So... Tuning issues...

Regarding the harmonics, could be wolf tones coming from the strings behind the bridge.
I found these rubber grommets stopped it.

 

Nut issues gave me the same tuning issues. Fixed mine with a Zero Fret and a roller bridge. Tuning is very stable even when working the Bigsby. Never had the harmonic issue though.

 

All I can say is it fixed my 5420... and I like tone sound difference too

 

Sympathetic resonances have nothing to do with tuning issues. Yes lube the nut, install some rubber grommets and enjoy your guitar.

 

JJ,

We had a similar discussion a week ago, and as the G5420T has a wood base bridge, changing the bridge from the static Tune-O-Matic bridge to a dynamic bridge such as a Gretsch Space Control bridge, is quick and easy, and will solve your problem.

Your static bridge is causing drag and de-tuning whenever the Bigsby is activated.

Contact Angela Instruments (Gretsch parts), always in stock.

Best, good luck, and don't despair, this issue can be fixed. the G5420T, is a great model!

BIB.

 

I think you have been told a lot of BS. There is no reason at all the Gretsch can’t maintain solid tuning even with use of the Bigsby. The Wolf tones however happen. I keep leather behind most of my bridges guitar and mandolin. It just a sympathetic resonance between the guitar and the strings. Now there are resonances that can be caused by other things. Just based on what you have been told I would return that guitar for a full refund and find a more credible store that can set it up right or keep it and find a luthier with the needed skills to sort it out.

One other point, depending on your location kit is winter where O am just taking my guitar out of the case and leaving it for a day can cause tuning issues because of the humidity and temp changes. That all settles down once the instrument is equilibrated tot eh environment and doesn’t happen after just ten minutes. I do not want mine to equilibrate because it is severely dry. So I keep it in a humidified case at room temp and take it out to play then play as long as I want and put it back in the case when done.

 

Along the same lines as switching to a Space Control bridge (which acts as a defacto roller bridge), you can probably switch to a tune-o-matic derived roller bridge, which allows you to keep the individual saddle adjustment option that makes tune-o-matics so popular.

Just be careful about your post spacing, Gretsches aren't Gibsons - they're not the same size.

I've never owned a tremolo outfitted guitar that hasn't benefited from adding a roller bridge, and I currently own six, with Bigsbys, Les Trems and most recently a Maestro Vibrola.

 

Wolf tones must be dampened somehow. Grommets, piece of leather, etc. It is what it is and that's how it's fixed.

Stringing a Bigsby isn't rocket science. It's way easier than a Floyd. Get a Bigsfix. If that's too tough, get a hardtail.

Tuning issues are 95% due to the nut.

 

Piling on here: my 6120 goes out of tune just be sitting there, where the Tennessean, my strats and especially my bass stay (mostly) in tune from day to day. Is this really just a nut problem?

 

Don’t laugh...

Locking nut..

Boom fixed

 

I have 4 Gretsch prolines and a 5120, all with Bigsbys.
None of them go out of tune since I recut the nuts (ouch) and installed bar bridges.
I don't get wolf tones ( or don't notice them) so dampening the strings behind the Bigsby isnt something I worry about ...

 

Fixed my G5445T double jet. Had a zero fret fitted and the nut slots eased. With a zero fret the nutslots are no more than guides. Changed up to 11 strings. Also passed the strings over the tension bar on the bigsby. I've had no problem with the strings jumping the bridge slots and the beast stays in tune all day long.

 

One of the reasons I bought my original 5622 was because it stayed in tune better than the 5420 and 5422 it was up against at the time of buying and two other 5420's I'd tried prior to that. Since then, however, I've played another 5420 that stayed in tune really nicely and was the best of the 5420's I've played. Should have bought it really as it was on clearance at the time at £599. If you otherwise like the 5420 and are being offered a refund, you might want to try a few others, either in direct exchange or from another dealer, as there seems to be some sample variation in the model.

A better bridge, either the Compton or Tru-Arc bar bridges or an ABM Roller, should also help.

 

Sorry to hear you’re having tuning problems with your 5420..
I’ve had four 5420s over the last few years. got my latest one last week.
Never had tuning problems with any of them & I’m a hardcore Bigsby user!
Having a good set up will help, check the nut... might need some filing..
I’d recommend using nothing lower than 11s string wise.
Get a good lube such as Big Bends Nut sauce or similar. Lube the nut & bridge saddles every string change, stretch strings well & you should be good to go...
Best of luck..

 

I have a cheap set of needle files and used the round pointed one to knock the sharp edges off the bridge saddles.

Some people try to make this out to be much more complicated than it is. If the string doesn't catch on anything, and the tremolo is free to return to the same spot every time, and the wraps on the tuners don't move it will stay in tune.

I wish someone made a string damper that looked good and didn't stand out.
I might try just winding some thin wire between all the strings. Or maybe some thin black braided fishing line, yeah that might work!