Out of tune strings.

[Elliott]

The G and B strings on My Epi black beauty keep coming out of tune !

I tune up, play like half a song and they come out of tune.

 

Help anyone ?

=[

[Ricochet]

I'd suspect a binding nut. Maybe combined with improper winding technique.

 

Try running a soft pencil lead trough the offending slots first. And always tune up to pitch.

[theDeuce]

Check how the string is attached on the tuner to see if it is slipping.

 

Check the tuner itself.

 

Check for possibly bad strings.

 

Did you put these strings on yourself?

 

Check the neck and head for cracks.

 

Does the string "ping" when you tune up?

[Elliott]

Yeah, when I tune up I get these little 'ping' noises.

Im not sure what that is.

=[

 

And these strings are the ones that came on the guitar, so they would be wound properly.

 

Its so annoying !

[ef_in_fla]

That ping is the sound of the string releasing from the bind. What gauge strings are they? Try the pencil graphite or you can buy products made to "lube your nut".

[Elliott]

Yeah, ive heard lots about this 'graphite' idea.

Can some one explain it, and what it does ?

[Ricochet]

Yeah' date=' ive heard lots about this 'graphite' idea.

Can some one explain it, and what it does ?[/quote']

 

It's a 'dry' lubricant. Preferable over 'wet' like grease...it will work too, but attract dust and dirt eventually clogging up the nut slot. Making matters worse!

[charlie brown]

Most nuts need some work...one simple thing you can do, is take a used string, and (gently) use it like a little file,

to smooth out the edges of the slots. Be careful not to overdo it, and alter (in a bad way) the depth of the slot,

but just kind of "round off" the sharp edges, a bit. Use same gauge as slot...which is usually 1 guage or so, above

what string guage comes "standard." Fender "in line" design, keeps the sting straight (or reasonably so) through

the nut, so if there's any binding, it's usually at the bottom of the slot, or if the stings being used are too big, for

the standard cut. Gibson, an other 3 on a side and "pitched" headstock designs, pull the strings at an angle...not only down,

but to either side, as well. So, "binding" chances are much greater...IMHO, anyway. But, it's pretty easily fixed, unless

the nut is just improperly cut, then if you're not familiar (or, heavy handed) let a luthier do that work, for you. Otherwise

graphite, "nut sauce" or other lubricants by themselves, or combined with the gentle rounding, will (most often) cure the

problem. Provided of course, the strings aren't "bad," or improperly wound on the tuners, or not properly "stretched!"

 

CB

[Notes_Norton]

I've had this problem, complete with the ping, on all my guitars in the past.

 

When I had my Kramer-Faux-Stat with the whammy bar it was the worst. So I wrote to Gibson/Kramer customer service and the tech suggested the pencil lead cure that Ricochet mentioned. I haven't had the problem since.

 

Every time I change the strings on my Casino, Gibson ES-330, Epi Flat Top, or ESP/LTD I rub some #2 pencil lead in the grooves of the nut and all my guitars now stay in tune while I am playing them.

 

Of course, I tune them up first thing before playing them (temperature changes will put your guitar out) and I tune up to pitch.

 

Notes

[Elliott]

Not that anyone will see this now but...

I applied the graphite technique to my LP, and I couldnt believe how well it worked !

I was skeptical at first, thinking it wouldnt work, but it worked beautifully !

 

Also, I was having trouble with intonation on my high E string, and my tune-o-matic bridge seemed to be not doing its job, but I changed the string and the intonation is fine now.

 

Smiles all round.

Thanks everyone.

=]

[bluesman345]

Hi there! The first that that I do after I buy a guitar is to put a new set of strings on. Especially if the factory strings aren't the best quality, or if the guitar has been played to death by kids with sweaty, greasy hands at the store.

 

For a long-term solution, may I suggest installing a GraphTech nut and GraphTech "String Saver" saddles. The saddles are available for most types of guitars (eg. Fender, Gibson, etc.), but you must be sure to get the saddles that fit your bridge exactly - the bridge type (eg. ABR-1) is specified on the package. These are easy to install yourself. However, the nut will have to be custom cut and notched by your tech.

The manufacturer (GraphTech in Richmond, British Columbia) claims that you "will never break a string again". That would be nice! The idea is that friction from the vibrating string releases teflon-like molecules from the graphite, which lubricate the string at the point of friction, so the more you play, the more the string is lubricated. This is especially useful if a vibrato system is used. Another option would be to install a good bridge, such as a Gotoh. My tech said that a Gotoh is as smooth as the graphite saddles and will last even longer. Either way, I hope this helps!

[stan 58]

+1 Change Strings!!Stan.