Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

[Pick_n_grin]

I've got one of the Korean Hamers (SATF), to which I added Sperzel tuners. I find that the tuning does not hold very well, despite the locking tuners. The treble strings seem to be less stable. I don't think that there are any structural defects in the guitar. Might this be a problem that a setup will fix?
I never used Sperzel tuners before this, so I don't know how long they typically hold the guitar in tune.

Thanks

 

[davedvdy]

Re: Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

How old are your strings? sometimes it's the nut as well...

 

[Pick_n_grin]

Re: Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

How old are your strings? sometimes it's the nut as well...

Hmm... I haven't been playing that guitar much for awhile... the strings might be ~ 6mos old or so (guessing here)... I've never had this guitar professionally set up, and am going to do so.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

A good setup should alleviate the problem, it´s most likely just the nut binding. I´ve never seen a Sperzel fail for any reason save abuse

 

[theodie]

Re: Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

A good setup should alleviate the problem, it´s most likely just the nut binding. I´ve never seen a Sperzel fail for any reason save abuse

+1

 

[davedvdy]

Re: Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

Hmm... I haven't been playing that guitar much for awhile... the strings might be ~ 6mos old or so (guessing here)... I've never had this guitar professionally set up, and am going to do so.

It sounds like it could use a set up as the guys mentioned.

6 month old strings are pretty old, IMO, although it depends on how oily your hands are and how much you've played it. If your strings are rusty/black, you are also putting more wear on your frets.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

A proper setup and new strings should fix it.

 

[Pick_n_grin]

Re: Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

Thanks, guys... I will have it set up as soon as I can!

 

[davedvdy]

Re: Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

The chances are, that the intonation is off somewhat, if the guitar has never been set up, so it seems like that would help in that area as well.

 

[BTMN]

Re: Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

3 things, D'addarrio 10-46es, have the nut slots checked, and setup with intonation. Life will rock. Korean Import Hamer or Chinese made?

 

[theodie]

Re: Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

3 things, D'addarrio 10-46es, have the nut slots checked, and setup with intonation. Life will rock. Korean Import Hamer or Chinese made?

Why D'addarrio 10-46es??? They are OK strings but, they are not any better than any other brand for tuning stability.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

If the guitar is playing "well" to you, you might want to think about graphite poweder or pencil lead (graphite) in your nut slots. Although it sounds like your nut slots are not cut properly for your gauge of strings. I'll also recommend the Graph Tech saddles. Best $30 in gear you'll ever spend.

Six months for strings- change 'em.

 

[BTMN]

Re: Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

The D'Addarios are stock Hamer strings and I just like them and find them a good match with my Hamers Import or USA. YMMV.

 

[HamerPlyr]

Re: Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

A lot of the the import Hamers seem to have poorly cut nuts (and I think that we all know how painful that can be...). My 335 did, and I almost had to resort to using dynamite to get the damned thing off of the neck. I'm betting that it's the nut, but it could be an intonation issue, too. Here's one more vote for getting the thing properly set up.

 

[Texas Swamp]

Re: Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

Most of the time with something like that, it's the nut usually, especially with the Korean Hamer. This was the same problem with my Gibson, granted it was an SG, it went out of tune easier than usual and then it turned out the nut was not cut properly.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

Your strings need changed.

That said...

Your Korean Hamer has a toy-grade plastic nut and should be replaced with a real one (bone, corian, graph-tech).

 

[octavedoctor]

Re: Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

A good setup should alleviate the problem, it´s most likely just the nut binding. I´ve never seen a Sperzel fail for any reason save abuse

I've seen loads of them fail; fall apart, core wires pull through wraps, top strings get jammed between the pin and the inside of the post...

They are the most ridiculous design that anyone has ever wasted some beautiful engineering work on.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

I've got one of the Korean Hamers (SATF), to which I added Sperzel tuners. I find that the tuning does not hold very well, despite the locking tuners. The treble strings seem to be less stable. I don't think that there are any structural defects in the guitar. Might this be a problem that a setup will fix?
I never used Sperzel tuners before this, so I don't know how long they typically hold the guitar in tune.

Thanks

Is your neck relief set properly? Is your intonation set? How is your string height? Are you pickups set too high to the point where the magnets are pulling the strings out of tune? Are you using the proper winding technique for your tuning machines when stringing?

Once all of those can be checked off you should be fine. If that does not solve it you may want to look into a new bridge or try some Big Bends Nut sauce. You apply a small amount under the string in each nut slot and on top of the saddles and it really does work. In fact, I am surprised more guitarists do not lube their strings, you are supposed to.

 

[Pick_n_grin]

Re: Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

Thanks to each of you for your input. I brought the Hamer in today to a local shop for a setup (never used them before). I asked the tech about whether a new nut would be beneficial and he didn't seem too enthused about cutting a new one... he did show me how there was no angle to the nut slots though. He did a truss rod adjustment while I was there and I need to call him tomorrow to check on the rest. Is there a great difference between the cheap plastic stock nut and a bone or graphite etc. nut?

 

[theodie]

Re: Hamer not staying in tune even with Sperzels

The D'Addarios are stock Hamer strings and I just like them and find them a good match with my Hamers Import or USA. YMMV.

You can match any string to any guitar with a good setup! Brand strings will not chane his tuning instability problem.