Trouble staying in tune

[SpinWheelz]

Before I go replacing bits and pieces, I thought I'd ask here first about potentially better ways to keep my Les Paul in tune.

I've got a Vintage Mahogany Studio. Pretty much everything's stock on it. Far as I can tell, the intonation's set correctly. I use DR Blues all-nickel strings (.10s, for what it's worth). I top-wrap my tailpiece because I can't get the strings to clear the rear edge of the bridge otherwise. I use chapstick on the nut when I replace the strings. And when I wrap the string around the tuner shaft, a) I do that reverse-wind thing that kinda "locks" the string in the place, and b) the low strings make about 3 turns around the shaft and the high strings make about 6 turns around the shaft. The guitar sports these stock Gibson Deluxe kluson-style tuners.

When I bend the strings - typically the G and B strings - they tend to go out of tune right away. And these two strings continue to *ping* when I tune up, despite the chapstick. And it's driving me mental.

Tips/tricks? Cheers.

 

[Mike-t]

If it still pings try actual nut lube or graphite from a pencil.

 

[BluesLover]

It sounds to me like your tuners are just old and they need to be replaced. When you tune your guitar does the tuner get sticky/hard to turn, and then ease up all of the sudden? The teeth on the gears in your tuners might be wearing away.

 

[River]

I did this after chapstick didn't cut it. Pings all gone.
http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/gibson-les-pauls/26095-how-lube-nut-using-2-lead.html#post453536

 

[Last]

Yep, try using graphite or nut sauce.

 

[Basura_Ka]

i have the the same exact problem. G and B strings keep on detuning when bending. I have a traditional. The intonation is perfect, though.

 

[Mr Insane]

I have a problem with the G staying in tune a lot.

 

[Sinmastah]

It's because your strings bind, and thus there is a difference in between before the nut and after, thus when you bend, it forces the tension to be equal, thus you generally go flat.

 

[Basura_Ka]

i have the the same exact problem. G and B strings keep on detuning when bending. I have a traditional. The intonation is perfect, though.

 

[Darkburst]

This is a common Gibson issue. The slots in the nut need to be lubed or filed correctly. It's pretty easy to fix and has nothing to do with the tuners.

 

[Machine Man]

If it still pings try actual nut lube or graphite from a pencil.

Yep, try using graphite or nut sauce.

I'll bet your nut is the culprit. If you use some graphite and you can still hear that "ping" noise while you are tuning, I would change the "reverse-wind thing" you mentioned to "traditional wind". That could be introducing additional friction between the string and the nut.

One more thing, while tuning, if you go sharp, de-tune flat, stretch the sting (this will pull it back through the nut), then tune "up" to the tone you are seeking.

I have a 2007 standard with crappy tuning machines. The Low E string tuner has about 1/16th turn of slop. Even with the bad tuner, I can still tune up and stay in tune for days.

b.

 

[SpinWheelz]

OK, so I don't have a nut file, and quite frankly, I'm terrified of trying to file the nut and bollocksing up the job by filing too deep or what not. I will definitely try the pencil shavings trick, but I've read some tips about using a pencil shavings-plus-vaseline compound. Is that too much of a good thing, or is that a case of 1+1=3?

 

[pomponio]

Before I go replacing bits and pieces, I thought I'd ask here first about potentially better ways to keep my Les Paul in tune.

I've got a Vintage Mahogany Studio. Pretty much everything's stock on it. Far as I can tell, the intonation's set correctly. I use DR Blues all-nickel strings (.10s, for what it's worth). I top-wrap my tailpiece because I can't get the strings to clear the rear edge of the bridge otherwise. I use chapstick on the nut when I replace the strings. And when I wrap the string around the tuner shaft, a) I do that reverse-wind thing that kinda "locks" the string in the place, and b) the low strings make about 3 turns around the shaft and the high strings make about 6 turns around the shaft. The guitar sports these stock Gibson Deluxe kluson-style tuners.

When I bend the strings - typically the G and B strings - they tend to go out of tune right away. And these two strings continue to *ping* when I tune up, despite the chapstick. And it's driving me mental.

Tips/tricks? Cheers.

Every time a re-string my guitars I stretch the strings until they don't fall out of tune anymore, try this the next time

"Initially, this new string may have trouble staying in tune. You can help correct this problem by stretching out the new string. Grab the string, and pull it approximately one inch away from the surface of the guitar. The pitch of the string will probably have dropped. Re-tune the string, then repeat the process, until the string no longer falls out of tune."


I Hope this helps!!!!

 

[Mike-t]

OK, so I don't have a nut file, and quite frankly, I'm terrified of trying to file the nut and bollocksing up the job by filing too deep or what not. I will definitely try the pencil shavings trick, but I've read some tips about using a pencil shavings-plus-vaseline compound. Is that too much of a good thing, or is that a case of 1+1=3?

Umm... you should ok with just the graphite and will be able to save your lube for other adventures . Just pick up refill tube for mechanical pencils. It should be well under a dollar for enough graphite to last the rest of your life.

 

[ehamady6]

Uncle Bend's Nut Sauce is great stuff. I apply some when I do a thorough cleaning of my Custom every month or so. I found that my Grover locking tuners in conjunction with my TonePros locking tailpiece and locking bridge keeps my Custom in tune even after the most vicious string bends. The locking Grovers only require 1 wrap or less around the tuning posts so there's no slipping. Installing locking Grovers (Stewart-MacDonald) was one of the best mods I've ever made.

.

 

[WahChickaWahWah]

Yeah, sounds like you need to put some graphite on there, but if you've got a few bucks to spare, I'd definitely recommend switching to a set of Grovers anyway. Just my $.02

 

[dynabite]

The locking Grovers only require 1 wrap or less around the tuning posts so there's no slipping. Installing locking Grovers

I do that with regular posts, slip the string through the post eye and kink it hard the opposite way the post is turning allowing for 1 wrap or less. But since there's no give at the post , the ball end on the tail unwinds more causing my high E to break a couple times but is ok now. Has never slipped at post but if not done right it will. Be nice to have a locking tail because they slip there too.

 

[RetropM]

I replace the tuners and the nut on almost every guitar I own, especially Gibsons for this very reason. The only exception was my ESP Eclipse which was amazing with the stock tuners and nut.

 

[eixid]

I've had this problem also. I used an old wound string like a nut file works great. Easy fix.

 

[dork5002002]

As others have said, if graphite doesn't work, seriously consider altering or changing your nut. The tuners could also be loose. One of my fenders needs the screws on a couple tuners tightened every now-n-then or the tuner sort of slips.