My black beauty gets out of tune really fast

[pariko]

what to do? G string in particular I think and and B

 

[CptFnMarvelous]

what to do? G string in particular I think and and B

Before you do anything make sure you're tuning it correctly. I only say this is because I recently discovered (30 odd years later) that I was doing it wrong.

Always tune up to pitch

Order is d, g, a, b, E, e

Once the D is in Pitch, give it a stretch the length of the string and tune it back up to pitch. Repeat this process until the stretch doesn't change the pitch.

Repeat for each string in the order described.

If that fails check the angle of the nut. The strings should be rising to the Head side of the nut and coming pretty much straight off the fretboard side edge.

Also check the saddles and in particular the G. Use a magnifier if you have to and look for any etching or burrs in the aluminum that could affect the string.

If it's scenario one problem solved, either the nut or the bridge though, if it were me I would take somebody I trusted. That said Joe Di Cola does a series of videos on YouTube that'll walk you through setup.

 

[corpse]

G STRING TUNING ISSUES

And so...after having a bone nut installed....in Nashville.....I feel there is a positive tonal difference.....but, there is more of a G String tuning issue than previously experienced with the 2019 R8 nylon nut. Yes, I use nut lubricant. The Strings have been on a good while...two months...

www.lespaulforum.com

The slot is too narrow- widen it- and don't bother changing the nut

 

[brandtkronholm]

what to do? G string in particular I think and and B

I've had great success by putting pencil lead (graphite, actually) in the slots at the nut. It looks messy at first but it cleans up.
Seriously, take the string out of the slot and just scribble the pencil in the slot. Get plenty of graphite dust in there so it's good and slippery. Put the sting back and you're good to go!

 

[garywright]

unless the slot is too narrow

 

[Thunder Dump]

Definitely the nut. You can definitely widen the nut slot, but I've replaced a few CS poorly cut nuts causing tuning stability issues with a quality bone nut and the tuning has been rock solid ever since.

 

[CAGinLA]

As others have said, have a luthier check the nut slots to be sure they're filed correctly and also lubricate them every time you do a string change (pencil lead works great, but there are other products out there such as Big Bends Nut Sauce). You can also lube your saddle slots.

 

[corpse]

You can also lube your saddle slots.

But only occasionally or you will go blind

 

[jb_abides]

"S.L.O.T. ...it may be a nut but it lubes well for me."

 

[RaymondEllis]

I too have gone through this problem like you.

 

[pdfiddler]

Everyone, LUBE YOUR NUTS! yes, everyone.

 

[charliechitlins]

Minimal winds on the tuner post (2 is plenty), tune UP to pitch, and MOST important, properly cut nut slots.
This is all you need.
I have worked on hundreds of guitars that all stay in tune.

 

[djangolad]

I found tuning issues eliminated with use of graphite in the nut slots makes an incredible difference. Do that first then look to the saddles

 

[garywright]

Everyone, LUBE YOUR NUTS! yes, everyone.

you sure you’re on the correct website 😂

 

[Don 6]

This actually worked for me..

 

[charliechitlins]

This actually worked for me..

Could somebody put this in a nutshell?
Something tells me the maneuver could be done in less than 12 minutes.

 

[garywright]

sorry, couldn’t watch over 45 seconds

 

[Cholo]

sorry, couldn’t watch over 45 seconds

Do the luthier's knot but wind UP the peg versus down on the G, B and high E. The theory is this provides a straighter angle break from the tuning peg to the nut and allows the string to travel with less friction at the slot. I saw this video a long time ago and tried it, works for me.

 

[83Custom]

what to do? G string in particular I think and and B

Add a little bit of lube to the nut slots and saddles.

Ensure there are 3-4 wraps on the tuning posts when putting on each string. The big E, depending on the size of the tuning peg, may only allow 2-3 winds.

Tune to pitch.

Tug upwards on the strings at about the 5th, 10th and 15th frets.

Retune (always tuning up to pitch — never tune down to pitch).

Tug again on each string again as above.

Retune.

Tug again.

Retune.

The strings should now be sufficiently stretched and all the slack has been taken out of the windings on the posts.

 

[charliechitlins]

Do the luthier's knot but wind UP the peg versus down on the G, B and high E. The theory is this provides a straighter angle break from the tuning peg to the nut and allows the string to travel with less friction at the slot. I saw this video a long time ago and tried it, works for me.

Makes sense.
My Gibsons stay in tune.
I wind down the post, but only 1.5-2 turns, so the difference is minimal.
I'm going to try winding up.
Goodness knows there's more than enough headstock angle to lose a couple degrees of break by winding up the post.