'04 MIM Strat - Upgrading tuners?
- Thread starter deolexrex
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FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: '04 MIM Strat - Upgrading tuners?
when you tune do you ever hear a metallic "ping!" from the nut area? In my experience the tuning problems on a MIM strat can often be traced to the string binding in the nut, and the tuners are fine.
Getting the nut worked on or replaced and putting some graphite lubricant on the bridge saddles, the nut, and string trees, combined with any of the "string tying" methods of installing and wrapping a string around the post, should greatly improve the tuning stability.
when you tune do you ever hear a metallic "ping!" from the nut area? In my experience the tuning problems on a MIM strat can often be traced to the string binding in the nut, and the tuners are fine.
Getting the nut worked on or replaced and putting some graphite lubricant on the bridge saddles, the nut, and string trees, combined with any of the "string tying" methods of installing and wrapping a string around the post, should greatly improve the tuning stability.
Jocelyn
New member
dominus
King Midas to Cheap Guitars
Re: '04 MIM Strat - Upgrading tuners?
I disagree. All that does is make the strings more susceptible to breaking at the peg, and makes it harder to change them. They'll still go out of tune from stretching when they're new. Once they're properly stretched (I just do it with time, rather than any artificial methods), they hold tune just fine.
Make sure they're nice and tight and they won't slip.
The MIM Strats have decent tuners. You can always upgrade them, but it's one of the parts I'd leave stock.
I disagree. All that does is make the strings more susceptible to breaking at the peg, and makes it harder to change them. They'll still go out of tune from stretching when they're new. Once they're properly stretched (I just do it with time, rather than any artificial methods), they hold tune just fine.
Make sure they're nice and tight and they won't slip.
The MIM Strats have decent tuners. You can always upgrade them, but it's one of the parts I'd leave stock.
Kramer Guy
New member
Re: '04 MIM Strat - Upgrading tuners?
Check the intonation and the bridge saddles as well. Make sure everything's all setup properly. If a Strat is set up just right, you shouldn't have any tuning issues at all , even with a MIM standard . I own 2 Squier standards and they stay in tune just fine as does my Squier Affinity Butterscotch Telecaster.
Check the intonation and the bridge saddles as well. Make sure everything's all setup properly. If a Strat is set up just right, you shouldn't have any tuning issues at all , even with a MIM standard . I own 2 Squier standards and they stay in tune just fine as does my Squier Affinity Butterscotch Telecaster.
Kramer Guy
New member
Re: '04 MIM Strat - Upgrading tuners?
I agree with you. The stock tuners on the MIM Standards work just fine. When I restring my guitars, I don't even do the over and under method that a lot of guys like to use. I just give each string 2 " of slack and tune from there. That's plenty of length to tune each peg with and it'll keep your guitar in tune just fine.
I agree with you. The stock tuners on the MIM Standards work just fine. When I restring my guitars, I don't even do the over and under method that a lot of guys like to use. I just give each string 2 " of slack and tune from there. That's plenty of length to tune each peg with and it'll keep your guitar in tune just fine.
GregJr
New member
Re: '04 MIM Strat - Upgrading tuners?
I have a 2006 MIM Strat. Kept the nut, no problems there. I use bees wax AND graphite dust from a pencil on the nut. I ALWAYS lube it when changing strings.
I also purchased this: http://www.guitarfetish.com/Now-STA...-Tuners-Sperzel-Style-String-Lock-_p_514.html
Not that the Fender's weren't good, just a bit faster to change strings.oh...+ they lock and no winds!!
I have a 2006 MIM Strat. Kept the nut, no problems there. I use bees wax AND graphite dust from a pencil on the nut. I ALWAYS lube it when changing strings.
I also purchased this: http://www.guitarfetish.com/Now-STA...-Tuners-Sperzel-Style-String-Lock-_p_514.html
Not that the Fender's weren't good, just a bit faster to change strings.oh...+ they lock and no winds!!
trevorus
Modsterbator
Re: '04 MIM Strat - Upgrading tuners?
When putting your strings on, there is a method of stringing that I use. I turn the tuner so it's perendicular-ish to the line of the strings. Put a bit of slack on it like normal, and then pull the loose end up, and the guitar end down. This makes a Z shape that goes through the tuner. This bend is strong enough so as to keep the tuning pegs from slipping. Anything else is likely nut or trem adjustments.
When putting your strings on, there is a method of stringing that I use. I turn the tuner so it's perendicular-ish to the line of the strings. Put a bit of slack on it like normal, and then pull the loose end up, and the guitar end down. This makes a Z shape that goes through the tuner. This bend is strong enough so as to keep the tuning pegs from slipping. Anything else is likely nut or trem adjustments.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: '04 MIM Strat - Upgrading tuners?
I hear ya...Those are over all good guitars, but with a few mods they can become excellent guitars. They really have a hard time staying in tune when stock. It's their biggest weakness IMO (worse than the stock pickups, which I actually think are fairly usable).
The vibrato itself is one culprit. If you never use it, I'd block it down with a piece of wood. If you do use it, I'd lubricate it liberally around the fulcrum, upgrade the saddles, and upgrade the springs with stiffer spring. You can also go with a full-on to a Callaham vibrato replacement, but they're expensive.
The stock nut can be fine if you have it properly slotted. Going to a brand new Tusq XL nut is even better. Again, costs some money, but worth it if it's a guitar you gig with all the time.
As for the tuners, there are drop-in locking tuners made by by Schaller, or the same basic tuners labeled as Fender brand. They drop right into the shaft holes and locating holes on the MIM headstocks. You can also put Sperzels on by drilling six tiny holes (one between each of the stock holes for the locating pins), and they will look stock because all the stock holes will still be hidden. Another option is vintage style locking tuners by Gotoh, installed by way of adapter bushings. That's cool because you get locking tuner performance, but you also get the classic button tuner look.
In any case, however, the tuners are usually the most innocent of those three culprits IMO. Before getting new tuners, get some nut work done, and lubricate and/or upgrade your vibrato unit.
I hear ya...Those are over all good guitars, but with a few mods they can become excellent guitars. They really have a hard time staying in tune when stock. It's their biggest weakness IMO (worse than the stock pickups, which I actually think are fairly usable).
The vibrato itself is one culprit. If you never use it, I'd block it down with a piece of wood. If you do use it, I'd lubricate it liberally around the fulcrum, upgrade the saddles, and upgrade the springs with stiffer spring. You can also go with a full-on to a Callaham vibrato replacement, but they're expensive.
The stock nut can be fine if you have it properly slotted. Going to a brand new Tusq XL nut is even better. Again, costs some money, but worth it if it's a guitar you gig with all the time.
As for the tuners, there are drop-in locking tuners made by by Schaller, or the same basic tuners labeled as Fender brand. They drop right into the shaft holes and locating holes on the MIM headstocks. You can also put Sperzels on by drilling six tiny holes (one between each of the stock holes for the locating pins), and they will look stock because all the stock holes will still be hidden. Another option is vintage style locking tuners by Gotoh, installed by way of adapter bushings. That's cool because you get locking tuner performance, but you also get the classic button tuner look.
In any case, however, the tuners are usually the most innocent of those three culprits IMO. Before getting new tuners, get some nut work done, and lubricate and/or upgrade your vibrato unit.
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