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Post subject: Tuning and intonation issues Highway 1 Strat
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:07 am
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My G string is constantly going out of tune. NOTE I don't stretch my stings. Does stretching the string really make a difference? Im pretty uptight about intonation and a set of .09 -.42 usually lasts me less then a week and then anything past the 12th fret (high E) sounds out of tune. What I'm thinking is that my stings don't even have time to settle by the time I change them to ensure intonation. As it stands now Im always tuning up and/or out of tune past the 12 fret. I've brough my Strat to the shop a couple of times and I've asked to check if anything in construction could be at the root of either tuning and/or intonation problem but everytime nothing was found...neck seems OK...etc.

Does anyone recognize anything in what I'm expirencing? Would stretching me stings make a difference. Should I consider placing the stock Ping tuners for a set of locking tuners? I've yet to find any really good reviews or case studies on how locking tuners can help a Stat out when it comes to tuning.

Help! I don't want to loose faith in my Fenders.


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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:37 am
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I have a Highway One bone stock. It's got the standard Ping/Fender tuners, the standard bone nut, standard chromed bridge. I play a lot with bending and vibrato on the fret board, which is hard on the tuning. Stays in tune well. Since I like to sound as good as possible, and my wife demands it, I check the tuning with an electronic plug-in Seiko tuner about once a week and give a nudge here or there if needed. Locking tuners sound good if they never go out, but it's really not an issue so there's no reason for me to do it.

Imho, changing strings once a week without stretching is probably causing the problem. Strings can last a long time before they get worn. Fender definitely says to stretch the new ones. When my strings were brand new, the guitar would go out of tune a little bit easier than my experience. Now, it's rock solid. You've got to break the strings in and get some sweat on them for them to meld in with the guitar and get going.


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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:46 am
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You definitely need to stretch your strings after you first put them on to get them to settle in. Have you checked your intonation to make sure it's set correctly? I use a Peterson Strobe tuner and do all my own intonation work and rarely have issues with my strats, but again, you have to stretch those strings or you won't have a true feel of how the guitar will play. Also, if your intonation was set up with strings that were not initially stretched in, this could make the guitar sound in tune when you initially put the strings on and then once they stretch and settle the intonation will be off...


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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:51 am
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Very good suggestions here so far.

Sounds to me like there might also be an issue with the nut slot.

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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:05 am
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When you say a problem with the nut slot i imagine you mean the slot for the G string is either to tight or to loose. Is there anything that I can do to verify the nut slot?


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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:09 am
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Take a very close look at it. The string may be catching on a burr. If you have a small very fine file run it through the slot.

Applying some graphite (pencil lead works fine) to the slot will also help.

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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:27 am
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Keep all the string areas lubed well, i.e. the nut, (I use chap-stick) and the bridge (3 in one, or other oil.)

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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:44 am
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So I will definetly take a look at the nut and try lubbing it up. Still...would locking tuners help? I wouldn't know how to verify if the sting is slipping at the tuner or string trees. Are locking tuners a safe bet?


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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:06 pm
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I used to have locking tuners on my '93 Plus Deluxe, but when I replaced the neck with a 60's reissue I put on Klusons (vintage) and quite frankly they stay in tune better than any other tuners I've used. 3 out of 4 of my strats have them, and they seem to be much tighter and more exact than the locking tuners or other American Standard tuners that I've used. I may be wrong, but the only thing locking tuners help with is to keep the string from slipping out of the post - that's it.


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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:19 pm
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Yeah I had Klusons on a MIJ Mustang and never had a problem...my friend has Klusons on his MIM Stat and dido. I guess everthing beats the Ping tuners.


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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 2:13 pm
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Always stretch new strings and change them one at the time.
Have a look at the nut slots, sand them down with very fine sandingpaper
or special nutslot files. Using pensil lead is also a good idea.

Peter


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Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:20 am
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i recently put Fender schaller locking tuners on my strats.on my highway one
they work great.it stays in tune.i have fret buzz because i like low action
intonation stays in tune.you could look in this forum and find many answers,
which will help you.


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Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 2:40 pm
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The strings will constantly go out of tune until they are fully stretched. Check the type of strings and gauge you use as well. I used Blue Steel strings for awhile the life of these was very short in my opinion. I changed to Ernie Ball strings and have used Addario too. These lasted allot longer than the Blue Steel strings. Sometimes the nuts aren't cut cleanly and the string might get caught up. Take caution when trying to file the nut yourself. If you go too deep or wide your S.O.L. Locking tuners aren't your problem. If you don't think your tuners are firm, then tighten the screw at the top of your tuning pegs a little at a time. This can help hold your tune better.


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