Guitar knocks out of tune easily...

[Perry D]

I have an Ibanez SA series guitar with a tremolo. My problem is every time that I use the whammy bar it knocks it out of tune. Is there anything I can do to fix this or should i just block it and say to heck with it. I would prefer to not block it. If its got it there i might as well use it. Any thoughts?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Guitar knocks out of tune easily...

Eliminate as much friction as possible at the nut & bridge. If you get everything in working order, you should be able to do a reasonable amount of whammying while staying in tune.

Locking tuners help a lot, too, because they eliminate the string wraps at the tuning post, which slip (the wraps, not the tuner) and cause problems.

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Guitar knocks out of tune easily...

Is your guitar going sharp?

Here's what I do with my strat. It might seem like a pain in the ass but it works. I tune up and then I push the bar all the way down and let it back up. Then I check the low E and re-tune. I repeat this until it stops going out of tune. I do it with each string. Usually what happens is the string gets messed up behind the nut. This fixes it on my guitar. Also if you hear any "ping" sounds you need some lube in the slots of the nut - graphite from a pencil can help. Also I've found that adding a spring or two in the trem cavity can help - though you'll have to make some adjustments if you do that. You may also might want to try tying your strings on like this (if you don't have locking tuners).
http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/stringing.htm - a lot of people don't know about wrapping the string this way.

 

[Perry D]

Re: Guitar knocks out of tune easily...

Eliminate as much friction as possible at the nut & bridge. If you get everything in working order, you should be able to do a reasonable amount of whammying while staying in tune.

Locking tuners help a lot, too, because they eliminate the string wraps at the tuning post, which slip (the wraps, not the tuner) and cause problems.

well when i would play and hit the bar it would make that clicking sound and then it would be out of tune. when you say eliminate friction, what are you referring to?

 

[Diego]

Re: Guitar knocks out of tune easily...

Does it click when you are tuning up, too?

Sounds like the nut is a bit too tight. That's what he means by friction. The strings may be getting stuck in the nut slots, which may be improperly cut.

Try lubing the nut slots for the strings with graphite from a pencil, that should help things a bit.

Are you stretching your strings while tuning?

Also, are you wrapping the strings properly on the tuning posts? The wrong technique can make a perfectly fine guitar go out of tune every 2 seconds.

 

[Perry D]

Re: Guitar knocks out of tune easily...

Is your guitar going sharp?

Here's what I do with my strat. It might seem like a pain in the ass but it works. I tune up and then I push the bar all the way down and let it back up. Then I check the low E and re-tune. I repeat this until it stops going out of tune. I do it with each string. Usually what happens is the string gets messed up behind the nut. This fixes it on my guitar. Also if you hear any "ping" sounds you need some lube in the slots of the nut - graphite from a pencil can help. Also I've found that adding a spring or two in the trem cavity can help - though you'll have to make some adjustments if you do that. You may also might want to try tying your strings on like this (if you don't have locking tuners).
http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/stringing.htm - a lot of people don't know about wrapping the string this way.

it would vary sometimes on which way it would go. usually flat. i do get the pinging sound. that was a very interesting way to string it up. i will definitely try that on my tremolo guitars. i have thought about springs but would that really fix it? i am going to try the bar trick too. ive never lubed the nut on it, graphite pencil?...is that the only thing?

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Guitar knocks out of tune easily...

springs don't fix the problem, they just help it some. I've found that a tighter bar tension from more springs helps the stability of it a bit. Of course it makes it a little tougher to do extreme motions as easily.

There's stuff for sale called Nut Sauce, but I'd try the pencil trick first. It can really help.

 

[Perry D]

Re: Guitar knocks out of tune easily...

springs don't fix the problem, they just help it some. I've found that a tighter bar tension from more springs helps the stability of it a bit. Of course it makes it a little tougher to do extreme motions as easily.

There's stuff for sale called Nut Sauce, but I'd try the pencil trick first. It can really help.

so i just basically kinda color where the strings sit on the nut?

 

[Diego]

Re: Guitar knocks out of tune easily...

Yup. It won't hurt to try and lay a small layer by scratching the pencil lead with a sharp knife too.

Also, the winding technique GoDrex posted is the best. It should be done not only with tremolo equipped guitars, it should be done on all guitars! It's even on the Gibson website I think.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Guitar knocks out of tune easily...

A MacGyver method of fixing the nut slots is to loosen the string, and run it back and forth in the slot. On the plain strings, you'll have to use some very fine sandpaper folded in half.

Do you have Dan Erlewine's book about guitar maintenance? If not, get it

 

[Perry D]

Re: Guitar knocks out of tune easily...

Awesome! thanks everyone who gave some advice. for a long time i just took the whammy out and never used it, but its always bothered me that it did that. i am going to try this and ill let you know how it turns out. thanks again.