Les Paul won't stay in tune

[Warheart]

Re: Les Paul won't stay in tune

Couple of quick questions for you:
Are the tuner bushings at all loose?
Did the tech cut the nut slots for the new strings that you went to instead of 9's?
How is the break angle from the bridge to the tailpiece? Could it go down more without touching the back of the bridge?
Does the bridge and tailpiece studs look like they are mounted in the body well?
Are the saddles tight in the bridge, or is there play for them to move back and forth? The buzzing you mention leads me to believe that they are loose and rattling around.
How does the truss rod cavity look, and are there any issues with too much relief?
If you play an open string, and push on the back of the headstock, does it go wildly out of tune?
Have you tried moving up a gauge of strings, past 10s? Maybe 11's just to see if it holds tune better?

 

[man-in-moon]

Re: Les Paul won't stay in tune

So far I have tried 2 sets of dunlops and a set of ghs boomers. The tuners are pretty tight the tech did file the slots a little for the 10's I always top wrap my tail piece there is about .5mm clearence from the string and back of the bridge. The studs seem to be set pretty good in the body. The relief of the neck is about spot on for my playing with no buzzing. When I push on the back of the headstock it returns to pitch.
The saddles do not move at all even with no string tension. One thing i have noticed is the intonation will not get exact it gets real close but just a hair of a turn it goes sharp. It goes out of tune playing open strings or fretted.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Les Paul won't stay in tune

I have never once stretched strings :wall: so it must not be that essential :18:

Does the guitar go out of tune again and again after you tune it? Or just the first time after its out of its case?

then, either you bend like mad (equivalent to stretching) or you don't bend at all (so its unlikely to go out of tune).

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Les Paul won't stay in tune

then, either you bend like mad (equivalent to stretching) or you don't bend at all (so its unlikely to go out of tune).

How would you even play a guitar without bending things? haha

No seriously bro i dont stretch strings. Makes me wonder how many others do or dont? thread time bro

 

[Il_Bès]

Re: Les Paul won't stay in tune

then, either you bend like mad (equivalent to stretching)

IME, strings can be bent (while playing) as far as the fingerboard allows, while they can be stretched way farther upwards and/or sideways on the entire length.

or you don't bend at all (so its unlikely to go out of tune).

Wouldn't say that either, at least with non-locking tuners. You just take away one of the many factors that can lead to mistuning... even picking strings causes some alteration of string tension, just to name one.
I recall trying out my drummer's Fernandes LP, which he set up with new strings after upgrading the PUs (57n and some SD in the bridge slot)... it sure sounded awesome, but wouldn't stay in tune no matter how soft I picked, let alone avoiding any bending. Three sessions of stretching took care of the issue :bigthumb:

Andrea

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Les Paul won't stay in tune

Time to chime in here....

Let's start with the snarky comment...Welcome to the world of Gibson!

Now for some real help. Check the nut. Can't tell you how many times (even plek'd models) that some good nut work or replacement has been the trick to tuning stability. I don't know what its like down in the US, but up here Yorkville (distributor) is actually pretty good about dealing with this stuff.

Also...was this used? Surprised to hear 9's came on it. Might also be time to look at a swap or whatnot, since your still under warranty.

 

[Firebrand]

Re: Les Paul won't stay in tune

Agreed. Gibbys should always be preloaded with 10s.

How are the pickups set? If they are too close they can pull you out of tune.

The G and D are notorious for going out on an LP. Pay the tech some $ to ensure the nut is cut right.

And finally, silly as it may sound, have the intonation checked. They don't always come factory fresh and ready to play.

 

[InbredJunk]

Re: Les Paul won't stay in tune

If the nut or bridge saddles are cut too wide this will happen. Most of the time, you not be able to feel the string sliding around in either. My suggestion is to buy a new nut. If that doesn't solve the problem, buy some new bridge saddles. If that doesn't work, get some tuners. If none of that works, you'd better get a new guitar, because that means it's a neck problem.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Les Paul won't stay in tune

Generally, this is a nut problem. Certainly there are lots of other things that can contribute. But, my first inclination would be to do some more nut work. Stretch your strings thoroughly every string change. Always tune UP to pitch. My personal preference would also be to replace that bridge with a Nashville (I hate ABRs).

I have been using Dunlop strings for 7 or 8 years now...never had a broken string (however I must add that I make sure there are no burs on tailpiece, bridge/saddles, or tuning posts), they stay in tune better than most strings I've tried, last a long time between changes, sound great, and don't cost a fortune.

 

[Lucid_Lunatic]

Re: Les Paul won't stay in tune

I'd say leave a set on there for a couple days and play them. Sounds like stretching to me. 4 sets it 2 weeks doesn't really give any of them time to stretch.

 

[man-in-moon]

Re: Les Paul won't stay in tune

I have been stretching the strings pretty good. The only reason I have changed strings so many times is breakage. I could understand if they were breaking at the bridge or tuners but they are breaking right before the string gets to the post. And it is only happening when I lossen the string. I took it back to my tech today and he still couldn't find anything with the nut. He did say it looked like the neck was trying to twist some. I went back to gc today and talked to the guy I always deal with. He said they have had to send a few trad pro 2's back to gibson for different issues.
They had a heritage cherry model that the fretboard fell off.

 

[InbredJunk]

Re: Les Paul won't stay in tune

I hope they give you your money back.

 

[Lucid_Lunatic]

Re: Les Paul won't stay in tune

Did you buy it new or used? Give me a shout when you get tired of it.