GB8 Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Hello guys, Time for another novice question. For those of you not familiar with my alias I am a total novice. Have yet to buy my first electric. Don't know how to play. Haven't taken a lesson. My question to you all is this...would I have to worry about any of the new axes staying in tune? Like the new 2008 LP Standards, Axxess Standard, SG, 335's...etc.? I was watching a YouTube review of an older LP (I think from the 80's) compared to a Epiphone (made in China) model. The reviewer said both had problems staying in tune. With the Gibson LP he just said it needed to be setup. Not a big deal. I read the Customs come "setup" with the PLEX system. Does that necessarily ensure that the Custom LP's stay in tune? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeRom Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 I don't think any stringed instrument 'stays' in tune for very long, especially guitars. It's such a minor point tho, why even let it get in you thought process? There are things you can do to help it along, fresh strings, lubricating the nut, etc. Don't let it concern you for a even moment. Not worth worrying about. The PLEX treatment has nothing at all to do with tuning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Gibson tuning issues usually revolve around the nut, strings don't slide like they should. Easy fix. Epiphones usually stay in tune okay, it's the electronics that suck. Proper set up and massaged nut (if needed) will make your Gibson stay in tune as well as anything else made. Even my 335 is pretty stable. Get a good quality tuner. I have a Boss TU-2 and it's the best $100 I ever spent in $50,000 worth of gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevezapp Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Any guitar worth it's salt will stay in tune after a good setup. I'm not just talking Gibson's, or even Fender's or Ibanez's... A £100 starter guitar will stay in tune... It's when you get a guitar with crappy workmanship or a twisted neck etc - that's when you need to worry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB8 Posted March 27, 2009 Author Share Posted March 27, 2009 Well, that's what I meant. "Stay in tune longer". As no guitar or string instrument can "stay" in tune forever. In this case, then the LP Standard and SG are back on my shortlist. Just wondered. The YouTube clip just made it sound as if maybe you couldn't keep it in tune for more than 20 minutes. This is, as one of you said, a non-issue. Later guys. And for Stevezapp...why are you selling your "Robot"? I heard those actually go out of tune faster than axes without the Robot technology. True? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellion102792 Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 I'm seriously thinking of getting a bone nut for my SG because of tuning issues. My D, G, B, and occasional A and high E all bind like hell. If you press the string behind the nut, it will stay at least a quarter step high until you pull the string back. I've tried graphite, chapstick, a bar of soap, and nothing seems to help, so I'm considering changing for bone. So yeah, unless the tuning machine is defective, then the nut should be the cause of the guitar going out of tune. They should be able to hold their own if set up properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB8 Posted March 27, 2009 Author Share Posted March 27, 2009 I'm seriously thinking of getting a bone nut for my SG because of tuning issues. My D' date=' G, B, and occasional A and high E all bind like hell. If you press the string behind the nut, it will stay at least a quarter step high until you pull the string back. I've tried graphite, chapstick, a bar of soap, and nothing seems to help, so I'm considering changing for bone. So yeah, unless the tuning machine is defective, then the nut should be the cause of the guitar going out of tune. They should be able to hold their own if set up properly.[/quote'] At least a lot longer than it is now for you. :- Just curious. Is replacing the nut something any one can do? Or would you need to take it into a reputable shop? As I might need to do this one day. Hopefully not though. And I am considering the new SG. Love the finish on the body. Not sure if it's a "Custom" or not. Forget...actually it's not but it is a "limited run" version. See here... http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/SG/Gibson-USA/SG-Carved-Top---Autumn-Burst.aspx Though, at $4500 MSRP...maybe I'll just go for a 61 SG or the SG Standard. This will be my first after all! :) But the craftsmanship that went into this SG...to die for! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluemoon Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 I got a bone nut put in...no longer have any major tuning issues. Worth the $60+. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Is replacing the nut something any one can do? Or would you need to take it into a reputable shop? Don't do it yourself. Cheap enough, let somebody with the skill do it right, you'll have recourse if they screw it up. If YOU screw it up..... Find a GOOD luthier in your area and pay him well - it's the most important relationship you can have concerning guitars. If you can't find a good one, here's my favorite tip. Call Gibson Customer Service and find an authorized repair center from them. They HAVE to know their stuff or Gibson will hammer 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeRom Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 And I am considering the new SG. Love the finish on the body. Not sure if it's a "Custom" or not. Forget...actually it's not but it is a "limited run" version. See here... http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/SG/Gibson-USA/SG-Carved-Top---Autumn-Burst.aspx Though' date=' at $4500 MSRP...maybe I'll just go for a 61 SG or the SG Standard. This will be my first after all! :) But the craftsmanship that went into this SG...to die for! [/quote'] I can't blame you for wanting that one. I got a huge stiffy for it myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dem00n Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 I always have this thing i tell any new person learning guitar. "Dont buy a high-end guitar intill you can play good...cause what if you give up?" Oh and ive seen kids with $10,000 gear that say they wont give up and give up in 4 months... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Tari Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 I've only had that happen once. I bought a brand new Epi Les Paul. I couldn't get it to stay in tune. I took it back and the guys at AL&M tried but they couldn't get it to stay either. I was told for some money they would fix it for me. I hadn't had the guitar 24 hours and they wanted me to put money into a brand new guitar out of the box. No. I got my money back after some arguing. Went to Mars music and bought me a Epi Zephyr Blues Deluxe. Thats the only problem after buying over a dozen different guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB8 Posted March 27, 2009 Author Share Posted March 27, 2009 Hiya Roger, Not sure if I'm interested in some "fancy book learnin'" but I will look into it later. A tuner? Maybe. Though I do have iLife '09 and thus Garageband '09. Could see how well that works first. And will look into the "clip-on tuners" you recommended. And I'm sure when I've started learning from some one I like he will probably recommend a "tuner". Any how...on my short list are the LP Standard, SG (61 or maaaaaaaaaybe the Carved Top/Autumn Burst, or just the Standard), or a 335. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB8 Posted March 27, 2009 Author Share Posted March 27, 2009 I'm familiar with the "dummies series" of books. Just dunno if I'll bother to buy one for guitars. But will look one over when I find the time as I said. Found a lot of clip-on tuners on www.musiciansfriend.com. There's a series from Sabine. Respectable name? Any on this list you or any one else in this forum would recommend? http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation?q=clip-on+tuner Thanks. And the LE Gibson SG isn't that much. Or not as much as I thought it might be. Would run me as much as I would be paying for a LP Standard. Hmmmm.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevezapp Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 And for Stevezapp...why are you selling your "Robot"? I heard those actually go out of tune faster than axes without the Robot technology. True? I just bought a R0 at a very very good price (an offer that I couldn't turn down), but can't justify keeping $5k worth of guitar. Unfortunatley one has to go. She doesn't go out of tune any faster than any other guitar I've had. I think the reason people come to that conclusion is that you can retune her after every song by simply using the MCK, and even if it is ever so slightly out, the tuners activate, giving the impression the she'd dropped out big style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeRom Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Found a lot of clip-on tuners on www.musiciansfriend.com. There's a series from Sabine. Respectable name? Any on this list you or any one else in this forum would recommend? http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation?q=clip-on+tuner Thanks. My IntelliTouch clip on tuner works great but those look good too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notes_Norton Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I have an early gig today, so I didn't take the time to read all the posts, so please excuse me if I repeat some information. 1) No instrument stays in tune. For the guitar it's temperature, humidity, and the physical aspect of playing it. 2) You should tune up your guitar each and every time you play, and if playing hard or if the temperature changes a little touch up from time to time may be needed. 3) If your strings are binding in the nut you can tell when you are tuning. You twist the tuner nothing happens, twist a little more, nothing happens, twist again and you hear a little ping and the tuning jumps. The first thing to try is to rub a little #2 pencil lead in the grooves of the nut when changing the strings. Most of the time this solves the problem 4) Inferior tuners can slip, but I think this will not be the case if you are buying genuine Gibson, Epiphone, Fender, PRS and other good guitars. Gotta go, Insights and incites by Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB8 Posted March 28, 2009 Author Share Posted March 28, 2009 Thanks for the recommendations. Will look into those later. Stevezapp...good to know. That would explain why some have complained that the Robots go out of tune "faster". Still dunno if I'd buy one with this tech. Though, as I said, sounds like a worthwhile tech. Will have to see when the time comes. Later guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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