US Strat Staying in Tune

Royale with Cheese

Bought a second hand US Strat a couple of years back. Very nice guitar, am very happy with it apart from one thing. It generally doesn't have a problem staying in tune, however I like to switch from regular tuning to open G the odd time and this is a bit of a pain in the ass. I need to tune it three times when first switching the tuning, and then a few more times after that once I've played in that tuning for a bit. Once it's settled in a certain tuning it'll then behave pretty well. I tried using it when gigging as a spare guitar but switching between tunings on stage became problematic so stopped gigging with it after a while.

What would be the main cause of this, the tremolo bridge? I could get that locked down, I rarely ever actually use the tremolo. I've also had a look at the locking machine heads that come on the Deluxe Strats, would that make any difference? I've read an article that states tuning problems with strats are as likely to be caused at the top of the neck as they are at the bridge.

feylya

So, you're tuning from standard to open G - you tune each string, one at a time, and then the first strings are out? Is that right? That's just because you're shifting tension in the neck. Happens on every guitar

Royale with Cheese

Nah I've plenty of guitars in my time. This one is a pain in the ass for changing tunings.

The Master

Echoing what feylya is saying, if it's a floating trem it will take a few tries to get all the strings in tune.
Other than that lube the bridge saddles and the nut etc. it might help

martinedwards

If you never trem then block the bridge.

the amount of neck movement is MINISCULE compared with how much a trem bridge will move.

I despise trems for exactly this reason!

nelly17

Truss rod could also be loose allowing the neck to flex a little too much but yeah if you dont use the trem just block it and stop it floating, clapton done that on his blackie strat

darrenw5094

If the bridge is floating, then when you detune any string, the other 5 strings will go sharp because the counter springs will pull slightly more than the 6 strings.

Block the trem with something.

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/HIPSHOT-Tremsetter-Tremolo-Trem-Stabilizer-System-NOS-/201006009051?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2ecce44adb

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/GuitarTechs-TREMOLO-STOPPER-BRIDGE-STABILIZER-Brass-for-Floyd-Rose-Fender-Trem-/261212949419?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item3cd1814bab

strongback

I have a couple of Fender strat a US and a Jap and the tuning is as the OP describes. I use an electronic tuner from the 1st to the 6st string and when I go back up to the 1st string it's out of tune, sometimes by a half tone.

I have the Jap strat over 20 years and the neck on it has a life of its own. I have had it professionally set up numerous times over the years but over time it just isn't that stable. It plays beautifully and I'd never part with it, too many memories.

You could look at a Floyd Rose to give confidence of being in tune on stage. Steve Vai when he played with Zappa used one on his fender strat and he was doing all kinds of extreme stuff.

Royale with Cheese

Cheers for the suggestions. I'm not currently using it on stage so it's not a major issue. In fact I never did, I play bass so was letting the guitarist in my band use it. We had a few songs in a weird tuning so decided it'd be quicker/easier to swap guitars on stage rather than detune. Couldn't have picked a worse guitar for the job really. Ended up using a battered old epiphone instead.

I had it setup when I got it and the guy asked if I wanted the bridge locked down. I said no, in hindsight maybe yes would have been the way to go.

cheesebiscuit

1. Get a philips head screwdriver.

2. Remove the six screws in the backplate.

3. Look at the springs. If you have any extra springs in the case, install. If not, move to step 4.

4. Tighten the two screws which hold in the claw which pulls the springs taut. Tighten them as hard as you can.

5. Replace the backplate and associated screws.

6. Return the screwdriver to where you found it.

7. Tune as desired. Tune up to the note you require. If you go sharp, tune flat and then tune up to the note you require.

Merry Christmas!

Royale with Cheese

Just an update on this in case anyone else ever experiences the same issue. I installed a set of Fender locking machine heads on the guitar a couple of days ago and it now behaves much better. Swapping between two different tunings is now pretty much like it would be on any other guitar. Not sure if there was something wrong with the original machine heads, but swapping them out seems to have sorted the problem anyway.

strongback

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Just an update on this in case anyone else ever experiences the same issue. I installed a set of Fender locking machine heads on the guitar a couple of days ago and it now behaves much better. Swapping between two different tunings is now pretty much like it would be on any other guitar. Not sure if there was something wrong with the original machine heads, but swapping them out seems to have sorted the problem anyway.

What did the machine heads set you back and were they easy to install.

Royale with Cheese

Spoke too soon, problem still there. It's definitely the bridge so. Oh well, at least changing strings is piss easy now.

darrenw5094

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Spoke too soon, problem still there. It's definitely the bridge so. Oh well, at least changing strings is piss easy now.

I couldn't understand how the tuner would affect the bridge which is floating. Anyway, you need to block the trem either with a device or DIY.