Tuning Frustration

TomCat

I'm having a very frustrating time with my ARC300.

My E and A strings seem to drift when the string is plucked to tune it.

It is not the usual sudden sharp then settle on tune during the sustain but rather a drift sharp and then flat again to in tune over about 2 seconds. If you tune slightly flat then the string still goes a little sharp drifts back flat again.

The rest of the strings do not do this.

I changed the strings when I bought the guitar.....currently 09's

Mariann's AFS 75 has just come back from a setup and is now UBER stable and such a pleasure to play. When I tune her guitar the strings do not do the same thing as the 5th and 6th strings on my guitar.

Is it:

A. - Guitar setup....This has not been done yet but it will go in next month for a full setup.
B. - Strings themselves. The new strings are D'Addario EXL 120

I was very careful when fitting the new strings that the winding of the strings onto the tuners was done correctly.

My suspicion is it's the strings but and comments / suggestions will be helpful.

AlanRatcliffe

Almost certainly the strings.

Another possibility, but unlikely with a humbucker guitar, is powerful magnets pulling the string out of tune. As you pluck the string it moves into the magnetic field and gets pulled sharp and as amplitude drops, it moves out and goes back into tune. Try lower the bass side of the neck pickup a little and see if things improve.

TomCat

Thanks Alan.

Never thought of string pull. I'll adjust and see what happens. I did adjust the bass side of the neck pick up a while ago the thicken the tone of the neck pick up.

Will let you know.......

TomCat

Yup....It seems string pull was the issue.

I lowered both the neck and bridge pickups a bit and the tuning became more stable.

Intonation is more stable now as well. The guitar tone has also improved and sustains better.

Thanks Alan.

MikeM

Yow man! How cloes did you have those pups?

TomCat

Not really that close.

Anyway just checked again and the E string (6th) is still definitely drifting.

I'll replace the set tomorrow and see what happens. I see most of you use Ernie Ball Slinky's so I'll give them a try.
http://www.ernieball.com/products/category-916-Nickel-Wound/#/product/Super-Slinky-Nickel-Wound-009---042-Pink-pack-

BTW the lower PUPS definitely sound better so I'll keep them lower anyways. Still have plenty of output.

EDIT: I must say that when I put these strings on about a month ago with the higher PUP height I didn't have this problem so its either the strings themselves or the change in temperature - i.e. current cold winter snap.

Bob-Dubery

TomCat wrote
EDIT: I must say that when I put these strings on about a month ago with the higher PUP height I didn't have this problem so its either the strings themselves or the change in temperature - i.e. current cold winter snap.

Unless they're coated strings then a month is pushing it a bit if you're playing everyday. Strings will pick up little bits of muck and grime that will alter the weight and thus the way that they vibrate. Following your posts it seems that the problem went away for a while and then came back - which says "old strings" to me.

You might want to try a coated string (Elixirs being the most obvious choice, but there are others) or changing your strings more often. Or perhaps cleaning your strings after playing - that can extend life and also reduce fret wear a little.

Do you keep the guitar in a case when you're not playing?

Heath

i had the same problem with a set of exl110 not so long ago , imo bomb the strongs and put on a new set .

DonovanB

TomCat wrote BTW the lower PUPS definitely sound better so I'll keep them lower anyways. Still have plenty of output.

I believe you get better tone control from lower pups.

MikeM

DonovanB wrote
TomCat wrote BTW the lower PUPS definitely sound better so I'll keep them lower anyways. Still have plenty of output.
I believe you get better tone control from lower pups.

Why would you say that?

aubs1

Hey Tom, try 10's. in my experience 9's are not very happy with all guitars.....but all the other things mentioned by Alan and others are valid points as well! Worth a try.

Bob Dubery wrote You might want to try a coated string (Elixirs being the most obvious choice, but there are others) or changing your strings more often. Or perhaps cleaning your strings after playing - that can extend life and also reduce fret wear a little.
Do you keep the guitar in a case when you're not playing?

I use Elixers and don't change them that often......Cleaning after playing....now that should be like religion! About keeping a guitar in a case.....should be an obsession.... all worth looking into, I agree, Bob.

And thanx once more for the advice and chat yesterday, the forum does have lots of advantages........!

DonovanB

MikeM wrote Why would you say that?

I think I read it somewhere. It has something to do with the proximity of the magnets and the strength of the magnetic field. I'll hunt for more info... stay tuned.

AlanRatcliffe

Strings lose tension as they get older and become more sensitive to such things. D'Addarios are a bit lower to start with. The string pull is always there

I like my pickups set fairly low - tonally they become softer, smoother, more rounded, and get more of the body resonance - especially with more microphonic pickups. If you crank them closer to the strings they get more aggressive (as well as louder, obviously) with a more focussed sound. Neither is better IMO - just different.

DonovanB

here we go...
http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/Tone%20Tips_%20Pickup%20Heights/

TomCat

Thanks all for the advice....Much appreciated.

I do keep my guit in a soft bag so it does not collect dust. I also give it a good wipe down after playing so things are nice and clean etc...

@ Alan. The lower PUP height is smoother and has more sustain....obviously less string pull to mess things up.

@ Aubs. It was a pleasure..... ?. I'll also try 10's as you suggested as the higher tension might also help. The guitar came with 10's originally and maybe the current setup of the guitar from the factory prefers 10's to 09's.

I'm also going to try the EB Slinky's as well as their tension is higher. I did notice that the tension of my current strings seemed to be very low and maybe that's a contributing factor..... :-\

HeHe....one never stops learning does one........ ?

aubs1

TomCat wrote Thanks all for the advice....Much appreciated.
I'll also try 10's as you suggested as the higher tension might also help. The guitar came with 10's originally and maybe the current setup of the guitar from the factory prefers 10's to 09's.
HeHe....one never stops learning does one........ ?=

Hey Tom, I would try the 10s first, as you say the guitar came with 10s.......then ride it out for a while before trying the next thing. Its the simplest, and maybe cheapest to start with.
Just my opinion. Good luck, mate.

TomCat

Got some EB Slinky 10's.

Going to fit them tonight and see what happens.

TomCat

OH HAPPY DAYS.....changed the strings to EB Sliky 10's and all is perfect...... ?arty:

Also lowered the bridge slightly and I am very happy now. Tone is certainly better and fuller than before and now has even more sustain. BTW I have lifted the PUPs as well and tuning is still stable.

MikeM

Nice ? I love my 10-52s ?

aubs1

TomCat wrote OH HAPPY DAYS.....changed the strings to EB Sliky 10's and all is perfect...... ?arty:
Also lowered the bridge slightly and I am very happy now. Tone is certainly better and fuller than before and now has even more sustain. BTW I have lifted the PUPs as well and tuning is still stable.

I'm really happy to hear that the 10's solved your problem. Sometimes we overlook little things and try to go find, like my best friend in CT would say: "Die spook agter die berg!" ........ now get Rock'nRolling!!!!!! ?

I am a 9's fanatic though......