Third string tuner

[Moonray13s]

My two-week-old D-03 seems to have a quirky tuning machine. Third string tuning machine provides no response in tone for a full quarter turn, then suddenly comes to life. And even then, there's not much subtlety. Big jumps in tone rather than small changes. Conveniently, the thing stays in tune for days at a time once I get it right, but it's odd that this one machine seems to have a bug.

Oddly enough, my Washburn D11 has a similar problem with the same number tuner. Is this weirdness a function of the third string? Or is it just a big coincidence and I've got two quirky tuning machines?

[jmhyer]

Problem could be the tuning machine but may also be binding of the string in the nut slot.  When it finally does change pitch suddenly, do you hear a popping noise?  If this is the problem, it might be remedied by a little finely-ground graphite (pencil lead) applied into the nut slot.  Alternatively, you could take it to you local guitar tech to have the slot widened a bit.

[Steve]

Sounds like a the string is sticking in the nut slot.  If your guitar was set up for light gauge strings and then you went to mediums this is a common problem.

Either have the nut slot filed wider or try some graphite from a pencil in the slot.  There are some manufactured products to lube your nut slots but I have never used them.  What is that stuff called, Nut Grease or something like that?

Steve  :GRN>

[Steve]

jmhyer beat me to it by 30 seconds, dang!  ^_^

[jmhyer]

 ^_^ ^_^ ^_^

[Randy_R]

if you eat a piece of KFC first and rub some chicken grease on the string before tightening it up, you won't have this problem..  :WNK>

[expatCanuck]

if you eat a piece of KFC first and rub some chicken grease on the string before tightening it up, you won't have this problem..  :WNK>

But then doesn't one tend to drool on the instrument when it's played?
(Assuming, of course, that one is fond of KFC.)

[Fstpicker]

I typically have the same problem with the G string on my Larrivee and sometimes on my Martin. I have used pencil lead which helps, but opening up the nut slot can help too. Be careful not to open it up too much though.

Jeff