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Author Topic: Tuning Instability  (Read 2235 times)

plastercaster

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Tuning Instability
« on: September 05, 2006, 04:54:44 PM »
my poor old strat has been sitting neglected for a time now, partly because the frets are worn, but largely because every time I use the whammy bar it goes noticably out of tune, even if the strings have been 'bedded in'. How should I sort this? I wanted to give it locking tuners, a graphite nut and a Gotoh-Wilkinson tremolo, but I cant find a 6-hole version of it, which i would need because I dont want to cut chunks of wood out of my guitar. Ive seen it on the gotoh site, but I cant find a gotoh dealer or a shop that sells them. do any of you guys know where I could get one, what would be a good alternative trem?
Thanks,
Bob
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Antag

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Tuning Instability
« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2006, 06:32:04 PM »
IMO the vast majority of tuning problems come from the nut.

You can start by lubricating the slots with a soft lead pencil (about 70p from an arts/crafts shop), or use a specialist product such as Big Bends Nut Sauce (I've heard of people using things like Triflow liquid teflon, WD40 etc but it could get a bit messy and/or damage the finish)

If no joy, get a repairman to recut the slots and/or replace the nut - still a fairly cheap/easy thing to do.  For a strat you also have the option of the LSR roller nut (about £40 +fitting) but be aware that you won't be able to go back as the slot needs to be widened slightly to accomodate it.

Only then would I consider swapping out the trem and/or machineheads - of all the guitars I've owned I've only ever had one where the machineheads were part of the problem.
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Antag

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Tuning Instability
« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2006, 06:42:54 PM »
Quote from: Antag
I've only ever had one where the machineheads were part of the problem.


Well, two actually, but "first guitars" (in this case a Marlin Sidewinder) don't count! :lol:
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hunter

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Tuning Instability
« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2006, 08:19:28 PM »
don't forget the bridge, the screws could be too tight or not aligned or spring tension too weak ...
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HTH AMPS

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Tuning Instability
« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2006, 08:29:08 PM »
The bridge setup is also important - have the outer two bridge screws a half turn from flush then have the inner bridge screws a full turn slacker.

Getting the bridge floating slightly will help rather than having it solid against the body.

Heavier strings help too - I had decent tuning stability with 11s even with Hendrix style divebombs.

 :twisted:
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