arrg tuning problems driving me mad!

[_tom_]

Over the last few weeks or so, and especially last night, the 3 unwound strings on my Epi LP are going out of tune way too often! I checked the nut slots and they seem to be all smooth, and I've tried putting pencil lead etc in the nut slots, but nothing changes. When I change strings I always stretch and retune etc. Could it be my saddles? They are some T.O.M roller saddles from WD Music Products. I was thinkin about replacing them with Graphtechs.

Cheers for any help!

[rinse_master]

If you have grovers you could try tigtening up the little screw on to of the button (not sure if that is the correct name, you know the bit you turn to tune...) other than that you have checked everything I would think of.

[Gary]

Are the saddles actually moving? If so I expect the intonation would go out as well. If the strings are binding on them perhaps a look through a good magnifying glass to check for smoothness and a tiny dab of vaseline might do the job.

Just a thought but we've been having some very changeable weather in London recently and it's affected my guitars, although not so bad as yours seems to be.

Another thing to think about is that I go through phases of being very sensitive to tuning when nothing on the guitar sounds right.

[_tom_]

Are the saddles actually moving? If so I expect the intonation would go out as well. If the strings are binding on them perhaps a look through a good magnifying glass to check for smoothness and a tiny dab of vaseline might do the job.

Just a thought but we've been having some very changeable weather in London recently and it's affected my guitars, although not so bad as yours seems to be.

Another thing to think about is that I go through phases of being very sensitive to tuning when nothing on the guitar sounds right.

hmm yeah I go thru them phases sometimes haha its weird. The saddles do actually move side to side a bit, coz there not a custom fit for this bridge. Rinse_master, I tried tightening those screws but it didnt seem to help much. Thinkin that maybe I should get some Gaphtech saddles?

[indysmith]

thought it was just me with the phases! yay- phase brothers

[chrisola]

happened with my new Gibson LP Classic.

solution: sell it!




or

take it to a tech for a setup :)

[38thBeatle]

Stupid question coming up, are they old strings? Does this happen with them after a while or all times- even when you have new strings. My Nephew was complaining of his guitar intonation being out. When I checked his guitar the strings were months old and totally manky. Changed them, stretched them and it was back to normal.
I am assuming you have eliminated the old string syndrome but thought I'd ask just in case.

[indysmith]

lol, i'm guilty of NEVER replacing strings. i tend to wait til i break em before they get changed, LOL. i love putting new ones on (like once a year)because it makes guitar sound like 100xbetter

[_tom_]

lol, i'm guilty of NEVER replacing strings. i tend to wait til i break em before they get changed, LOL. i love putting new ones on (like once a year)because it makes guitar sound like 100xbetter

same here, I always leave them on till they break! Its never really been a problem before, in my 5 years of playing  :lol:

[PhilKing]

Another thing to check is if you change string gauges, especially if you are only replacing one string at a time.  When you replace the strings, do you use the same type and check the intonation?  Also, whatever you do, don't adjust the intonation with old strings.  You have to have a new set for consistency.

[_tom_]

Another thing to check is if you change string gauges, especially if you are only replacing one string at a time.  When you replace the strings, do you use the same type and check the intonation?  Also, whatever you do, don't adjust the intonation with old strings.  You have to have a new set for consistency.

Yeah I always use the same strings, D'addario 11s. I admit to not checking the intonation each time I change strings though.

I'm learning to play Miracle Man by Ozzy, earlier I bent the B string totally out of tune for that note at the end of the solo, I dunno how many tones I took it up but it was a lot, loads of fast vibrato aswell  :twisted:

[Drac]

Ye know strings on a guitar are a bit like tires on a race car-
perhaps the single most dramatic improvement you can make  on the sound quality of an instrument  that is ALREADY in fine working order w/out handing it to someone that plays better than yourself...

  If you play alot, they cheese up, fret welt, and oxidise noticeably...

-if ye don't play so much,  time will eat 'em up anyway, but you won't notice over time, like all of the sudden, your puppy is a yard high,...
-Fresh strings rock!-old strings suck!-What the hell is going on?!

-how can you fuss over good tone, & skip over fresh strings!?!-
-I need to lie down...

[Tim]

Quoted sting life is a little as 9hours so always change as often as you can afford it, keep them clean after use too.

[_tom_]

Quoted sting life is a little as 9hours so always change as often as you can afford it, keep them clean after use too.

hmm I cant afford changing strings that regularly thats why I always leave em till they break haha. I do wipe em down after I play though, and use "Kyser Dr Stringfellow" cleaner every so often..

[Gary]

I always wash my hands before picking up the guitar (although some of the venues I play it's questionable whether they come out any cleaner). I also use GHS fast fret after playing. Surprisingly it doesn't make you play any faster(!) but it definately extends the usable life of your strings - by usable I mean home practice and rehearsals. For gigs and recording I put on a new set each time without fail. Other than that, probably once a month. I buy them in bulk (ten at a time) which works out about £3.60 a set.