Can't Keep G string in tune, any tips?

M

mauri

New member
Hey everyone, need a little help here.

I've got an Epi Les Paul Custom and I'm having some problems with the G string. Not only it's really hard for me to tune it 100% (when im turning the tuning key it feels like it constantly skips the exact G note, it's always a little flat or a little sharp). When i do finally get it tuned, it doesn't take long for it to come out of tune (a simple bend will do it).

I always stretch and re tune at least 2 times before I start playing. Any tips on how to fix this?
 
Re: Can't Keep G string in tune, any tips?

Try checking the ball end of the string is seated properly and stretching the string again is what I´d do.

edit: make sure it´s sitting correctly in the saddle & nut also. It could be slipping at the tuner too.
 
Last edited:
Re: Can't Keep G string in tune, any tips?

1. check for proper intonation
2. check to be sure there are no burrs or rough spots in the bridge saddle or nut. File if necessary. Add graphite lube.
3. new strings (be sure to use correct string wrap method at tuning post)
4. tune to pitch, stretch strings, tune again

hope that helps
 
Re: Can't Keep G string in tune, any tips?

+1 to lex

Ball end should be seated properly but of the first tuning it will skip and fall in to place. 2nd time this should not be an issue..

From this point there are few thing that come to mind.

Tuning pole (and the peg) : Are these quality tuning poles and pegs?

the way you wind the string on the pole: are you using a self locking technique. (in - under - over) I find this tutorial very helpful to me.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=185002

Bridge saddles: how is the bridge saddle for G? one clean single slot on it?
 
Re: Can't Keep G string in tune, any tips?

Make sure the nut slot isn't so narrow that it grabs the string.

You need some form of lubrication in the nut slot.

Make sure the string is properly anchored at the tuner, that there are as few winds as possible and that the winds have been put on while there was substantial pull.
 
Re: Can't Keep G string in tune, any tips?

It's the nut.

Replace the nut.

Else: lubricate the nut slots with a pencil lead.
 
Re: Can't Keep G string in tune, any tips?

uOpt said:
Make sure the string is properly anchored at the tuner, that there are as few winds as possible and that the winds have been put on while there was substantial pull.
Click to expand...

What is the reason behind the few winds as possbile approach? I heard that BB King winds the whole string to the pole and I don't remember seeing him going out of tune. Even with this huge bends.
 
Re: Can't Keep G string in tune, any tips?

the graphite from a pencil helped considerably so I guess the problem is the nut.

thank you everyone and bingo! immortalsix.

admins u can close this thread :p
 
Re: Can't Keep G string in tune, any tips?

mauri said:
the graphite from a pencil helped considerably so I guess the problem is the nut.

thank you everyone and bingo! immortalsix.

admins u can close this thread :p
Click to expand...

Glad your problem is resolved. You can delete this thread yourself if you like to but it is better to leave it for future reference in case some other member or guest faces a similar issue.
 
Re: Can't Keep G string in tune, any tips?

cakire82 said:
What is the reason behind the few winds as possbile approach? I heard that BB King winds the whole string to the pole and I don't remember seeing him going out of tune. Even with this huge bends.
Click to expand...

You do it if you can't fix going out of tune. If you don't have tuning problems it doesn't matter.

Of course if the wind has been done with the full tension in the first place then it really doesn't matter. But beginners put some pretty loose stuff there. Then a loose wind gives way when you bend, or just look at it silly, and the guitar is out of tune.
 
Re: Can't Keep G string in tune, any tips?

uOpt said:
You do it if you can't fix going out of tune. If you don't have tuning problems it doesn't matter.

Of course if the wind has been done with the full tension in the first place then it really doesn't matter. But beginners put some pretty loose stuff there. Then a loose wind gives way when you bend, or just look at it silly, and the guitar is out of tune.
Click to expand...

I see what you mean now and I definitely agree with loose winding. Thanks for the explanation.
 
Re: Can't Keep G string in tune, any tips?

cakire82 said:
What is the reason behind the few winds as possbile approach? I heard that BB King winds the whole string to the pole and I don't remember seeing him going out of tune. Even with this huge bends.
Click to expand...

Not sure where I picked this up, but I thought it was recoemmended that the string only wrap around the post only 2 or 4 times because this would lessen the amount the string would have to stretch and therefore stay in tune better. The more string wraps on the post, the more stretching it can do...

I personally never had an issue with this, so I don't subscribe to this theory. I wrap as many times as I feel as resonably necessary.
 
Re: Can't Keep G string in tune, any tips?

i was having all sorts of issues with my 76 Les Paul not staying in tune on the G String... it has new tuners, a new bridge, a new nut....still i can knock the G string out easier then most of my other guitars i own...

but there was an issue with the intonation being off and i kept tuning it trying to get the guitar in tune only to play a chord somewhere up the neck and sound off... the G string saddle was out of intonation!!! how i have no idea... it plays and sounds much better now but i can still knock it out of tune once in a while
 
Re: Can't Keep G string in tune, any tips?

I also use more windings on guitars that I use for pickup testing, so that I can change the pickups without getting the strings off.

I don't have any issues there but then I'm not dragging my guitars through cold MA winters to gig in overheated clubs.
 
Re: Can't Keep G string in tune, any tips?

ImmortalSix said:
It's the nut.

Replace the nut.

Else: lubricate the nut slots with a pencil lead.
Click to expand...

It was on my Epi LP too. I got some fine grit sand paper and deepened the nut slot very little by very little. That fixed a s***load of intonation problems.
 
Re: Can't Keep G string in tune, any tips?

I find that most tuning stability problems are in the nut. I always check the slot width (with feeler guages & nut files) & make sure they're right for the string guages I'm using. I also find that the peghead side of the slot needs to be "opened" up. Strings tend to bind here (at the bottom on in-line 6 pegheads & on the sides on 3x3 pegheads). I have a dremel tool I use to open up a conical shape in the last fourth of the slot at the peghead side. This usually resolves the problem.

Good Luck
 
Re: Can't Keep G string in tune, any tips?

mauri said:
the graphite from a pencil helped considerably so I guess the problem is the nut.

thank you everyone and bingo! immortalsix.

admins u can close this thread :p
Click to expand...

Glad I could help!

I have several cheap guitars, and the first thing I do to every one of them is replace the nut or lubricate the nut slot with pencil lead.

Cheers! And welcome to the SD forum!
 
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