Won't stay in tune!!!

[steve10358]

Recently, my guitar doesn't want to stay in tune.

I have locked the strings on the same way for the past 7+ years and I never used to have any probs.

I have a 99 Classic, and it doesn't matter what strings I use.

Any suggestions?

Steve

 

[Yelly]

Most likely cause is a worn nut. Assuming you do actually clean out the slots regularly, it is possible the slots have worn enough that the strings are pinching. Are you using pencil lead ot graphite grease in the slots? Give us some more info if you can as there are other possibilities.

 

[goldTopDeluxe]

Yelly,

What's a good way to clean and lubricate the nut slots?

 

[DrewB]

Use 600-grit or finer sandpaper to clean out the nut slots and smooth the slot walls and bottoms. This is best done by wrapping the sandpaper around a nut slotting file, but will work by just passing it through the slots a few times. Most likely, the slots don't need to be cleaned out, just lubricated. Use petroleum jelly to lubricate the slots; it works as well as anything.

You didn't happen to increase your string gauge, did you?

 

[steve10358]

Nope, the guitar has been set up for tens.

Steve

 

[Davepaf]

Stupid question, did your bridge come off and you put it back on backwards? Or do you have kids who like to play with screwdrivers? sounds like your intonation is out.

 

[MD Arnquist]

won't stay in tune

You need to go thru the setup check list BEFORE you do anything .

This is true for any guitar any brand electric or acoustic .

Is the guitar tuned to the pitch you always use ?
Is the neck /trussrod adjusted properly?
Are the nut slots too high?
are the nut slots too low?
Do you know how to check the truss rods and the nut slot depth?

If those are okay ,check the posts the bridge is sitting on .
Do you have an ABR-1 or a Nashville TOM or another variation?

What about bridge height? check that next

Now if all of those are okay,remove the string .Do you have Gibson Klusons made after 1986? They have a made in Germany imprint on the underside.These are famous for the casing coming loose!!!!! Get Gotoh replacement Kluson tuners .These are made in Japan and are far superior to the Taiwan or Korean copies.

If your tuners are fine ,go to an office supply house and buy a mechanical pencil ....put this in your string changing kit .The leads are thinner that you can sharpen a pencil to ,and they are easy to come by .They fit into the smallest of nut slots .Run the lead thru the slots ....

Next burrs on the saddles ....Which bridge do you have ? What era are the saddles from ?
ABR-1 saddles are now brass once again YES!!!!!!
Nashville saddles were made of powder casting for 20plus years and they cause all kinds of tuning maintenance problems .

There you go ....answer those and the rest is fairly easy.

 

[Yelly]

Most have the bases have been covered by the other posts but there is another quick way to clean and lube your slots that works well for some people - humble waxed dental floss.

 

[DrewB]

Gonna be a dental floss tycoon...

I'd be raisin' it up
'N' I'd be waxin' it downspin