Staying in tune

[blackwaterstout]

I recently dug out a 1987 Kramer Aerostar (Koeran model) that I thought i'd clean up and make playable again. Definately not expecting much. The guitar is physically in good shape with low hours but hasn't been played in years.

anyway, I cleaned it up, adjusted the neck, restringed, and will probably replace a pickup or two.

however, the guitar does not do a good job of staying in tune. I don't dare use the whammy bar. I actually added a 4th retension spring on the tremelo block just to keep it tighter. didn't seem to help much.

Do you think staying in tune has more to do with the stock bridge or more to do with the tuning gears?

what are my options? It's a Korean guitar so is not worth dumping big money into.

 

[Jocelyn]

Re: Staying in tune

IMO both bridge and tuners play a part in keeping the guitar in tune. I have a strat styled guitar with a vintage trem and it stays in tune fairly well except if I go real deep whammy dives. make sure the nut is properly shaped.. that does solve a lot of problems..Better tuners help a lot.

 

[Redmist]

Re: Staying in tune

IMHO it will probably be the fault of the nut.
Tuners, by design, cannot slip - provided you have them strung properly.
The bridge may be at fault, but with good hefty springs on board......
Check the nut!

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Staying in tune

Do you have the trem anchored, or is it floating?

I have "hardtail'd" some of my trem guitars by adding more springs as you did, and tightening the claw all the way down ---- affords me greater tuning stability.

 

[Buckeyedog]

Re: Staying in tune

Agree with the nut. It can pinch the strings. Try some graphite or nut sauce in the slots. Took me years to figure this out!!

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Staying in tune

there's an article in the vault about using sandpaper to smooth the nut with the strings still on the guitar. useful info, i did it to my hardtail sg and it worked wonders!

 

[thespricket]

Re: Staying in tune

Some 3 in 1 oil! just rub some anywhere on the guitar where the strings make contact, the saddles, especilly the nut, and maybe even the fret bars. That should do it.

Immortalsix has the right idea too, of you dont even bother with the whammy bar anchor the bridge. You can still use it, just not as easily as a floater.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Staying in tune

You can still use it, just not as easily as a floater.

Yes --- it's important to note that what I did and pictured is not the same as "blocking" your trem, which some folks do when they shoulda-boughta-hardtail, but with the way I did it, you can still bend DOWN, just not up.

 

[brentrocks]

Re: Staying in tune

lube the nut

 

[blackwaterstout]

Re: Staying in tune

I took a closer look at the nut and I think it probably should be replaced. I guess it's plastic and I think it may be too worn. It frets out slightly on the first fret Low-E string.

Since this is a strat clone you think I could just pick up one from a guitar shop to fit a strat?

I've heard graphite is the best but is it warranted on this guitar? Teflon? What do you guys recommend?

I appreciate your help.

 

[Blue313]

Re: Staying in tune

Replacing the nut can be quick and easy if you're familiar with the process. Otherwise work with what you have. Sounds like shimming the nut and refiling the slots is the cheapest (and most educational) option.

On a cheap guitar there's nothing wrong with a crappy nut if the slots are good. Sure Vintage Bone or Graphtech are both far superior materials, but I'd rather hack up a plastic one before spending money to 'learn' on something pricey.

 

[phil_104]

Re: Staying in tune

The chain is only as strong as it's weakest link.

It has to be the parts working together. A good bridge, that is well adjusted, is a key element to any set up. A good nut that is well shaped is also key, as is good tuners, locking preferably for me.

That's usually the key, that and good tight string winds around the tuning post if you are not using locking.

 

[blackwaterstout]

Re: Staying in tune

I stopped in my local guitar shop today and picked up a replacement nut. They had cheap plastic ones and Graph Tech Tusq nuts. So I went with the Tusq. Obviously an upgrade over the current plastic nut but whats the overall concensus on Tusq nuts?

It has a small tab in the middle I'm going to have to file down. But it looks like it should fit.

EDIT. I also stopped by guitar center today and they had 8-packs of D'Addario EXL110's on sale for $19.99. $2.49/pack

So if anyone plays 10's go pick some up.

 

[scottish]

Re: Staying in tune

The tusq nuts are nice, i dont have any beef with them whatsoever. I didnt see this thread sooner, but as already mentioned, tuning stability 9 times out of 10 is due to the nut and bridge saddles. They need to be filed properly, nice and smooth, not to wide and not too narrow. A good set up works wonders for tuning issues.