Tele holding tune problems

[Jim]

Hey everyone,
I have a '08 MIM Tele Standard, and I love it. The strings on there atm are great, i'm going to find out the gauges, because the G and B strings will bend 1 1/2 steps without even worrying about it. And I use that, a lot. But they tend to lose tuning after a few bends, and the high E will lose it after one good bend. I've heard this could be a nut problem or a bridge problem, and I even saw a diagram of how to string it so the strings are locked, but what do you suggest?

Thanks
cheers

 

[Jim]

A)I just bought it and the stock strings are on it (I bought it used so not stock I guess)
B and C) What should it be and what could be a problem?
D) Whats a string tree?
E)Again, strings that came on it.

 

[The Refugee]

First I'd say replace the old strings. Then come back after a day or two of letting them settle in (after you stretch them) and tell us if you still have the problem.

 

[Jim]

On it.

 

[coldsteal2]

yea i was going to say, string gauge, if you have heavy
guage that can happen if the strings are too big for the
slots to move smoothly

 

[Jim]

Alright well the only set I have is 12-15-24-32-42-52s... them's heavy strings... we'll see how it turns out...

 

[Pinkie]

Go with 9's or 10's on a tele the 12-52's will deff make the problem worse if you don't correct the nut. Binding in the nut slots is a common thing so check those too.Cleaning them out and lube is a great idea too.

 

[Jim]

Will the 12's hurt the nut? They're only temporary, if I hadn't cut the previous set I would put them back on but the 12s are on there now...

 

[Dave1968]

This may be of help to you:

Telecaster Setup

 

[Jim]

thanks! that is helpful. I'm just worried that the 12's damage my guitar, and I hope that isn't the case. If so, i'll get some skinny top heavy bottoms, because that's the only one i can *facepalm*

 

[snaredrum]

look out for the dreaded 'ping' noise when tuning. that shows your nut isn't coping with the strings.

 

[Jim]

Yes, the 12's can/have-already damage(d) the nut. This is not a big deal, if you like 12s, as you're going to have to setup the nut for your 12s.

Somebody told me it looks like it was already setup for them as the string is completely in the nut slot. Thoughts?

 

[GibsonMarshallGuy]

I think you may not know what your doing from the looks of it. I mean, you can keep messing around until you get it, but if you want it right take it to a luthier and ask him to show you how to do it.

 

[AngryHatter]

 

[TerribleRacket]

I agree with the others that it sounds like your nut needs some work.

This suggestion isn't a substitute for getting your nut right, but I've used it for years to add a bit of extra margin for error. Chapstick, believe it or not, is a great nut lube and it does help to maintain tuning stability when you're playing lots of bends.

 

[Batman]

Pencil graphite works very well. Color in the nut slot with a pencil, wipe any excess off the top of the nut then restring.

 

[Jim]

Alright, I think i'll try the graphite thing. Time to take the strings off for the 3rd time xD

 

[snaredrum]

Alright, I think i'll try the graphite thing. Time to take the strings off for the 3rd time xD

just loosen them, man

 

[sollophonic]

I have two MIM Teles that I gig with.

I rarely need to tune them, maybe just the odd string needing a tweak. They get transported in gig bags, from hot to cold, I bend strings, heck some songs I hit the strings hard too.

They are solid as a rock, more so than any other guitars I own.

My recipe for a soild tuned Tele.

1) Heavier strings than you might normally use, maybe a gauge thicker. I use 11s.
2) Stretch the strings when you put them on. Tune them up, then pull them away from the fretboard, to put them out of tune, tune them up again. Repeat till this pulling of strings no longer puts them out of tune.
3) Make sure nut slots and string trees are not snagging the strings, mind you MIM Teles only have one string tree which is on the top two anyway.
4) Replace strings fairly regularly, or if you cant do that, wipe down the strings after playing. Stops them getting gunged up.

A Tele should stay in tune, even when doing serious string bending, its one of the reasons it got adopted by country players in the early days.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Lubricate the nut slots. If you have conventional string trees, replace them with roller-trees, if you cannot dispense with them entirely.