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Post subject: Tuning Problems - American Special Strat
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 11:27 am
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I recently got an American Special Strat and am having a hell of a time keeping it in tune. I love everything about the guitar except for this problem. It's a pretty bad issue and I was just wondering what are some things I can do to try and fix it. Thanks


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problems - American Special Strat
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 11:41 am
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How old are your strings?
Has the guitar ever had a full set up done?

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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problems - American Special Strat
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 11:46 am
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I just pulled the guitar out of the box last week. New strings were put on it the very next day. I've stretched them out quite a bit - probably more than I should have.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problems - American Special Strat
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 11:56 am
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As has been said, a proper setup is required.
What gauge strings did you put on it?

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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problems - American Special Strat
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 11:57 am
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I'm using .008s


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problems - American Special Strat
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 12:46 pm
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jestremera wrote:
I'm using .008s


^-- I think that says a lot about the issue your having.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problems - American Special Strat
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 12:49 pm
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KidBlast wrote:
jestremera wrote:
I'm using .008s


^-- I think that says a lot about the issue your having.


How so, KidBlast?


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problems - American Special Strat
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 12:58 pm
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Do you have a real light touch? I mean, those are pretty light..
IMX, that that gauge strings, just wont be stable. (I used them years ago, I was tuning constantly)

have you considered trying at least 009s?

I'd say, try those, or even 010s and then see what happens.

(you will get used to the increased resistance.)


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problems - American Special Strat
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 1:22 pm
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I see. I need to use extra lights due to a hand condition. I have to make .008's work.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problems - American Special Strat
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 1:43 pm
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It's not impossible, but it's going to take someone experienced in guitar setup.
Jimmy Page, Tony Iommi, Billy Gibbons & BB King all use light string gauges, and they all get great tones from their respective guitars.

008s are pretty light strings though!

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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problems - American Special Strat
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 1:54 pm
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Hi there,
You could try to put some graphite powder from a pencil in the nut slots.
Detune, remove strings from the slots and put some graphite. The tune back to e flat or even less.
At this point you could brush your pencil tip on the strings, just in front of the nut in the frerboard side, not in the tuners side. Brush in the bottom part of the string, the one that will be in contact with the nut later.
Then tune to normal pitch, by doing that that part of the strings will move into the nut slots.
That should help with tuning issues related to the nut.
Try to apply the same principle in front of the string tree (s).
This permanently solved my tuning issue with strat American standard, even if I experienced the problem when moving from factory 0.09 to heavier 0.10.
It became a standard operating procedure whenever I change strings.

Ciao


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problems - American Special Strat
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 2:14 pm
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Thanks so much, pretto84. I will give that a shot. Someone else mentioned the graphite thing to to me. Nut Sauce was also recommended but I'm not familiar with that product.

I've gotten used to .008s and really like them now. You can get some really crazy bends with them. Nothing sounds like .010s, though. That's the gauge I used to use before I started having issues with my hand. As long as I still get to play, I'm happy.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problems - American Special Strat
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 5:45 pm
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Do a setup first. Lubrication is meaningless until a proper setup has been done. It is a waste of time. The guitar has to be set up first before you can determine if lubrication is an issue on the nut. Do a setup first. A great many guitars require no nut sauce and they play just fine and stay in tune. My guitars stay in tune and I have never used the stuff. Do a setup first.





Do a setup ...... first.

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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problems - American Special Strat
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 11:10 pm
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I pulled up the page here on the Fender site to walk you through a proper set up.

http://www.fender.com/support/articles/stratocaster-setup-guide/

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Post subject: Re: Tuning Problems - American Special Strat
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2014 1:21 am
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(The subject of shimming came up on another topic, which reminded me to mention it here, too. Hope I'm not turning into a one trick pony, though...)

A little shim in the neck pocket may also be helpful.
Sometimes with very light strings it's better to have a little increased neck angle; the "down force" on the bridge saddles may not be enough in normal settings.

On lubing: like it says on the setup guide, lip balm applied with a toothpick is also helpful (and the disclaimer mentioned before: if the guitar is otherwise OK).
And there are plenty of commercialized special lubes to choose from.
I don't use pencil myself, hate the smudging effect.

jestremera, I don't know your skill level, but it might be wise to let a pro do the first setup. It's not a big investment.
And BTW & IMHO, very nice sounds have been recorded with .008 gauges 8)


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