Just bought my very first Fender Stratocaster! I bought a beautiful Deluxe Player Strat with transparent Crimson Red finish, rosewood fretboard, and US vintage noiseless pickups.

I am creating this thread because I am looking for some knowledge from Strat veterans. I am 23 and striving to be a professional musician, so my gear has to be working in pristine order at all times, and I am having some issues with this guitar which prevent me from sounding and playing my best...

First of all, and most importantly, the thing does not stay in tune, ever. I have had the guitar over a week now, have played a gig, used it to teach a couple days, and have practiced quite a few times already on it, so I know the strings have had time to fully stretch. Anytime I bend, or even just vibrato sometimes, knocks it out of tune. I can hear the treble strings click and the pitch changes. Why/how is this happening? I think I remember a buddy saying he had to replace the nut of his guitar for tuning reasons...is that what this is? or is it the string guide on the high B&E strings that causes this? Is it the springs of the trem, or the trem itself? Or is it the vintage tuning pegs? How can i fix this so I am not ALWAYS out of tune, or retuning?

Also, my volume knob isn't functioning properly...the volume reduces about 85% between 10-8.5...whats up with that? Theres no smoothness to it at all...its almost like an on-off switch. Is this normal on strats?

And lastly, I am used to floyd rose systems, where you can tighten the whammy bar to the point where it stays wherever you put it...should my strat be able to do that? or should it always be loose, and tightening it will only strip the threads?

Don't get me wrong, Its a beautiful guitar, it sounds good, feels great; but between the tuning and lack of volume control, I must say I am getting frustrated and can feel a bad taste/negative review of strats coming on.

I know strat players swear by them and would go to the grave for them...help me out. Are these things normal? How can they be fixed?

OK, so I am doing some research to help myself, and the tuning issue I am having is definitely String BINDING...everyone in these forums are throwing this word around like its totally common knowledge among babies, but I have never heard this word. Now the common thread among all these forums are that everyone is saying "Oh yeah, thats definitely binding"... and thats it. No one proceeds to say how to prevent string binding. So my question now is...HOW DO YOU PREVENT STRING BINDING?

I saw a couple ideas-use a lube or *lead, get the nut recut...what do you think? I actually remember now when I worked at a fender guitar shop, I helped with the setups, and the guy made me scribble a lead pencil in the nut slots for every string on his strats...I never knew why...that must have been it.

Another question...when did binding become such basic guitar knowledge and how did it slip by me for so long? Where did ya'll hear about it?

Yes, it sounds like string binding... though it depends on whether it is going sharp or flat. If it goes flat it would suggest stretch, though it sounds like you know it's not that. Binding is caused by friction at the nut (though, to tell you the truth, I have no idea what physical properties cause it). You can definitely alleviate it by using a pencil and rubbing the tip at the nut to lubricate it... while the string is off, it's also a good idea to lead the saddle, which may also be causing the string to go out of tune. They sell something called "Big Bend Nut Sauce" which is supposed to be used for that specific problem... I've heard it doesn't work too well though, but I've never used it. You could also replace the nut with a graphite one, but I'd try the way simpler approach first.



Definitely not normal on strats. The volume should go down smoothly, especially in the deluxe models (though in my experience, even Squier Strat pots work well). If you bought it new, I suggest you take it to the store ASAP and try to them to fix it or replace it. If you bought it used, I guess you should try not to play at less than full volume on the guitar!

I don't know about the tremolo system... I hardly ever use it. I'm sure other (more knowledgeable and experienced) people in the forum will be able to help you way more. Good luck!

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2007 Fender Stratocaster Roadhouse - Olympic White
2005 Ibanez GRX20Z - Jewel Blue
Fender Frontman 65R Amp
Fender Frontman 15w
Digitech RP50, RP80

"If the house is rockin', don't bother knockin'... come on in."

-Stevie Ray Vaughn

Don't mean to double post, but forgot two obvious but salient points:

-In my experience, the fewer winds around the post, the better the tuning holds.
-Any contact point can be the problem, so string trees could also get things out of whack.

_________________
2007 Fender Stratocaster Roadhouse - Olympic White
2005 Ibanez GRX20Z - Jewel Blue
Fender Frontman 65R Amp
Fender Frontman 15w
Digitech RP50, RP80

"If the house is rockin', don't bother knockin'... come on in."

-Stevie Ray Vaughn

BTW, thanks for the input.

I am almost certain it has to be binding at the nut...cause its not just on the high E-B strings...its happening on basically all the strings.

U have to properly set-up ur deluxe. U can't play gigs with a guitar that goes out of tune, ridiculous. There's a bunch of issues that have to be addressed. First, get rid of that piece of crap metal string tree n replace with a graphite one.

Your bone nut is fine, just use liquid graphite. If ur tuning keys have the F on em, then wait until it strips before replacing. Yes, those keys suck but will do for now. Keep em tightly locked.

Purchase n install a tremolo stablizer for $25 bucks. Then install a couple of metal sleaves to prevent ur claw screws from moving while in trem use. Plze re-read what I just wrote, is very accurate.

Lastly, u have to put a wooden block (shim) between ur trem n body's cavity. Make sure ur wood is perfect thickest so the tremolo sits perfectly flush with ur body.

Don't install a Tremsetter, their expensive n will lower the value of ur deluxe body.

Oh yeah, a grease bucket circuit for a $80 will upgrade ur system to pro standards. If ur not sure about GBC, then google it.

Be good.

He said he uses the tremolo... why would he want to block it? His question was regarding the arm, if you can screw it in all the way until it won't flop over from the horizontal... I suppose to prevent having to reach down for it during fast playing?? Blocking the bridge would certainly help your tuning, but if you use it then it would be too much of a compromise, plus, the guitar should be able to stay moderately in tune even with tremolo use. I presume that it goes out of tune without tremolo use as well.



In my opinion, if the guitar is new everything should be working perfectly out of the box, short of the nuances every player wants to fudge with to get their own sound. You should invest money into it only if you were playing to mod it anyways.

_________________
2007 Fender Stratocaster Roadhouse - Olympic White
2005 Ibanez GRX20Z - Jewel Blue
Fender Frontman 65R Amp
Fender Frontman 15w
Digitech RP50, RP80

"If the house is rockin', don't bother knockin'... come on in."

-Stevie Ray Vaughn

Hi MJX57

The strings could be going out of tune for a number of reasons. The nut binding issue is definately the main cause on some of the strings. Indicated by the pinging noise your hearing. The other issue that works in conjunction with nut binding is string winds onto the tuner posts. Keep these winds to a minimum, 2-3 full wraps on everything except the high E&B strings. They want around 4-5 wraps. Make sure the wraps around the tuner posts dont crisscross, that they are all stacked neatly underneath each other.

The nut binding is caused by a roughly cut slot. Unfortunately you dont want to go trying to smooth them out if your not experienced at that kind of stuff. If you take 1/1000" too much off it can ruin a nut. Its a critical area. You can use pencil lead, or pay for nutsauce (vasceline in a neat applicator is all it is. Myself I prefer dental floss. It doesnt colour the nut like pencil lead or graphite do and it smells nice. Make sure you get a really waxy one though. I use OralB. Allowing the trem to pull up as well as dip often cures these problems over time. A strat trem will never come to tune as well when its set flush against the body. Even the tiniest bit of pull up helps return to pitch no end.

Now the next point. Your strats trem was never designed to be used like a floyd rose. If your dipping to the point of the strings hanging off the fretboard 3 times a song, its going to go out of tune. With a little know how you can set the trem up to be quite stable. Its a bit of a balancing act though.

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No no and no

This is more of an opinion rather than a remedial discourse.

Having used Strats pretty much exclusively for the last 40+ years, I've had plenty of them including 'pedigrees' too. Currently and by choice, I use a Deluxe Players Strat (DPS) as my #1. However, from what I've experienced, the majority of them need SERIOUS work to make them play up to their outstanding potential. All the right 'ingredients' are definitely built into these models yet unfortunately, fret sprout, nut binding, dry fingerboards, mismatched electronics, etc. are some of the maladies which are usually there upon purchase.

For those choosing a DPS while used to a Floyd system guitar, the experience has to be beyond exasperating as the two are truly separate entities and are essentially, each for different purposes.

As previously stated, the DPSs do have all the right stuff being made to what I perceive, predominantly a combination of American vintage and modern specifications (and components) but assembled in Mexico.

These DPSs are truly, "diamonds in the rough" but due to their inherent off the rack condition, amateur 'tweaks' will for the most part, be ineffective as will attempting to accomplish any kind of, "one size fits all" specifications. ONLY with the expertise of a COMPETENT and EXPERIENCED tech can it be one of the finest Strats anyone could or would want to own.

As always, this is merely IMO, YMMV.

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You dig?

Weird how he didn't notice the problem at the music store? Didn't he plug it in? Either way he should take back the guitar n have it repaired or c if they'll upgrade to a GBC.

Personally If I bought a guitar new and was having issues with I would return it to the place of purchase and have it fixed or replaced.
There should be NO ISSUES with a brand new Fender guitar!!

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Right! Unfortunately though, many a so called, "tech" in many of these places of purchase are incapable of resolving most of these issues. Rather, they exacerbate them and create new ones.

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You dig?

That is true. I guess that is why I have learned to do most of this stuff myself.

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Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
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F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

String binding is very simple to explain. The nut slots the strings run through are cut for a specific size of string. Too thick of a string and they will bind in the nut. The guitar will seem to be in tune because the string is bound in the nut, once the guitar is played, the motion could cause the string to pop out, guitar to go out of tune. You'll fix the tuning again and the string will pop out again. Check the string gauge with the default recommendations from fender.

As far as the control knobs, sounds like you have bad pots or Fender put the wrong type of pot... I'd have a guitar tech check it out. A proper setup should take care of most your problems. $60 is a small amount to pay for piece of mind...

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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Without getting into a argument about this please dont block your trem. Its a nonsense action thats only of any use to people who strictly dont use it. Your far better off to research the Carl Veheyen method of setting your trem up, do what he says then make a few tweaks. I personaly set my trems to pull the open G up to Bb. This means the back of the trem is 3/8" off the body. It doesnt impair the tuning of my guitar but does make re-stringing a little more difficult. But I know a secret behind that too.

As for the volume control problem, dont try putting a greasebucket mod onto the volume pot. Thats for tone controls not volume controls. Instead take a look at the Seymour Duncan volume pot treble bleed mod. Smooth volume taper is not its primary goal, but I found it helps. There are various mods here to try. I prefered the Duncan one, you may prefer a different one.


Click this for treble bleed mods

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No no and no