I've Got Serious Tuning Problems...need Advice

[sc morris]

i really need some good advice from you guys.  my D-03 WILL NOT STAY IN TUNE....AT ALL.  this seemed to happen gradially, but now it's full blown.  about a month ago i noticed that my guitar would go out of tune after about 20 to 30 minutes of playing time.  but now, it goes out after just about every song!  sometimes during a song.  this is completely different from when i first got it.  when i took it out of the case for the first time, i played for like 4 hours and never went out of tune.  

it's mainly the low E string and the B and high E strings.  this is getting really frustrating.  i am not questioning the quality of this guitar....i know it's a good guitar....and i'm not looking to get rid of it.  what should i do?  do i need new tuners?  a truss rod adjustment?  or should i just bite the bullet and take it to the shop and get a pro's opinion. i just really don't want to blow the $50 it will proabably cost me taking it to the shop.  

and another thing....when i put on the capo it sounds totally out of tune.  even if i just tuned it up good.  is this an intonation problem or something?


do any of you have any clue what is causing this?

[1954Gold]

Could be new strings stretching out or sudden sharp weather changes. Have had these exact problems with my Les Paul until the strings broke in. Intially also with the Larrivee until I ditched the Elixirs and put on the Martin Phosphor Bronze Meds.

[Hugendubel]

It could also be sloppy and floppy string winding around the posts of the tuners. If there are too little windings the strings slip and get flat when played or even bent. If there are too many winings these huge "knots" always settle a bit. Ideal if you have about 3-5 windings around the tuning posts.

Well, I don't know wether you already changed your strings but if yes, this might be a cause.

[Bochim]

SC,
You need new strings. : ;)  <_<  :rolleyes:
  Sincerely,
  Bo

[sc morris]

SC,
You need new strings. : ;)  <_<  :rolleyes:
  Sincerely,
  Bo

do you mean a different brand?  i just put a new set on....Webstrings though.  i thought the new brand may be an issue, but i'm not sure.  this is the 3rd set of Webstrings and the problem is just not going away.  i will say, when i first got the guitar it had Nano's on it...and it held tune wonderfully.  but i think UncleRob told me that the string brand should not be an issue.  i'm not sure, i guess i'll go back to Nano's and see if that helps.  thanx for the input though.  

[sc morris]

Could be new strings stretching out or sudden sharp weather changes. Have had these exact problems with my Les Paul until the strings broke in. Intially also with the Larrivee until I ditched the Elixirs and put on the Martin Phosphor Bronze Meds.

i would try to switch to Martin mediums...but my nut is only slotted for lights. i bought some mediums once, and didn't noticed this until i went to install them.  and i have let the strings "relax and stretch"....this isn't working either.   it's probably those cheap #@% Webstrings!!!!  you get what you pay for i suppose.

i am really frustrated!!!  

[sevenup]

Maybe you already did this.  But right after you put on a set of strings, while you are tunning it, push and pull each string side way gently, around the 12th and 14th fret.  Do this about 3 times, and your strings will stablize.  Hope this helps.

[guitarcrazy]

I agree with sevenup.  I always pull the strings (gently!) one at a time, tune to pitch, and pull, tune, etc., until the pulling no longer affects the pitch of the string.  Sometimes poor strings just don't seem to want to stay in tune, but I haven't heard of that many problems with the webstrings.  I have never tried them though.  The number of string windings definitely can affect it also.  Try those first, and if no luck, bite the bullet and get it restrung and checked at your local dealer.  I bet if you try these things, you will probably be ok.  Good luck and enjoy the D-03.  It is a great guitar.  Jason.

[1954Gold]

New, cheap strings will not stay in tune very well. As others point out, could also be the method of stringing to the tuning pegs. Check out Bryan's site.. he is one of the top Martin set-up guys in the country and he has some excellent pics re correct stringing as well as other luthier topics.. click on the "luthierie" area:

http://www.bryankimsey.com/

[slim]

I use Webstrings and have never had this problem.  Good strings for a good price!   ;)  

[sc morris]

I agree with sevenup.  I always pull the strings (gently!) one at a time, tune to pitch, and pull, tune, etc., until the pulling no longer affects the pitch of the string.  Sometimes poor strings just don't seem to want to stay in tune, but I haven't heard of that many problems with the webstrings.  I have never tried them though.  The number of string windings definitely can affect it also.  Try those first, and if no luck, bite the bullet and get it restrung and checked at your local dealer.  I bet if you try these things, you will probably be ok.  Good luck and enjoy the D-03.  It is a great guitar.  Jason.

i always use the "tug" method after i restring...but this doesn't seem to be the problem. once i get it in tune, i can do a simple blues bend and it's out of tune.  and the issue with my capo makes it seem like an intonation thing.  i'm not sure, but thanks for the tips.  

[sc morris]

New, cheap strings will not stay in tune very well. As others point out, could also be the method of stringing to the tuning pegs. Check out Bryan's site.. he is one of the top Martin set-up guys in the country and he has some excellent pics re correct stringing as well as other luthier topics.. click on the "luthierie" area:

http://www.bryankimsey.com/

i'll check out that sight.  thanks...

[guitarcrazy]

One thing to check also is if the tuner itself is loose.  They can sometimes work loose, and have an affect on tuning.  Some people swear by lubricating the nut to allow the string to slide easier, although I have never had to do it.  Kind of perplexing.  Let us know what you find out.  Jason.

[sc morris]

1954 GOLD......

i went to that sight and that guy really makes sense.  i'm going to try to "over/under" method soon.  i'm not crazy about Steve Kaufman's method.  i've tried that before and i just don't like it.  thanks for the tip....that's a good sight.  

[sc morris]

One thing to check also is if the tuner itself is loose.  They can sometimes work loose, and have an affect on tuning.  Some people swear by lubricating the nut to allow the string to slide easier, although I have never had to do it.  Kind of perplexing.  Let us know what you find out.  Jason.

they were loose....i checked them this weekend.  i tightened them up...not too tight though.still didn't help.  as a matter of fact, it's worse now.  i got so mad this weekend, this thing was almost made into sawdust!!  you can't even have a decent jam session if the guitar won't stay in tune.

i had to pull out my old, all lam. Takamine.  now that's pathetic.  put away a Larrivee cause it won't stay in tune and pull out the $250 Takamine.  

[guitarcrazy]

That is definitely uncommon for Larrivee.  Try a different brand of string and if problem persists, get it checked.  It should be covered by warranty if something has gone awry.  I have never heard of this persistent a problem.  Usually the tricks mentioned earlier solve the problem.  I will call Larrivee tomorrow if you want.  Actually, I will email Corey tonight.  He is usually on his computer also.  I will let you know if he has any ideas.  Jason.

[stevelawsn]

I have been using the Webstrings PB 0.012's and I really like them. I have used Martin and Elixir and these are as good as the Martin and sound brighter than the Elixirs, although I really like the way the Elixir strings feel.  I have a D03 also. I use the over/under string winding technique and this always gives a good, tight binding on the post. Make sure that the ball end of the string is seated well in the bridge hole with the pin. The tugging is also necessary to get the strings stretched properly so that everything will settle down. Good luck.  

[unclrob]

sc morris contact me,If you like ship it to me and I'll go over it see what's happening.No reason to make anything into sawdust.You can contact stevelawsn he let you know I all rite.But please no saw dust yet.........

[1954Gold]

1954 GOLD......

i went to that sight and that guy really makes sense.  i'm going to try to "over/under" method soon.  i'm not crazy about Steve Kaufman's method.  i've tried that before and i just don't like it.  thanks for the tip....that's a good sight.

You're most welcome... don't panic, probably just the strings, or one of the other common simple situations mentioned here. Also, can be a change in the weather - yes really. Alot of amp buzzes and string de tunings are due to atmospheric conditions. Also common with new guitars. However, I would invest in Martin P-B Meds or similar quality strings, the D-03 sings with them on like the fine quality instrument it is. FWIW, here is another string wrap site I like, though it uses a Les Paul Custom as the model: http://www.two--four.net/Guitars/StringWrap.html

I am sure things are minor and will resolve themselves quickly.

[sc morris]

1954 GOLD......

i went to that sight and that guy really makes sense.  i'm going to try to "over/under" method soon.  i'm not crazy about Steve Kaufman's method.  i've tried that before and i just don't like it.  thanks for the tip....that's a good sight.

You're most welcome... don't panic, probably just the strings, or one of the other common simple situations mentioned here. Also, can be a change in the weather - yes really. Alot of amp buzzes and string de tunings are due to atmospheric conditions. Also common with new guitars. However, I would invest in Martin P-B Meds or similar quality strings, the D-03 sings with them on like the fine quality instrument it is. FWIW, here is another string wrap site I like, though it uses a Les Paul Custom as the model: http://www.two--four.net/Guitars/StringWrap.html

I am sure things are minor and will resolve themselves quickly.

question:

can i use mediums on my D-03??? the nut on my guitar is only slotted for lights and under.  but, after looking on that sight you sent me, that guy prefers the strings sort of sitting on the nut.  if you look at the before and after pics of the Martin, you'll see what i mean.  i always thought that if the strings don't set good in the slots, they will come out when you go to do some bending.  i would love to try out mediums on this guitar, i just didn't think it was possible.  i think this is the stock nut from Larrivee too.  i bought this guitar used, so i may be wrong.  i wouldn't be able to tell the difference between bone or tusq just from looking at it.