Guitar restringing problem?

Question

so im restringing an electric guitar, and the first 3 high strings are fine, but when i start to tighten the lower, heavier strings, the bridge keeps coming out of the socket, so much that it loosens the other strings and untunes them.

if i tighten them more, the bridge popsout even more, until its scary to look at and it looks like it will break

i have an ibanez RG120, and its almost brand new, i got it a couple of months ago, and im careful with it

i know its not the neck, its all in the heavy strings pulling the bridge so much

thanks for everyones help

Answer 1

I would stop trying to replace the heavier strings and just take it to a music store to have it professionally restrung. If the person restringing it sees that he's having the same problem as you did, he might just fix it for free.

Answer 2

I think the RG120 has a tremolo system. Assuming that's right, I think that's the source of your problem.

Bridge tremolos have two anchor points, one either side of the bridge, so that it can hinge forward when you press the trem arm. At the back of the guitar (usually under a cover plate), there will be a set of springs running from the bottom of the trem block to a "claw" which is anchored into the guitar body.

Without seeing the problem you're having or being able to ask some questions, it's hard to diagnose what's going on, but I recommend checking the following things:

1) When you take strings off, you take the tension off the springs at the back and the bridge/trem can move quite freely, so it's possible that some or all of those springs have detached from the bridge. Open up the back and have a look, and if necessary reattach the springs (there will be a loop at one end of each spring which hooks over the fingers of the claw, and a right angle bend at the other which slots into the holes on the base of the trem block).

2) Check that the 2 anchor points are secure and that the bridge is sitting on them properly. How that is will depend on the exact type of trem, but it should be pretty clear if it's not properly seated.

Remember, a trem is a big balancing act, so if anything slips out of alignment (and it can and will until full string tension holds everything in place), it can s***w up. It can be useful to put on the high and low E strings first so that you have even pull on both sides of the bridge before you add the rest of the strings.

Answer 3

First of all. When you restring a guitar you should do it one string at a time. Guitars are built to withhold a certain amount of tension and by taking all of the strings off at once, that tension is disrupted. In rare occassions the neck has been none to crack because of it.

So my advice to you now is to put all 6 strings on (barely tightening each one until all 6 are on) and then tune all of them from your low E down to your high E.

Answer 4

did you cut the strings coz my guitar teacher said that you shouldn't cut them just to make them exactly the right size for your guitar. maybe your strings are too short. well, if that's the problem, try buying new strings or let the people, whom you bought the guitar from, fix it. hope that i could help!