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Post subject: Restringing tips for staying in tune
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:34 am
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My guitar will not stay in tune for its life....ive heard that there are certain ways you can put your strings on that will help hold them more securely and help it to stay in tune but how??

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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:47 am
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Is it going out when using tremolo? or is it an acoustic?

Here this guy is going to show you exactly what i was going to explain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rhdxCECcl4
Watch how he wraps the string around & under itself when putting it through the tuning peg.
It causes a knot like effect at the tuning peg.

Now tell me about your guitar... What is it? lol

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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:48 am
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I remember when I was starting out I had the crazy idea that the entire surplus string length had to be wound onto the tuner post. Very exhausting winding away at those tuners (without a string winder) and of course completely wrong for stable intonation. And it was ages before someone put me right - I felt such a twerp!

No idea of your experience level, and no disparagement intended at all, but just in case it helps, be aware that the fewer the winds of string on that post the better. Ideally, just two or three. Then, when the string pulls and releases with finger bends or trem use there is little scope for it slipping against that post. It is the little double-back that keeps the string firmly on the post, not miles of windings…

Incidentally, locking tuners are not at all vital; but they do help in as much as you don’t need the string winding round the post at all (almost).

Hope that’s of use to you - or someone else.

- C


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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:54 am
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You could get a locking nut and bridge, I've heard those help. Good luck


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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:55 am
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bss wrote:
Is it going out when using tremolo? or is it an acoustic?

Here this guy is going to show you exactly what i was going to explain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rhdxCECcl4
Watch how he wraps the string around & under itself when putting it through the tuning peg.
It causes a knot like effect at the tuning peg.

Now tell me about your guitar... What is it? lol


This is the way I do it one one of my MIM. My Tele has vintage tuners, so it's different, and my other guitar has locking tuners.

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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:02 am
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It also helps to tune a string UP into the correct pitch from below (flat) rather than tuning it down from above (sharp).

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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:13 am
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You have got some serious gear, so I am assuming you know how to string a guitar and stretch the strings, right? So, assuming that...

Are you using the tremelo?
If "yes": does it stay in tune if you don't use the trem?
If "no": it likely can be tweaked with some graphite

Either way, I would definitely suggest lubricating with graphite the nut, saddles, and (maybe even) the tree. For a more permanent fix, you may want to consider new saddles and/or a nut.

If the above does not do the trick, you may also consider adding a trem spring to remove "the float" (make the bridge flush with the body). Personally, I prefer my Strat to have four springs and be set up this way. Mine will stay in tune forever if I do not use trem.

Just a thought...


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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:38 am
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01GT eibach wrote:
I would definitely suggest lubricating with graphite the nut, saddles, and (maybe even) the tree.


Ah, yes, the string tree. Many people like to raise that a few mil to reduce friction on the string. You can get a little washer (I am told) from model shops, sold as some sort of component in scale model trains: it is supposed to be exactly the right size to raise that tree.

Some people just use an old ball end cut from a used string: take the tree off, thread that ball end onto the screw in addition to the spacer that is already there then put the whole lot back on.

Or buy new Graphtech string trees. Pennies.

Cheers - C


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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:28 pm
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ok to answer the first question...i have been playing for roughly 9 years...

and i know this is dumb because it is a fender forum...but it is actually my les paul that has the tuning problems.

thankyou all for your advice tho!

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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:37 pm
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I checked out the vid and followed it thx....im also checkin out the string trees tm....hopefully it will stay in tune now

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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:44 pm
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When I restring my LP, I use at most two wraps on the peg for wound strings and three on the unwound. It keeps the break angle at the nut more reasonable and reduces friction. Also, break angle at the bridge is vital. I raise the stoptail just enough so that the strings are not touching the back of the bridge, this reduces break angle and a friction point. Pencil lead on the nut and sadles helps too. The usuall suspect with LP's though is the nut itself, if it's not cut properly there will be friction no matter how you lube the slots. On a Strat the nut slots are straight across to the the pegs for the most part, but a LP is different in that there is quite an angle on the A, D, G, and B strings. So if the angles are not cut right in the nut they will bind, in this case see a tech unless you are confident enough to make the adjustment yourself. HTH.


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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:19 pm
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If we are suddenly talking Les Pauls (!!??), then in all likelyhood you know this, but I'll quickly mention it anyway. You can reduce the breaking angle across the saddles, so improving intonation stability and sometimes reducing string breakage. When stringing the guitar feed the string through the stoptail in the opposite direction to normal, so that the ball end finds itself seated on the bridge side of the tailpiece; then turn the string so that it travels back over the top of the tail and onward to the bridge at a much shallower angle.

Simple, but lots of people do it and think it helps. You probably knew it already, but perhaps it is useful to someone out there.

On the other hand, you are not going to have much luck trying to raise the stringtree on a Paul...

Now. Getting back to Fenders -

- C


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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:40 pm
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Fire your current roadie and hire a Guitar Tech. When the guitar goes out of tune, just hand it to the roadie. Sorry, I've been watching too many commercials with that darn "EASY" button.

Seriously though, if you are having problems after all the advice you've recieved in this forum have a tech at your local music store try to help you. The more info about your playing style and the problems you're having, the better they can set it up to your needs.


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