New Epi won't stay in tune

Gunnysmiles · 05-23-2008, 07:58 PM

Got a new Ebony Standard Les Paul and Love it However after putting my Daddario XL's on it the G string will not stay tuned AT ALL. Not sure if original strings did same thing because I took them off immediatly. Any ideas? IS this common?

dennistruckdriver · 05-23-2008, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunnysmiles

Got a new Ebony Standard Les Paul and Love it However after putting my Daddario XL's on it the G string will not stay tuned AT ALL. Not sure if original strings did same thing because I took them off immediatly. Any ideas? IS this common?

Most likely the nut. Make sure the string is not binding. Lube it with a drop of oil.
You also need to stretch the strings after you install them, and give them time to take their 'set'.

Gunnysmiles · 05-23-2008, 08:34 PM

They are "set" but I will try the oil trickl- what kind of oil should I use?

prsman · 05-23-2008, 08:49 PM

Try a little graphite. Take a sharp pencil and clean up after you are done. This usually does the trick.

ZoomZilla · 05-23-2008, 09:31 PM

I use graphite. Not sure on the oil thing. Maybe it will work, who knows. Just pick up a tube of graphite and you should be set. I use the Beefy Slinky's and I will tell you, they BARELY fit in the nut, but they never go out of tune.

Scooter2112 · 05-23-2008, 10:23 PM

It was either Greg or Roman that recommended Chapstick on another thread.

I tried it on both the bridge and nut last time I restrung and it works great. I had problems with the G and B string not staying in tune for very long, and a little buzzing at the bridge and that cleared it up. I have to retune very seldom now.

Oil might work short term, but I think you'd be better off using something that has a pasty consistency, rather than liquid. Chapstick, vaseline, silicone grease, teflon grease.....that sort of thing.

-Ninja- · 05-23-2008, 10:28 PM

I just made a post about this myself. I wanted to know what these guys thought about it. I think it is normal, but I think it can be fixed by filing the nut a little in a certain spot. I haven't had the time to try it yet, but I am pretty sure it will work. I am definitely going to do it this weekend so I will keep you posted.

If you want to read through my post here it is.

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/epiphone-les-pauls/10636-epi-standard-g-string.html

diceman · 05-23-2008, 10:29 PM

I've heard nothing but good things about "Big Bends Nut Sauce" - but haven't used it yet... I have tried Graphite - which works well enough for me. My #1 and #2 have well cut bone nuts, and I haven't had any issues with mine that I've had to resolve as of yet, though...

Lester B. Flat · 05-23-2008, 10:30 PM

I use graphite but there is a product called Nut Sauce that is supposed to work great.

diceman · 05-23-2008, 10:40 PM

I was reading your mind Lester...

Weldaar · 05-23-2008, 10:41 PM

Don't spend a lot of your hard earned money on products you don't need. Get yourself a #2 pencil and color the nut slot with it. Graphite is what a pencil lead actually is.
Make sure you lock your strings when you install them. Then when you get some extra cash, get rid of those crappy tuners Gibson and Epiphone use on their guitars.
This just my opinion, I could be wrong.

-Ninja- · 05-23-2008, 11:18 PM

I thought the Grover tuners that came stock on the Epi's were supposed to be good...

No???

diceman · 05-23-2008, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Ninja-

I thought the Grover tuners that came stock on the Epi's were supposed to be good...

No???

They're not terrible... Not top of the line, either. Overall they're pretty decent, and at least as high quality as the rest of the Epi hardware. The upgrade wouldn't hurt, though. I haven't had any problems with mine - and if it ain't broke, I don't fix it!

Bucknasty · 05-23-2008, 11:32 PM

What brand of tunners did you put on yours diceman?

diceman · 05-23-2008, 11:39 PM

Stock Grovers for me!

Eminor · 05-24-2008, 05:09 AM

IME Grovers are great tuners, worst thing that happens is the adjustment screw loosens off over time and then you just snug it up a bit. Even cheaper tuners (Ping, for example) seem to work pretty well...any tuning problem I've ever had was down to the nut. That "almost in tune, then pulls sharp" syndrome just screams nut issue. JMO

Nils · 05-24-2008, 05:26 AM

all my electrics have had G string trouble, even my crappy strat
The most tuning problems occurred to me when the guitars were new so now they stay in tune much longer

I put some graphite in the nut of my Epi LP and it worked out fine, even though I didn't have much trouble with it, but now I kind of don't have the G string problem anymore

and I think the stock grovers are good enough

Weldaar · 05-24-2008, 07:53 AM

I could be wrong on the tuners. I know the ones on my Epi and LPGT weren't that good. The best way to tell is when the strings are off, see how much slop is in the shaft that holds the string. If it has play in it, I would make a change.

However graphite in the nut is always a must. Remember, #2 pencil.

Gunnysmiles · 05-24-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Ninja-

I thought the Grover tuners that came stock on the Epi's were supposed to be good...

No???

Yeah my Epi has nice Grover Tuners that have no slack in them at all.

Gunnysmiles · 05-24-2008, 09:45 AM

Thanks for all your help- tried the pencil thing and I'll let you know how it goes!

Weldaar · 05-24-2008, 09:58 AM

No slop in the shaft is good. They must have improved the Epi's a lot in 4 years. My 04 Epi had some real flimsy ones. The graphite in the nut should help you out.
BTW, I have Grovers in all of my guitars. I have the Deluxe ones.

dennistruckdriver · 05-24-2008, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunnysmiles

They are "set" but I will try the oil trickl- what kind of oil should I use?

I got this:

at Harbor Freight. Works fine. You can use a drop of just about any kind of oil. I have even used a drop of fresh, clean motor oil. Drip it right on the string at the nut, let it soak in around the string, then wipe off any excess left on the nut.

dennistruckdriver · 05-24-2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scooter2112

Chapstick,.....that sort of thing.

Not a bad idea......Keeps your nut from getting windburned at the same time! I hate windburned nuts!

Scooter2112 · 05-24-2008, 12:37 PM

Yeah....well when all your nut sauce dries up, windchapping is soon to follow.

"Don't allow your nuts to get chapped and windburned....protect them from all sunlight" - Public Service Announcement, brought to you by the fine folks at Hanes Briefs.

diceman · 05-24-2008, 12:38 PM

You guys are killing me!

Weldaar · 05-24-2008, 01:13 PM

dennistruckdriver · 05-24-2008, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scooter2112

Yeah....well when all your nut sauce dries up, windchapping is soon to follow.

I hate dried up nut sauce too.

Lester B. Flat · 05-24-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eminor

...any tuning problem I've ever had was down to the nut. That "almost in tune, then pulls sharp" syndrome just screams nut issue. JMO

Yeah, tuners are number three on the list behind sticky nuts and wobbling bridges. The tuner manufacturers get both blamed and do a whopping business off poorly cut or lubricated nuts!

Weldaar · 05-24-2008, 01:47 PM

Exactly. Always good to keep your nuts lubricated.

Scooter2112 · 05-24-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Exactly. Always good to keep your nuts lubricated.

My wife always yells at me for that.

But hey.....they're MY nuts, right?

05-23-2008, 07:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gunnysmiles Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New Epi won't stay in tune Got a new Ebony Standard Les Paul and Love it However after putting my Daddario XL's on it the G string will not stay tuned AT ALL. Not sure if original strings did same thing because I took them off immediatly. Any ideas? IS this common?

05-23-2008, 08:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gunnysmiles Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune They are "set" but I will try the oil trickl- what kind of oil should I use?

05-23-2008, 08:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
prsman Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Seoul Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune Try a little graphite. Take a sharp pencil and clean up after you are done. This usually does the trick.

05-23-2008, 09:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
ZoomZilla V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The OB Posts: 2,571 Thanks: 37 Thanked 38 Times in 9 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune I use graphite. Not sure on the oil thing. Maybe it will work, who knows. Just pick up a tube of graphite and you should be set. I use the Beefy Slinky's and I will tell you, they BARELY fit in the nut, but they never go out of tune.

05-23-2008, 10:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
Scooter2112 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 2,875 Thanks: 28 Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune It was either Greg or Roman that recommended Chapstick on another thread. I tried it on both the bridge and nut last time I restrung and it works great. I had problems with the G and B string not staying in tune for very long, and a little buzzing at the bridge and that cleared it up. I have to retune very seldom now. Oil might work short term, but I think you'd be better off using something that has a pasty consistency, rather than liquid. Chapstick, vaseline, silicone grease, teflon grease.....that sort of thing. __________________ "Have you hugged your Custom today?" the CS Customs make the Standards sound like a plastic banjo with a live cat stapled to the back! - Hemply, 2009

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05-23-2008, 10:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
-Ninja- Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mass. Posts: 283 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune I just made a post about this myself. I wanted to know what these guys thought about it. I think it is normal, but I think it can be fixed by filing the nut a little in a certain spot. I haven't had the time to try it yet, but I am pretty sure it will work. I am definitely going to do it this weekend so I will keep you posted. If you want to read through my post here it is. http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/epiphone-les-pauls/10636-epi-standard-g-string.html

05-23-2008, 10:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 16,282 Thanks: 305 Thanked 87 Times in 32 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune I've heard nothing but good things about "Big Bends Nut Sauce" - but haven't used it yet... I have tried Graphite - which works well enough for me. My #1 and #2 have well cut bone nuts, and I haven't had any issues with mine that I've had to resolve as of yet, though... __________________ My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

05-23-2008, 10:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
Lester B. Flat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 176 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune I use graphite but there is a product called Nut Sauce that is supposed to work great.

05-23-2008, 10:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 16,282 Thanks: 305 Thanked 87 Times in 32 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune I was reading your mind Lester... __________________ My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

05-23-2008, 10:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
Weldaar V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 1,481 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune Don't spend a lot of your hard earned money on products you don't need. Get yourself a #2 pencil and color the nut slot with it. Graphite is what a pencil lead actually is. Make sure you lock your strings when you install them. Then when you get some extra cash, get rid of those crappy tuners Gibson and Epiphone use on their guitars. This just my opinion, I could be wrong. __________________ Remember this simple truth: Satan will always seek to drive you away from the cross, but the Holy Spirit will always draw you back to the cross. Trust in Christ.

05-23-2008, 11:18 PM	#12 (permalink)
-Ninja- Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mass. Posts: 283 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune I thought the Grover tuners that came stock on the Epi's were supposed to be good... No???

05-23-2008, 11:32 PM	#14 (permalink)
Bucknasty Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Charleston, SC. Posts: 147 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune What brand of tunners did you put on yours diceman?

05-23-2008, 11:39 PM	#15 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 16,282 Thanks: 305 Thanked 87 Times in 32 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune Stock Grovers for me! __________________ My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

05-24-2008, 05:09 AM	#16 (permalink)
Eminor Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 28 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune IME Grovers are great tuners, worst thing that happens is the adjustment screw loosens off over time and then you just snug it up a bit. Even cheaper tuners (Ping, for example) seem to work pretty well...any tuning problem I've ever had was down to the nut. That "almost in tune, then pulls sharp" syndrome just screams nut issue. JMO

05-24-2008, 05:26 AM	#17 (permalink)
Nils Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Heerhugowaard, N-H, Netherlands Posts: 397 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune all my electrics have had G string trouble, even my crappy strat The most tuning problems occurred to me when the guitars were new so now they stay in tune much longer I put some graphite in the nut of my Epi LP and it worked out fine, even though I didn't have much trouble with it, but now I kind of don't have the G string problem anymore and I think the stock grovers are good enough __________________ 2007 Epiphone Les Paul Std HCS (Irongear Hot Slag pickups + Spague Orange Drops + new wiring) 2006 J&D LS-1 CS (Epiphone pickups + Sprague Orange Drops) 2009 Fender CD-60CE BLK 2005 Behringer Strat Starter wreck (in parts, refinishing it some day) (u/s) Old cracked nylon acoustic (u/s) Fame T64RS Tube Behringer GM108 Boss OS-2

05-24-2008, 07:53 AM	#18 (permalink)
Weldaar V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 1,481 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune I could be wrong on the tuners. I know the ones on my Epi and LPGT weren't that good. The best way to tell is when the strings are off, see how much slop is in the shaft that holds the string. If it has play in it, I would make a change. However graphite in the nut is always a must. Remember, #2 pencil. __________________ Remember this simple truth: Satan will always seek to drive you away from the cross, but the Holy Spirit will always draw you back to the cross. Trust in Christ.

05-24-2008, 09:45 AM	#20 (permalink)
Gunnysmiles Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune Thanks for all your help- tried the pencil thing and I'll let you know how it goes!

05-24-2008, 09:58 AM	#21 (permalink)
Weldaar V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 1,481 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune No slop in the shaft is good. They must have improved the Epi's a lot in 4 years. My 04 Epi had some real flimsy ones. The graphite in the nut should help you out. BTW, I have Grovers in all of my guitars. I have the Deluxe ones. __________________ Remember this simple truth: Satan will always seek to drive you away from the cross, but the Holy Spirit will always draw you back to the cross. Trust in Christ.

05-24-2008, 12:37 PM	#24 (permalink)
Scooter2112 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 2,875 Thanks: 28 Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune Yeah....well when all your nut sauce dries up, windchapping is soon to follow. "Don't allow your nuts to get chapped and windburned....protect them from all sunlight" - Public Service Announcement, brought to you by the fine folks at Hanes Briefs. __________________ "Have you hugged your Custom today?" the CS Customs make the Standards sound like a plastic banjo with a live cat stapled to the back! - Hemply, 2009

05-24-2008, 12:38 PM	#25 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 16,282 Thanks: 305 Thanked 87 Times in 32 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune You guys are killing me! __________________ My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

05-24-2008, 01:13 PM	#26 (permalink)
Weldaar V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 1,481 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune __________________ Remember this simple truth: Satan will always seek to drive you away from the cross, but the Holy Spirit will always draw you back to the cross. Trust in Christ.

05-24-2008, 01:47 PM	#29 (permalink)
Weldaar V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 1,481 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Re: New Epi won't stay in tune Exactly. Always good to keep your nuts lubricated. __________________ Remember this simple truth: Satan will always seek to drive you away from the cross, but the Holy Spirit will always draw you back to the cross. Trust in Christ.

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