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GK-13 Reference Knowledge => GK Piezo Hex (RMC,Ghost,etc) => Topic started by: Jeremy Hall on September 17, 2011, 07:26:28 AM

Title: Godin XTSA - Whammy Bar tightening
Post by: Jeremy Hall on September 17, 2011, 07:26:28 AM
The whammy bar on my Godin XTSA seems to be a simple screw fit so there is no control over where it tightens. This happens to be with the bar pointing upwards which is of little use.  >:(

With the bar in the correct position for me i.e. pointing just below horizontal it is loose so swings down when not in use.

Also, in use this "loose fit" causes mechanical noise when the bar moves about in the screw hole which is picked up by the piezo pickups and causes quite a bit of unwanted "clunking" in the sound output (and ghost notes when using synth sounds).

I cannot see any "built-in" way of tightening the bar at any position and all I can think of is using something like plumbers tape around the screw thread to make it less loose.  I was just wondering whether anyone else has this guitar and has an alternative solution?

Thanks in advance
J
Title: Re: Godin XTSA - Whammy Bar tightening
Post by: Sedgewick on September 17, 2011, 04:06:56 PM
On my XTSA I keep a 1.5mm allen wrench handy to tighten the bar when ( and where ) I need it.  It's not a good design.  I prefer a Bigsby.  The handles on the Bigsby stay wherever you put them.
Title: Re: Godin XTSA - Whammy Bar tightening
Post by: Jeremy Hall on September 18, 2011, 03:29:05 AM
Hi Sedgewick,

Thanks for the response. Are you saying that there's an allen key adjustment somewhere to tighten the bar?

If so where is it? I have looked in the tremelo arm hole and also under the back panel which covers the tremelo mechanism but cannot see anything.

Cheers
J
Title: Re: Godin XTSA - Whammy Bar tightening
Post by: Sedgewick on September 18, 2011, 11:33:15 AM
jez:

I am attaching a photo showing the extra long set screw in my Godin bridge.  The original set screw disappeared, so I bought one that was a bit longer than needed ( but the extra length doesn't cause any issues ).  The screw hole is on top of the bridge, pointing straight down ( when you're playing the guitar ).

If your bridge had a hole, but is missing the screw you can get the details from an earlier thread of mine.  Using tape will work temporarily, but it's a pain.

Sedgewick
Title: Re: Godin XTSA - Whammy Bar tightening
Post by: Jeremy Hall on September 18, 2011, 02:02:38 PM
Strange my bridge appears to be different (see attached).  No sign of the screw that appears in your photo.  ???

I have emailed Godin to see what they have to say.

Thanks again
J
Title: Re: Godin XTSA - Whammy Bar tightening
Post by: Sedgewick on September 18, 2011, 05:22:36 PM
J:

If your bar is threaded like a Fender's, you may be able to add some friction by putting a small spring in the hole ( assuming there is a bottom to the hole ).  Otherwise, you could try wrapping the threads on the bar with teflon tape ( same type used by pipefitters on brass fittings ). 

Sedgewick
Title: Re: Godin XTSA - Whammy Bar tightening
Post by: Jeremy Hall on September 18, 2011, 05:30:05 PM
Thanks Sedgewick, I had already thought about using the plumbers tape but wasn't sure that would be enough on its own. I quite like the idea of using a spring to provide friction as well. Perhaps a combination of both would do the trick. The bar is threaded and there is a bottom to the hole so it's worth a try.  I just need to find a suitable spring...

Thanks again
J
Title: Re: Godin XTSA - Whammy Bar tightening
Post by: tekrytor on September 20, 2011, 05:39:53 PM
Thanks, I like the spring tip. Had not heard of that one before.

I too twang, and have a few ways of fixing my twang bars where I want them.

If threaded, I sometimes use an aircraft nut, with the teflon inside the head, works on some.

On my old Mosrite, I'm afraid of hurting it, so I use the tiny rubber bands that some use on pigtails, etc. I keep a few extra cueued up, in case one breaks, I just slide the next one up. No mods, cheap, works good.

On my xtSA, there is also a set screw.

Ahoy Mateys!
Title: Re: Godin XTSA - Whammy Bar tightening
Post by: Jeremy Hall on September 21, 2011, 02:50:14 AM
Cheers for the tips Tekrytor.

I also just got a reply back from Godin (see below). I tried it and sure enough I can tighten it at the correct point now  ;D
That said I suspect it will become loose again at this position in which case one of the other tips will be required.

"Once the bar gets tight, you can push it a bit more to get it at the right spot, and it will probably prevent from moving in the base and making noise that's picked up by the transducers.

Regards,

Michel Belanger
Godin Guitars"