*URGENT - My Guitar won't get in tune

FruitarGeek

I am recording tomorrow, so put new strings on my Fender, but the problem is the E string (small E). I put it on as normal, in the hole, then twist and twist until I get it to key, but then it IMMEDIATELY starts going out of tune. Yes, I know this is typical for guitars, but this is extreme. It will go from something like E to A in a minute. The more I twist the more it tunes then detunes until the string just comes off the turning head. Fortunately the string isn't broken, but it's so curled at the top that it makes it nearly impossible to get back in the hole again. The string just comes off now. This is so frustrating, but its not the first time it's happened.

Please help

ezietsman

you must wind it around the peg more times, there's not enough friction to keep it in place now.

FruitarGeek

ez wrote: you must wind it around the peg more times, there's not enough friction to keep it in place now.

It will hold in place, but the more I tune to get it to key, it will just snap off. I always think it breaks everytime, but it doesn't

costafonix

are you sure the problem may not be on the other end at the bridge? seems like something is slipping,,??

ezietsman

It unwinds itself. More windings will stop that from happening. Happened to me (first time in 11 years) the other day. Maybe your tuning peg is too smooth for some reason. Worn smooth maybe?

FruitarGeek

CostaFonix wrote: are you sure the problem may not be on the other end at the bridge? seems like something is slipping,,??

I am not going to dismiss any idea, although I'm sure its comming from the neck/or the Peg. Although I would'nt really know where to check if it where the bridge, the saddle and everything seems fine

ez wrote: It unwinds itself. More windings will stop that from happening. Happened to me (first time in 11 years) the other day. Maybe your tuning peg is too smooth for some reason. Worn smooth maybe?

Okay. Well, im kinda screwed now as the string is too short now (had to clip some away). Let me see if I can find a spare

costafonix

Adrian Rogowski wrote:
CostaFonix wrote: are you sure the problem may not be on the other end at the bridge? seems like something is slipping,,??
I am not going to dismiss any idea, although I'm sure its comming from the neck/or the Peg. Although I would'nt really know where to check if it where the bridge, the saddle and everything seems fine

check that there's no old broken bit of string inside the hole of the bridge where the string is routed through,

FruitarGeek

Well I feel a bit silly, but it seems ez you are correct. All my strings are tuned correctly, I didn't really consider length of the string to be a factor. But thank you. You learn something new everyday.

singemonkey

If it comes off the tuning peg - then it's the tuning peg. End of story. Normally it won't do that - irrespective of what's going on on the other end.

Good that you sorted it. Better in future to restring a couple days before the big day so that the strings can stretch out. I hope you have spares in case of breaks?

FruitarGeek

I will now ? ha ha

DonRoos

On my 12-string when dealing with very thin, vey long strings (G octave .009 normally) I used to get this. I started looping the string TWICE through the hole and pulling it tight with a plier and it held better. The it would snap easier as the edge betwen where the hole exited the peg was too sharp. So I would stick a piece of tape round the peg first and make holes in it for the string to be threaded through and that seemed to solve the problem.

I am still looking for a decent tuning head to replace the original with as it is not very accurate or smooth to solve the problem completely.

slyd

On your thinner strings, always do a non-slip back-twist of your string on the post.

I hope this quick pik explains it. So quick, when stringing, and the string will NEVER slip on the post again!

Place tag end of string thru hole in tuning post, pull tag end back around post and under string entry point on post. Pull tag end up, and tighten string. As the string tightens, the more pressure it puts on the underwrapped piece, ensuring no slippage.

IMHO ?

21Fretter

I think it's the same technique as slyd was explaining, thought I'd upload this anyway. Can never have too much information

slyd

Scuse my ruff drawing ?
But yeah, thems the one!

Manfred-Klose

so did you get your guitar sorted for the recording ?