How to improve tuning stability on a strat?

[Jim]

Hey guys,

I'm having a bit of trouble with my new strat.

Whenever I palm mute or do a big bend, it throws my tuning out of whack. Also, whenever I use the tremolo arm when a note is fretted, the string in which the note was fretted on goes out of tune, but all the open strings stay in tune.

I've concluded that this is a problem with the bridge, and was wondering what I could do to fix this.

I was thinking about adding 2 more springs anyway and my teacher suggested that that may help.

Any other ideas?

Thanks
cheers

[AbbeSauniere]

I prefer to keep it flat against the body. I think it loses note definition and balls when it floats. I don't use the bar much though. Only for very subtle use. Never have tuning issues.

You can try Carl Verheyen's method. There's been a lot of arguments concerning the mechanics of how and why it works, but it does work. I tried it, but I hated the tone.

Properly cut nut slots, lubrication of the slots, trees and saddles also goes a long way.

Carl Verheyen: Whammy Bar Setup Secrets - YouTube

Carl Verheyen: Whammy Bar Setup Secrets - YouTube

[Jim]

Thanks man, i'm gonna try that. Any other ideas?

[Jim]

That method did nothing. I angled the claw, intonated perfectly, played a G chord and used the whammy bar to bring the pitch up. Not only did they all go up 1/2 step, not the staggered values as mentioned in the video, but the chord immediately went out of tune.

[SGMM]

As was previously mentioned: properly cut nut slots....lubricating the nut slots string tree & saddles....that's where I'd start Jim!!

Also the trem block could be rubbing against the side of the trem cavity!!

[Jim]

Any household methods to lubricate those?

How would I check for the trem block rubbing up?

[Matt_21]

Lots of people use graphite from pencils to lubricate.

[SGMM]

Yup....pencil lead dust in the nut slots works great (but some folks don't like the way it looks - grey nut slots) !!


To check the trem block....take off the trem cavity cover & move the trem bar....check for the trem block making contact w/the side(s) of the cavity!!


Also....do you hear any "pings" when tuning or using the trem??

[Jim]

VERY rarely, I think i've heard 2 pings, both coming from the bridge.

[SGMM]

New guitar?? Have you checked to make sure the strings are thoroughly stretched??

Most tuning issues are caused by improperly cut nut slots....maybe want to have a trusted tech look @ that!!

Also....check the trem mounting screws....a common set-up is: the two screws under the E strings should be tight but not overtight....back off the two screws under the A & B strings 1/2 a turn....& back off the two under the D & G strings 3/4 a turn!!

[Scott_UK]

I'm pretty convinced the nut needs a bit of lube! Any oil based lube will do. I've even heard guys using a small splodge of Vaseline. I got some lube from my local music shop, which I drip onto the nut with a cocktail stick.

Oh, don't forget to lube the string tree(s) too.

Hope this works!

[Jim]

I used graphite. I'll check the trem mounting springs.

[5F6-A]

Some of the things I´ve found when putting together my ´5461´ Strat is that playability and stability is in the set up.

I like more or less straight necks (little relief) with medium action with no buzzes and pure tone.

That is why, with this guitar, I set the neck relief at 0.008" -measured at the 7th fret- whilst the action (low E) at the 17th fret is about 3/32", making it a tiny bit higher than the figure recommended by Fender for 7-25" radius guitars.
I HATE fret buzz so I´m happy having a little bit higher action which frees me from any annoying fret rattle. Besides it helps to obtain a purer, fuller tone.

The pickups are set where I can hear them sounding at their best. I guess that is what people refer as the pickup´s sweetspot. Pressing on the last fret, the distance between the bottom of the string and the pole piece for both neck and bridge pickup is 3/32", almost the same figure recommended by Fender. I slant my pickups so the high E side is roughly 1/32" higher than the low E side.

To get the quackiest sound in postions 2 and 4 I set the middle pickup a tiny bit lower than std; with that setting I can get very, very close to what John Mayer describes as "the 4th position pickup from Heaven"

BTW, 3/32" seems like a magic number for vintage style Strats; it´s what the gap between the plate of the bridge and the top of the guitar should be, a "great sounding" action and also perfect for pickup height. Nice!

[CHUNKYNECK]

You could make some home made nut sauce by mixing vasoline and graphite form a soft led pencil. I use big bends nut sauce on all my guitars. My strat with floating vintage trem is only second to my tele as far as tuning stability goes. That's with 3 trem springs and using 10s. Lube the saddles, nut and string tree. If this doesn't do the trick put it in for a decent setup.

[FLICKOFLASH]

How to keep your Strat tremolo in tune. Frudua Way - www.frudua.com - YouTube

How to keep your Strat tremolo in tune. Frudua Way - www.frudua.com - YouTube

[upl8tr]

Originally Posted by SGMM

New guitar?? Have you checked to make sure the strings are thoroughly stretched??

Listen to this man, ^ don't do anything before checking out those new strings aren't the issue.

[Jim]

Originally Posted by upl8tr

Listen to this man, ^ don't do anything before checking out those new strings aren't the issue.

The guitar was used but it appeared to have new strings on it, no grime or blackness or anything....

...hand's down the loosest, best strings i've ever played. REALLY want to find out what they were.

I also did some excessive bending by just holding the trem bar down for a few seconds and then lifting.

Hopefully they're pretty stretched.

[SexyGibson]

Originally Posted by upl8tr

Listen to this man, ^ don't do anything before checking out those new strings aren't the issue.

Exactly. Sometimes just going up in string gauge can solve the problem.

[Jim]

Originally Posted by SexyGibson

Exactly. Sometimes just going up in string gauge can solve the problem.

What is a good gauge to stay in tune?

[mudfinger]

Don't take this wrong way, Jim, but you're a good candidate for a Floyd Rose.

[Jim]

I combined the two aforementioned methods, and it worked stunningly well!

[jcsk8]

Most problems are on the nut. Properly cut nut will help a lot. Also lubrification in the saddles, nut, string trees and well instaled, streched strings on the post will help too.

[mudfinger]

Originally Posted by jcsk8

Most problems are on the nut. Properly cut nut will help a lot. Also lubrification in the saddles, nut, string trees and well instaled, streched strings on the post will help too.

I disagree. Most problems with tuning stability on Stratocasters are the result of operator error.

[SexyGibson]

Originally Posted by Jim

What is a good gauge to stay in tune?

If you use the trem alot I would at least use 11s. SRV used 13s but I seriously doubt that I could play with that heavy of a string gauge.

[Who]

The guitar came with .09s from the factory. Unless it has been modded, any other size is more likely to bind at the nut.

Jim, with the solution that worked for you, what steps did you take? I go with the method Flickoflash posted. I also like Frudua's video on the Floyd Rose.

[PNB92]

lubricate the hell out of every contact point, stretch your strings, learn how to "lock" your strings when restringing, and then in case you don't really use the vibrato arm very much, just put 5 springs in the back so it can't move easily and keeps it flush with the body.

Originally Posted by 5F6-A

To get the quackiest sound in postions 2 and 4 I set the middle pickup a tiny bit lower than std; with that setting I can get very, very close to what John Mayer describes as "the 4th position pickup from Heaven"

I'm glad you brought this up. speaking of quacky strats, how's your 2nd position sound with the middle pickup lowered a little? can it get you anywhere near this:

You Tube

You Tube

I consider that gold leaf 'Vultures' strat to be the quackiest sounding strat i've ever heard. Really strange, hollowed out, out of phase sounding guitar, i love it.

[Ledheadforlife]

[Who]

You forgot the locking nut.

[56GT]

a new graphite nut and properly stretched new strings is the answer. locking tuners help, but not necessary if you know how to string a guitar properly.