Hwy 1 won't stay in tune

[CrimsonHighway1]

Hi.
Yup, I'm a NooB...and I joined here with absolutely NO intention of winning a strat.

I recently picked up an '05 Highway 1 on e-bay. It seems to be in great shape but it will not stay in tune (it seems to be stock). What is most likely the cause? Tuning pegs? Tremelo bridge? Strings? (I have new strings but I don't want to put them on and wreck them if I've gotta replace something anyway)

While trying to tune it I can't get a proper reading on my RP-100 guitar modeller - I'll tune a string (say the high E) to another guitar and plug into the modeller and it shows that I'm no where near E (reads like a G). I also think that the intonation is off.

Another thing I notice is that the tremelo arm has a lot of play in it. Like the threads are loose (and I can't go another turn with the arm).

Thanks for taking the time.

[jerryo]

Make sure the tuning peg nuts are snug...

Make sure the neck attachment screws are snugged down

Also on my H1 I put in 5 springs since I dont use the whammy at all....its

flush against the body.(Floating trems are too cantankerous)

Put a good new set of strings on her and wrap the string trees properly

and it should be ok.

Mine rarely needs a tune once its set.

These are nice instruments

[Toadlc]

I think the #1 reason that guitars don't stay in tune is improper winding of strings on the tuning peg. Check out this article on locking the strings.

Changing Your Strings - | Basic Guita... Easy Chords |

Tuners have worm gears, they can't back up except to take the gear lash out. That being said, you should always tune up to pitch. If you're sharp go below the note & back up to it.

Hope this helps.

[S. Rock]

Originally Posted by WineHighway1

Hi.
Yup, I'm a NooB...and I joined here with absolutely NO intention of winning a strat.

I recently picked up an '05 Highway 1 on e-bay. It seems to be in great shape but it will not stay in tune (it seems to be stock). What is most likely the cause? Tuning pegs? Tremelo bridge? Strings? (I have new strings but I don't want to put them on and wreck them if I've gotta replace something anyway)

While trying to tune it I can't get a proper reading on my RP-100 guitar modeller - I'll tune a string (say the high E) to another guitar and plug into the modeller and it shows that I'm no where near E (reads like a G). I also think that the intonation is off.

Another thing I notice is that the tremelo arm has a lot of play in it. Like the threads are loose (and I can't go another turn with the arm).

Thanks for taking the time.

a couple of things raise a flag to me. 1) the strings could be binding in the nut. 2) as has been mentioned, the trem may need to be tightened down. 3) it also sounds like the trem arm is "stripped" out. so, the trem may need to be replaced anyway. I would suggest finding a good luthier to give it a proper set-up. other than that it sounds like you got a pretty good deal.

[Toadlc]

Originally Posted by S. Rock

a couple of things raise a flag to me. 1) the strings could be binding in the nut.

That's another good possibility.

[Iagent]

My Strat is a MIM, but may be similar with the trem. Mine has play which irritates me, so I wrapped the threads with pipe dope, and it works well.

[CrimsonHighway1]

Originally Posted by S. Rock

other than that it sounds like you got a pretty good deal.

Well, at least I have an American strat again (it's been about 20 years since I sold the '77 that I ordered brand new - why in the world did I do that?). I won't mind putting a little money into it (over time) to improve it.

Originally Posted by Toadlc

I think the #1 reason that guitars don't stay in tune is improper winding of strings on the tuning peg. Check out this article on locking the strings.

Hope this helps.

Ya know, I NEVER really knew the proper way to string a guitar. Now I have a much better understanding - thanks

[CrimsonHighway1]

Originally Posted by Iagent

My Strat is a MIM, but may be similar with the trem. Mine has play which irritates me, so I wrapped the threads with pipe dope, and it works well.

My local guitar shop told me to give the threads one wind of teflon tape...which I haven't done yet.

[StratmanNick]

Welcome.

You've had some good sound advise as posted from above members.

First off....change those strings. While your doing that also carefully put some graphite (very thin pencil nib is best so as not to expand the nut grooves) in the nut. And as mentioned, a good amount of string wind on on your tuning pegs. I usually have two on bottom E, three on A,D and around four on G,B and top E.

Hope I read you right on your Trem Arm problem - The trem arm play may be simply that you need a spring added where the trem arm winds into the bridge?

Good luck and let us know how you get on

[determined2play]

Remember to stretch the strings properly once they have been inbstalled. If the guitar you purchased has new strings on it and they were not stretched, every time you bend the string while playing it will go out of tune as well.

Best of luck with guitar, and please post a pic of it.

[johnreardon]

Originally Posted by determined2play

Remember to stretch the strings properly once they have been inbstalled. If the guitar you purchased has new strings on it and they were not stretched, every time you bend the string while playing it will go out of tune as well.

Best of luck with guitar, and please post a pic of it.

stretching is extremely important when changing strings. Many people I meet who say they have tuning issues never spend any time stretching. I spend 5-10 mins whenever I change the strings.

I go through roughly the same routine each time. First I wind up the strings to where they are roughly in tune with one of my other guitars. Then grasp each string in turn, roughly around the middle pup of a Strat and almost bounce the guitar up and down a few time.

After I have done this, I re-rune to another guitar again and then hit a few chords, usually E and A, playing something like 'Not Fade Away'. Re-tune to another guitar again and bounce the guitar with each string again.

Finally re-tune to a tuner and play a few notes and chords. May do some fine adjustments.

This works for me and I never have tuning issues, with any guitar and very rarely break a string

[CrimsonHighway1]

Originally Posted by StratmanNick

Welcome.

Hope I read you right on your Trem Arm problem - The trem arm play may be simply that you need a spring added where the trem arm winds into the bridge?

I'm pretty sure that's not the problem that I'm refering to, although springs could be an issue in and of themselves. The Trem Arm moves over a half inch in any direction without causing any movement of the bridge. It's not a snug fit in the threads.

[Strat-Man-Do]

Always try the inexpensive route first. Like a string hanging up on the Nut. The Stock TMs are so-so but should be able to hold a Tune with a couple wraps.

Trems are is gonna be to your own liking. I've played them snug and actually prefer they are a little loose.

[Offshore Angler]

John's advice seems sound. I'll also add that changing out old strings will solve most tuning problems. In fact, that's the sign it's time to change them, you can't tune properly.

I also look at the nut, which is the number two source of tuning and intonatin problems, and seems to be the Achilles heel of Fender production lately.

[Lowdown]

Thoroughly read this. - .:: Fender®.co.uk ::. - And then,read it again.

[CrimsonHighway1]

Thanks Lowdown. Very informative. The kind of stuff I need.

Honestly, I'm not a very good player or anything. I took probably a 20 year hiatus from playing (got married, had & helped raise children - though my wife deserves most of the credit for that)...but I've never come across a guitar that wouldn't stay in tune like this one...and I never ever did half of the things that you guys/gals have suggested. My '02 Tele Custom still has the ORIGINAL strings and stays perfectly in tune. (I ordered the Tele new). I've owned 8 guitars over the years (have 4 now) although this is the first one with a tremelo set up (my '77 strat was a hardtail).

Now that I'm gathering How To information from you helpful people I'll set some time aside to restring, lube, adjust, etc. and see if 'WE' can set it straight.

[kdda191]

Originally Posted by WineHighway1

Thanks Lowdown. Very informative. The kind of stuff I need.

Honestly, I'm not a very good player or anything. I took probably a 20 year hiatus from playing (got married, had & helped raise children - though my wife deserves most of the credit for that)...but I've never come across a guitar that wouldn't stay in tune like this one...and I never ever did half of the things that you guys/gals have suggested. My '02 Tele Custom still has the ORIGINAL strings and stays perfectly in tune. (I ordered the Tele new). I've owned 8 guitars over the years (have 4 now) although this is the first one with a tremelo set up (my '77 strat was a hardtail).

Now that I'm gathering How To information from you helpful people I'll set some time aside to restring, lube, adjust, etc. and see if 'WE' can set it straight.

Trem's are overrated and a hassle. Put 5 strings in it, or block it and make a hardtail. JMO

[elementlax]

^^^i think its safe to assume kdda191 meant 5 springs, not strings

well it just sound to me like your not used to the tuning issues that come with a tremolo.
stretch you strings, string it right, lube the nut with graphite (coloring the slots with a pencil will do), and i removed the lower string tree (on 'g' and 'd' strings) and that greatly improved my tuning as well. you have to have the string tree on for the 'b' and 'high e' string or the tuning will go crap.

[jgillard]

I just applied a bit of vasoline to the string trees and the nut slots. Worked like a charm. The issue with graphite on a white nut is it can dirty the nut :P

[elementlax]

you only do it to the slots, and if it gets on other parts you erase it

[jgillard]

you only do it to the slots, and if it gets on other parts you erase it

True, but vasoline seems to work just as well for me and stayed where I put it!

[kdda191]

Originally Posted by elementlax

^^^i think its safe to assume kdda191 meant 5 springs, not strings

well it just sound to me like your not used to the tuning issues that come with a tremolo.
stretch you strings, string it right, lube the nut with graphite (coloring the slots with a pencil will do), and i removed the lower string tree (on 'g' and 'd' strings) and that greatly improved my tuning as well. you have to have the string tree on for the 'b' and 'high e' string or the tuning will go crap.

HAHAHA! Good catch! Guess I should not have 2 police scanners on, my Sirius Sat radio on, and talk to my better half b*tching about it snowing while trying to type! I did mean 5 sPrings not sTrings.

[elementlax]

haha, snow?!?
its 75* here in OHIO. knowing the great consistent ohio weather there will probably be an ice storm tomorrow at 18*

[Donovan]

One thing that can cause erratic readings with electronic tuners is having the pickups too close to the strings. The closer you get, the stronger the magnetic pull of the pickup poles. As the string vibrates, if the poles are close enough, it will generate "wolf tones", a sort of oscillation between the intended frequency and a false frequency created by the pickup pole. Electronic tuners do not like this and the wolf tones in general make the instrument sound less than ideal.

[CrimsonHighway1]

Originally Posted by Donovan

One thing that can cause erratic readings with electronic tuners is having the pickups too close to the strings.

Ahh. OK, issue # 29.5a pick up position.
Some of the 'poles' (for lack of correct terminology) are higher than others on my pickups. As well as the pickups themselves are raised above the pickguard.

The poles on strings 1 & 2 (E & B) are about flush with the pickup housing.
3 & 4 are raised the highest.
and 5 & 6 are raised but not as high.

The pickups themselves are raised higher on the 1 & 2 string side than on the 5 & 6 string side.

Is this at all normal?
Should the poles all be flush with the pickup housing....and the housings be flush with the pickgurad?
And how does one adjust the poles?

(I'm learning at lot here today)

BTW - I just got back from the music store with a string winder and an OnStage stand for my Ovation (but the Strat can use it sometimes too )

[elementlax]

the poles are supposed to be staggered and stick up from the covers. the covers usually are not flush, because you can adjust them for sound preference. i dont think its the pups that are the problem.

[CandyAppleHead]

Just a long shot...this G note reading from your tuner - have you played the guitar plugged in yet? It's just that the electrical hum from a guitar is close to the same frequency as G, suggesting that there's actually no string sound coming out of the guitar.

[CrimsonHighway1]

Candy - I play (plugged in) through the Digitech RP-100 guitar modeler into my Fender Frontman amp or into the Gretch amp...and I use the RP-100 to tune with. It works fine with my Tele Custom.
And it's not a G reading for every string. I don't recall what every string reads but it's certainly way off from what it should be reading.

oh, and I see we're both from ______ England. Just far away from each other.

[BOD2]

I would say that you have to try those new strings and see if that improves things.

There's not much that can go wrong on a guitar that would affect the tuning of an OPEN string (assuming that you actually get a proper sound through your amp, which it seems you do).

Intonation will affect fretted notes but not open strings. If the strings are old then they won't need stretched. If the strings are not wound on the posts properly you should still be able to get a good strong note on an open string for the tuner.

Besides, anything that needs adjusted can almost certainly be done with the new strings in place.

So - change the strings. Wind them on carefully according to the guides posted here. Make sure you stretch them properly. And finally.... always tune UP to a note, never down. If you go past the note you're tuning to, tune down back past the note then tune up to it again. This keeps the gearing in the tuning pegs tighter and avoids any "backlash" or "slippage".

Good luck.

[Boris Bubbanov]

Originally Posted by BOD2

I would say that you have to try those new strings and see if that improves things.

Yes. No way around it, old strings are the #1 reason why guitars won't stay in tune.

If you're experiencing a block over stringing up with conventional die cast tuners, retrofit your guitar to Gotoh split shafts (you'll need conversion bushings also) I've done this to all but my G + Ls and it is go nice to be able to pop a string on and off a guitar without tying it, or doing the loop-de-loop, and the tuning is super stable. Otherwise, you could retrofit for Sperzel lockers. Heavier, not quite as convenient for donning and doffing strings but universes better than those cheap die casts that come stock on that guitar.