Would locking tuners solve my problem?

[sleepykitty]

I have a tele that doesn't stay in tune very well. I've stretched the strings etc.
But whenever i do 1 1/2 step bends and the like, that particular string becomes flat.

So, would installing locking tuners solve this problem? Also, where do I get them?
Or is there another way to this problem?

Thanks

 

[zac89]

usually, just a change of normal tuners would be fine, but locking ones will give you added secrurity what brand of tele? i'm presuming squire?

 

[Victorinox]

It could also be a case of your string are not returning to pitch because of friction at the nut. Try some pencil lead on the slots or you may need a tech of file the slots properly.

 

[Xypher]

Hi.. i have a similar problem..I thought of the pencil lead method but my lead is too big to fit into the thinner string slots leh..how ah?

 

[zac89]

mechnical pencil lead

 

[bin4christ]

i've got the same prob. but only sometimes n on some strings. i wanna change tuners, but they're so hard to find here (jakarta). oh btw, any recommended brand of tuners?

yeah u can use mechanical pencil lead. just sorta colour the whole nut. the particles will fall into the string slots.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

Gotoh tuners are reliable. There's no need for locking tuners in this case unless you want extra security. Spend the extra on locking tuners only if you use the trem unit.

 

[shyamalan]

might be an unleveled nut.
Shim issue too.
resolved my 2 year long tuning problem with malcolm.

 

[edder]

planet waves locking tuners from davis. Cheap and good!

 

[almondx]

Hmmm buy the GHS nut lubricant? Not as troublesome as pencil lead. But it does not correct the root problem of the nut which I believe to be cut improperly since only one string exhibits the tuning issue. An improperly cut nut may cause intonation problems too.

 

[sleepykitty]

Hmmm buy the GHS nut lubricant? Not as troublesome as pencil lead. But it does not correct the root problem of the nut which I believe to be cut improperly since only one string exhibits the tuning issue. An improperly cut nut may cause intonation problems too.

All the strings except the low E and A have this tuning problem.
Coincidentally, those strings use strings tree. Could this be a problem?
I browsed thru the web and found out that gotoh have this 6 in line tuners with staggered pole pieces, so that the use of string trees is eliminated.

 

[sleepykitty]

It could also be a case of your string are not returning to pitch because of friction at the nut. Try some pencil lead on the slots or you may need a tech of file the slots properly.

I've wiggled the hell outta the strings on the nut. The strings seem to be locked in there snugly. Perfect fit if you ask me.

 

[sleepykitty]

planet waves locking tuners from davis. Cheap and good!

i remember you doing a review of it yes?
I'm trying to find it leh

 

[loldude333]

Hmmm........the string tree might be the prob too............wat guitar do u use? It might be the bridge. In that case, locking tuners will do jus fine. Or else it'll be the nut.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

Hmm, a reverse headsock i see. String trees may cause more problems with thick wound strings than thin unwound strings.

Gotoh staggered tuners is one way to solve it, albeit expensive. A cheaper alternative would be Graphtech's Trem nuts.

http://www.graphtech.com/prodtrem.htm

Which can be found at Maestro guitars.

 

[Whitestrat]

I have a tele that doesn't stay in tune very well. I've stretched the strings etc.
But whenever i do 1 1/2 step bends and the like, that particular string becomes flat.

The problem isn't your tuners, I'm guessing. That's assuming you string your guitar and wind the strings correctly. Mostly often than not, it's the nut. Did you increase your string gauge?

 

[Whitestrat]

I've wiggled the hell outta the strings on the nut. The strings seem to be locked in there snugly. Perfect fit if you ask me.

Sometimes, the perfect fit is the problem. you should try lubricating them bits, and the string trees...

 

[six-string]

btw, locking tuners lock the strings to the post, so that you can wind it easily.

It doesnt lock your tuning.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

btw, locking tuners lock the strings to the post, so that you can wind it easily.

It doesnt lock your tuning.

Ture but apart from the easy winding it gives, it actually reduces the chance of tuning cockups (assuming nuts and saddles are smooth). One reason is that since the post has only been turned a semi circle when tuned, strings do not get caught up/loosen/tighten over coils on strings on a post of normal tuners.

In a sense it does not work like the flody rose style locking nut whereby strings are clamped and secured from the first fret to the bridge.

 

[KayCee]

Six-string: The purpose of the locking mechanism is to eliminate the many windings needed on a normal tuning post. It is not necessary to wind the string more than 3/4 of a round on a locking tuning post. By eliminating the need for many windings, tuning stablity is improved.