noahclem Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Hi everyone, I have a newish Advanced Jumbo and I generally love it. I just recently have been trying to keep it tuned down a whole step so I could learn some Lightning Hopkins. I sort of expected some slackness in the tuning (and it helps for the Lightning sound), but I have had horrible trouble trying to keep it in tune. I have been using Mediums. Is this a problem with the tuners or the tuning? Lightning certainly used Gibsons (and even lower tension ones than the AJ), as does Ernie Hawkins who teaches the Lightning style in a dvd (and youtube). Any advice out there? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilliangirl Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 I tune down a half-step and full-step often and I find that I have to tweak it often for the first little while. If I keep it tuned down for a day it eventually settles in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrorod Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Noahclem, It is most likely a problem with the nut/slots. The guitar was probably 'set-up' from the factory for light strings. since you are using mediums (larger diameter)....the strings are probably binding in the grooves of the nut. Working on the nut requires some specialized files. You may want to take it to a good guitar repairman and have the guitar properly set-up for medium strings. It is my experience(however limited) that new guitars(Gibson and otherwise) are sold with a minimal set-up.....and should be fine-tuned to the owners preference after the purchase...RRod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noahclem Posted March 10, 2008 Author Share Posted March 10, 2008 Thanks for the replies. It's probably the lack of setup - I bought the guitar in late December and though the Guitar Center salesman offered a free setup, I wanted it to settle in to mediums first. I had left it tuned down for a while, but just couldn't get it to stay in tune. Maybe it's time to get that setup (although it keeps its tuning at standard pitch like a champ). I am really excited about exploring whole step down - seems silly, but I am looking forward to cheating on those G and C rags they try to intimidate us newbies with at the acoustic blues jam!! :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrosurfer1959 Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 make sure to get a good wrap on the tuners when you string up allot of people dont get a tight wrap and then drop tuning loosens the strings and lets them move around happens a lot with electrics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitaropsimath Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 I'd agree with the set-up and/or the tuning peg wrap posts. My '33 L-00 loves the whole step down tuning thing, even use a capo with it. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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