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Post subject: Tuning issues on B strings.. HELP!!
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 8:58 pm
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I had my Fender American Standard Srat 2010 model since 2011 or so and it always had tuning issues in the higher strings especially in B! Driving me nuts!!! I replaced the strings, put some lube in the nut, higher or lower action, same!! I don;t even use the tremolo bar anymore!

I wanna throw this away... My other guitar, Fender Blacktop Strat , MIJ Tele and even my daughter's Squire Strat is stable! Now, I do understand that I can never achieve a full in tune with a strat but a ridiculous almost 1 whole step out of tune??!

Tuners are stock
I play '10s
Bridge is Callaham Graphite


Please help... i wanna throw this guitar in the trash... really useless in live playing. :x :oops:

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Post subject: Re: Tuning issues on B strings.. HELP!!
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 10:32 pm
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And don't you just hate it when your Fenders make you get toilet paper stuck to your shoe?

A whole step ...... :roll:

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Post subject: Re: Tuning issues on B strings.. HELP!!
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 12:07 am
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That makes no sense. The open B string will only tune to an A? Did I also understand you to say that you've only changed your strings once?

If you're saying that it drops to an A when you start playing and bending you might have a bad tuner. If you're saying it won't stay in tune when you are fretting notes high up the neck but stays in tune when played open, I would guess that your intonation is out.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning issues on B strings.. HELP!!
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 5:00 am
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More details are needed to understand the problem if we are to help.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning issues on B strings.. HELP!!
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 6:13 am
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The guitar needs a proper setup.
Since the start point is what it is, IMHO it's in this case best to have a good pro do it.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning issues on B strings.. HELP!!
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 8:55 am
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The guitar doesn't need a setup nearly as much as it's owner does.
A whole step?
That is physically and scientifically impossible.
You could adjust your intonation so that it is as far off base as it can possibly be and it would still be far less than one semi-tone out, let alone two.
There's something wrong alright but it's not what the OP is implying.

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Post subject: Re: Tuning issues on B strings.. HELP!!
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 5:46 am
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I would check the way the string is wrapped on the tuning key make sure you get a good wrap. If it only allows you to only tune to A and stops its probably slipping. Bend the string if it keeps going down in pitch it probably slipping on the tuning key.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning issues on B strings.. HELP!!
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 12:32 pm
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I have to agree with mojjett here in that more details are really needed other than "my B string won't stay in tune".

In loo of that, I would suggest a CALM, simple process of elimination to determine where the problem actually is. Start at the headstock...is the tuning key slipping? Tuners can and do go bad. If you're using locking tuners, is the locking mechanism working correctly? Could it be the way you wind your strings on the tuner? A LOT of people just don't know how to correctly wind a string. You do of course stretch your strings when changing them, yes? Next take a look at the string T? If it has an actual T, is there perhaps a burr on it that's causing the string to catch/hang up? If it's got rollers, are the rollers turning smoothly? Check the nut...is it filed correctly for the string gauge you're using? A lot of folks will go to a heavier string gauge (say from .009's to .010's or higher) but they'll fail to have the nut filed correctly...this can cause the string slot to "pinch". From there work your way down to the bridge. Is there a problem with the saddle? Is the string end (ball or bullet) seating correctly in the trem block? You get the idea...

Basic process of elimination...go thru it step by step until you find the problem. If you don't find the problem, then go have a smoke break...chill...kill a few peasants...relax...and when you return, just "lather, rinse and repeat".

I hope this helps.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning issues on B strings.. HELP!!
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 12:59 pm
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I guess its the nut. Most ppl oversee this for some reason. Often problems like this come from a wrong filed nut.

I gues what op means is that he tunes it and when he does a chord or something the b string is out of tune. For the chord. At least i guess it what he means.

First check the nut and filed it accordingly (or let someone do it) and then adjust intonation. YOu will have a nice Strat afterwards, i would bet.

If that is not what he meant and it just goes out of tune easily i would also re-file the nut at the strings and go through a lubing session.

First set up like here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgfMyJ76p4o

And then do this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezeDO5aBREo


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Post subject: Re: Tuning issues on B strings.. HELP!!
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 1:24 pm
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I repeat, the guitar needs a proper setup, preferably by someone who knows what to do.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=72005&p=849951#p849951


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Post subject: Re: Tuning issues on B strings.. HELP!!
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 2:04 pm
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jmattis wrote:
I repeat, the guitar needs a proper setup, preferably by someone who knows what to do.


Probably.

9/10's of the problems with Strats usually come down to the setup. That said, with a "mystery problem" and an apparently elusive OP, it never hurts to work from top to bottom. Most electrics (Strat or otherwise) can benefit from a proper setup, however there's not much sense doing a complete setup if it's something silly like a ball end sticking in a trem block and a setup won't make up for a bad tuner.....doesn't hurt to check these things first. Just my always and ever so humble opinion.

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Post subject: Re: Tuning issues on B strings.. HELP!!
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 11:39 pm
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Hmm... didn't we have this conversation before..? :lol: :lol: :lol:

This topic might become a text book example:
Members of a friendly forum giving numerous answers based on an issue which remains unexplained (spells: based on guessing).
The eager guitar owner trying out every one of those gold nuggets, in no particular order, and without experience in guitar setups.
Possibility of getting it right: random. Amount of playing time lost: ???

I'm all for learning to setup/maintain anyone's own guitar, if one has the will to do so.
Check the link I posted, do you see this happening?

Bad tuner (a distant possibility in an AmStd2010), bad windings, nut problems, ball end issues etc. will be discovered and dealt with in a pro setup - plus, it keeps the wheels of world economics turning (& brings the spring on sooner; keeps your feet dry; helps fight dandruff; lengthens and strengthens; etc.)

Now, why the (ro)ll are you constantly against it :?:


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Post subject: Re: Tuning issues on B strings.. HELP!!
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 6:22 am
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jmattis, your point is well taken. Since the OP doesn't even have enough interest simply to reply to the thread let alone deal w/a setup, it's all moot. He's had the guitar since 2011, never stayed in tune, & now 4 years on asking for help, then disappears?? :roll:


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Post subject: Re: Tuning issues on B strings.. HELP!!
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 6:26 am
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I have had very positive results with pro setups.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning issues on B strings.. HELP!!
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:30 am
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HotRodRed wrote:
I have had very positive results with pro setups.


Me too, I do it all the time. :lol:

Based on the OP's description of his problem, I'd venture to guess that the subject guitar is screaming for some extended professional attention.

There are many players who aren't cut out to work on guitars to any serious degree and won't. This doesn't make them any less a player, person or whatever. Rather, it's just the way it is; one should know their limitations. Then there's some who are the type who feel they are enlightened and thereby, empowered to work on any guitar for any reason. In reality, they shouldn't be working on them either. And then there's some who are the type who would rather talk about it for months and months, searching and researching to the ends of the earth for that ever elusive resolution to their problem rather than bring their guitar to a pro tech where their problem would have been resolved prior to all those months, posts and guesswork. The moral of the story: Everyone doesn't think alike. So, if the OP chooses to wallow in his predicament and will only entertain advice that he wants to hear, he can't be helped.

As always, this is merely IMO where YMMV.

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