wood in 2 PRS guitars to prevent this problem with drop D. I can push the trem down but not pull up. I don’t use the trem most of the time anyway. Clapton wedges his strats similarly so I’ve read.

 

[ViperDoc]

594.

 

[Herr Squid]

That behavior is indeed totally normal with a floating tremolo. The suggestions so far are on target.

 

[show_a_little_faith]

Hi. I have a PRS S2 Custom 22 semi hollow with tremolo. It is my main guitar for gigging. I play in a cover band that does classic rock, although we have a few heavier songs (Ozzy, Bon Jovi, etc) where I need the tremolo.

There’s also 3 songs that require Drop D tuning. When I tune down to Drop D, or back to standard, it throws all the strings out of tune. I have to run through all 6 strings at least 3 times before it settles in. I am assuming that this is due to the tremolo.

I may have to suck it up and start bringing an additional guitar to gigs tuned to Drop D, but thought I’d ask if anyone has other suggestions. Ty!

You could look into installing a Tremol-No. Pretty easy to engage/disengage so you would be able to use the trem for the needed songs, lock it for when you need to drop D and unlock it again after you bring it back to E.

 

[dmatthews]

I always take 2 guitars. We just added 2 songs that need to be tuned Eb, so I leave one Eb all the time.

 

[rickcard71]

Tremolo-No

I had a DGT, I could drop D and go back without tuning like you have to, 3 times etc. Maybe it needs a good set-up.

 

[Tedder]

I have one guitar in standard E, and one in Eb for this very reason. We have several songs in Eb tunings to be nice with the vocalist.

But the above suggestions are good if you don't have a second guitar.

 

[Bogner]

Buy More Guitars.

Switching Tuning On Trem Guitars In A Problem Nobody Needs...Especially On Floating Trems.

 

[Russ73]

OP what I used to do is have my band play the drop D songs together so I only change the tuning once during my set...seems obvious but it make things easy...otherwise tremelno as mentioned...