Ac'c'ent' vibrato and strings

axel · Post by **axel** » Fri Aug 17, 2001 7:32 am

(I never know where to put the ' )
I'm changing the R on a 320 for a friend to put an accent' vibrato - how does one string this?
It seems very obvious (even to me) but whenever I put strings on, it looks like they could pop out of the grooves any instant!.

I did it this way - put the whole accent unit together, then slide the strings from the sides of it, tune, tune etc.
The low E and A are difficult to slide in and don't really fit in the grooves - is it normal?
Should I sort of 'pre-bend' them first?

Strings are (my) usual D'Addario XL .12-.52 - too big for an Accent' ? (too big for a vibrato in general? - never had one)
thanks
a

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Sat Aug 18, 2001 8:23 am

Just curl the ends of the strings and slide them sideways into the 'slot'.

This was not the best tailpiece in the world ...but it is historically correct.

They do have a problem of popping out ,but once you get tension on them they should stay .

rkbsound · Post by **rkbsound** » Sat Aug 18, 2001 8:35 am

I also have an accent. When stringing my 335 I push each end of the string down (as it pulls itself up) a bit as I increase the tension. Of course, as I am increasing the tension and watching the string, the "tension" seems to mount! They look precarious, but I've never had one pop on me yet.

miked · Post by **miked** » Sat Aug 18, 2001 10:38 am

Hello Axel; Stay with at least 12's on a short scale guitar for intoning reasons. Some folks are even using 13's, although I don't like them and use Rick factory 12's. Best regards.

axel · Post by **axel** » Sat Aug 18, 2001 10:56 am

Thanks lads
I played it for about 4 hours now - no strings did pop out.. It looks a bit precarious indeed.

Keeping it properly tuned is another matter - and I'm not using the ac'cent..

thanks again
a

chucksimms · Post by **chucksimms** » Sat Aug 18, 2001 11:42 am

I have a 335 with an Accent, and I just changed strings yesterday. I do three at a time, working my way out (d-a-e, then g-b-e). I use lites (Dean Markley) because I found that pressure from a heavier gauge depressed the vibrato arm so much it wouldn't clear the volume and tone knobs. Stays in tune great. I should add I had a 325 and it would NEVER stay in tune!

axel · Post by **axel** » Sun Aug 19, 2001 9:30 am

I laid some tracks today with the little 325. 'Tried to' would be more accurate: half-way through takes and it's grossly out of tune. Seems to be a real issue with this one!
Are they all alike when ac'cent equipped ?
Strings are new indeed but after being played 5/6 hours they should be set right'n proper. Is there some hidden trick that I'm not aware of ?

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Tue Aug 21, 2001 4:12 am

I have no love of the 'Accent Vibrato ' tailpiece .It is historically correct .Thats about all I have to say about it .

Just because it was their on some one elses guitar does not mean that they too did not have the same problems .Why was the famous guys first guitar his favorite? Maybe the 'Bigsby' stayed put better .

Me....I'd put a vintage style tailpiece on it and make it work .But that is me .

Sorry ...I don't know of any trick to make the 'Accent' work .

axel · Post by **axel** » Tue Aug 21, 2001 4:25 am

thanks Mark,
No way I'll ever use that one again...