Im going to have to get a robot before I destroy one of my guitars

stu

I dont know about you guys but I just want to throw my guitar up against the wall when the G string goes out of tune.
I have to stop play about 5 minutes ago or else I would have had one less guitar. The G string on my strat just randomly started going out of tune every time I bent it. It was fine yesterday.

This is the reason I dont play my les paul anymore. When I just played a chord on it the G string would go out.

Do you guys have as much trouble with your G strings as I do?

Ya, Im just waiting for all the lame jokes.....

costafonix

have you noticed whether it chokes on the nut while you're tuning it? the smoothness of the nut slots is a good place to check if you're having tuning problems.

StephenG

funny you mention this, I have a strat now that the G also goes out every day for no apparent reason.

my other 3 strats - no problms, but this one particular strat. tune it each day - and if i leave it alone for a while and come back - its like 2 steps down.
i have tightened the tension screw on the tuning head to maximum.. and now just ordered an entire new set of tuners...

no idea what it does it >☹

Reinhard

Some tips:

1.Put some pencil lead/graphite in the nut slots
2.Make sure you get enough winds around the post (I do this with all the unwound strings).
3.There is a technique where you "lock" the string onto itself when putting new strings on.
4.Stretch your strings properly after putting new strings on.
5.When tuning, take the string flat and then tune up to the right note.
6.Make sure the string doesn't bind in the nut slot (this causes a "ping" sound when playing/tuning)

Averatu

Ditto on the pencil lead.

stu

Thanks for the tips guys. I need to do something about that les paul very soon.

I just find it weird how ever guitar I have its the G that goes out.

singemonkey

But why the G. I always have many more problems with G string tuning than any other string - on every guitar. Is it because it's too thick for an unwound string? That's the only theory I've got.

Wizard

While we're on this subject.
Why does the G string sound more "nasal" than any of the others?

pand3m0niium

Reinhard wrote: Some tips:

1.Put some pencil lead/graphite in the nut slots
2.Make sure you get enough winds around the post (I do this with all the unwound strings).
3.There is a technique where you "lock" the string onto itself when putting new strings on.
4.Stretch your strings properly after putting new strings on.
5.When tuning, take the string flat and then tune up to the right note.
6.Make sure the string doesn't bind in the nut slot (this causes a "ping" sound when playing/tuning)

I will try to remember these for my hour of need.

~~On a side note, the immature part of me finds it amusing imagining you guys are talking about the underwear rather than guitar string.~~

AlanRatcliffe

As others have posted, it's usually binding in the nut (or string trees on a Strat).

singemonkey wrote: Is it because it's too thick for an unwound string? That's the only theory I've got.

The G is more problematic because basically it should be a wound string, but wound strings don't come thin enough for modern electric guitar sets (thinnest I've seen is an .017w). Modern string sets are balanced for a more consistent feel across strings, rather than tonality or stability. You can go slightly heavier on your G, which will improve tonality and tuning stability, but at the expense of flexibility and playability - it will feel a lot stiffer and be harder to bend.

Wizard wrote: Why does the G string sound more "nasal" than any of the others?

In addition to the above, vintage-style Strat pickups with staggered polepieces usually have the vintage stagger - which was made for wound G strings, so an unwound G will jump out as louder and brasher.

Norman86

Reinhard wrote: Some tips:

3.There is a technique where you "lock" the string onto itself when putting new strings on.

Are you talking about the Martin Guitars locking method?
I myself have no winds on my strat nor acoustic, both are strung in this style!

Malkav

G-strings...sigh...

I once broke one while fingering a minor...?

From what I understand though the afore-mentioned, guitars were designed with a wound G in mind is pretty much the reason for it ? A good setup will go a long way in helping lessen the issue. Intonation is crucial in this respect ?

Lethe

Chad Adam Browne wrote: I once broke one while fingering a minor...?

FTW! ?

Malkav

DonovanB

On that, what is the purpose of string trees?

also sometimes the intonation on the G is rather finnicky. +1 to a proper setup

Kalcium

String trees increase the break angle over the nut which aids with sustain.

Thats another point i remember reading, try a little bit of vaseline under the string trees to increase tuning stability as well...Basically the idea is the less friction at the nut, the string trees etc the more likely the string is to return to its previous position and thus remain in tune, if it sticks it may not return to its original position and this changes the tension and thus what note is heard.

Kalcium

I'd never heard of the string locking technique before but after some googling I found this : http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/repair/acoustic-guitar/string-changing.php
I wanna change my strings now just to try it out! haha ?

Norman86

Kalcium wrote: I'd never heard of the string locking technique before but after some googling I found this : http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/repair/acoustic-guitar/string-changing.php
I wanna change my strings now just to try it out! haha ?

Jip, thats the method i was taught and the method in which my guitars are strung!
plus it looks good! and its easy to do!

DonovanB

Thanks Kalcium.

Although the graphite or pencil is a better lubrication. That I do remember from me years making grease, Graphite is the best. My ballie used to put pencil lead in their guns in the Congo, never had a jam.

Bob-Dubery

Kalcium wrote: Thats another point i remember reading, try a little bit of vaseline under the string trees to increase tuning stability as well...

Surely you'd want a lubricant that isn't going to be so sticky? Substances like vaseline are going to hold any grime and dust that they encounter. I'd think a dry lubricant such as graphite would do a better job.