Rob_J
Joined: Sep 29, 2007
Posts: 500
Sacto, CA
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Posted on Oct 21 2013 03:47 PM
I have recently acquired a Classic Player's Jaguar that has a great sound and is really fun to play but it continually goes out of tune. I've done the usual steps to address this such as using nut sauce on the string tree and nut slots but it has not made a difference. Should I consider changing to a graphite nut? Or what other steps can I take to make the tuning more stable???
Everything is stock on the guitar right now. It is REALLY frustrating because I like this guitar a lot and would like to be able to get through more than a song or two before it drifts out of tune.
Last edited: Oct 21, 2013 15:47:48
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tubeswell
Joined: Sep 24, 2011
Posts: 1424
Wellington, NZ
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Posted on Oct 22 2013 04:43 AM
Is it any particular string that goes out of tune, or is it all of them?
— He who dies with the most tubes... wins
Surf Daddies
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PrestonRice
Joined: Oct 05, 2012
Posts: 1725
Austin, Texas
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Posted on Oct 22 2013 06:51 AM
Cuz jags suuuuuuuuuuuck. Get a real guitar, like a jackson or a charvel.
— IMO.
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da-ron
Joined: Jan 02, 2009
Posts: 1307
The original Plymouth, UK.
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Posted on Oct 22 2013 07:06 AM
I have CP jazzmaster and that stays in tune pretty well. It's more likely due to the bridge more than the nut. A bit of graphite here helps, and check that the bridge isn't dropping.
— http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/
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psychonaut
Joined: Dec 08, 2007
Posts: 1304
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Posted on Oct 22 2013 07:28 AM
- Make sure the nut is properly cut for the gauge of string you are using.
- Make sure it's properly lubricated and free from dirt or rough edges.
- Use more windings at the tuners. I like at least 4 per string.
- When you stretch the strings, the point isn't to stretch them but rather to lock the string windings on the tuners. Make sure there is no slippage in the windings
- Make sure there are no burrs or rough spots on the bridge and that it's not slipping down. This is very common on cheap hardware. Locktite or just years of dirt and gunk are the cure for this.
- Make sure the tuners aren't wobbly and stay tight
— https://www.facebook.com/coffindagger
http://coffindaggers.com/
http://thecoffindaggers.bandcamp.com
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Oct 22 2013 09:02 AM
Rob_J wrote:
I have recently acquired a Classic Player's Jaguar that has a great sound and is really fun to play but it continually goes out of tune. I've done the usual steps to address this such as using nut sauce on the string tree and nut slots but it has not made a difference. Should I consider changing to a graphite nut? Or what other steps can I take to make the tuning more stable???
Everything is stock on the guitar right now. It is REALLY frustrating because I like this guitar a lot and would like to be able to get through more than a song or two before it drifts out of tune.
Define 'continually out of tune'.
It is my experience that it is hard to make a guitar go out of tune even with lots of trem use.
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supertonesurf
Joined: Apr 28, 2006
Posts: 419
n.y.c.
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Posted on Oct 22 2013 10:21 AM
you're probably using too light of strings I have a AVRI Jag and I use 13 on it and it never ever goes out of tune even on gigs where I play for 5 hours in the tropic on the beach with really high humidity.. jags and JMs they were never meant to have anything lighter than 11 on them if you want to use lighter strings go with a strat .......
— Facebook pages theSupertones
or @ Timothy C Sullivan
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Hammond101
Joined: Feb 22, 2013
Posts: 342
SoCal USA
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Posted on Oct 22 2013 11:26 AM
To add to the above. Make sure the spring tension on the bridge is correctly adjusted. Too much or too little and you may have tuning issues.
Does it go flat or sharp?
— Keep it Drippy Brothers and Sisters!
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Rob_J
Joined: Sep 29, 2007
Posts: 500
Sacto, CA
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Posted on Oct 22 2013 12:31 PM
A lot of good points addressed by you guys. In the way of a little more info:
"and check that the bridge isn't dropping"
The bridge WAS dropping when I first got it. I solved that (I think) by putting some mylar washers under the screw wheels to prevents the bridge from dropping beyond a certain point.
"Is it any particular string that goes out of tune, or is it all of them?"
Typically it seems to be the lower E and A and the notorious G string.
"Define 'continually out of tune'."
The last two gigs that I used this guitar on, I would have to tune after every one to two songs. Sometimes it was just a "little" off and other times a lot! It happens in rehearsals too.
"Use more windings at the tuners. I like at least 4 per string."
That is a valid suggestion. I usually do that but noticed that this last string change I used less windings than I would normally use - not sure why I did that but that's easy enough to fix.
"you're probably using too light of strings "
I'm using 11s. Maybe I'll go with 12s and see how it does.
"Does it go flat or sharp?"
Usually it goes sharp.
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supertonesurf
Joined: Apr 28, 2006
Posts: 419
n.y.c.
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Posted on Oct 22 2013 02:06 PM
I have always put electrical tape around the bridge feet so it will fit snugly into the bridge holes and of course change the old bridge to a mustang bridge this will make a big differences in it staying in tune .....
— Facebook pages theSupertones
or @ Timothy C Sullivan
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crumble
Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 3158
Guildford England
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Posted on Oct 22 2013 02:58 PM
I had a Mexican Strat which wouldn't stay in tune and I never did figure out why, I sold it on asap.
One thing I did notice was the enlarged hole in the top of the vintage Kluson type tuners. With my Japanese type Kluson (Gotoh?)i'd push the string in, bend it over and wind it up. But with the Mexican the string would always be popping out and making hard work of re-stringing.
It got me wondering if the Mexican tuners were a completely different variety of Kluson clone and possibly a little sub-standard.
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tubeswell
Joined: Sep 24, 2011
Posts: 1424
Wellington, NZ
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Posted on Oct 22 2013 05:59 PM
Rob_J wrote:
"and check that the bridge isn't dropping"
The bridge WAS dropping when I first got it. I solved that (I think) by putting some mylar washers under the screw wheels to prevents the bridge from dropping beyond a certain point.
"Is it any particular string that goes out of tune, or is it all of them?"
Typically it seems to be the lower E and A and the notorious G string.
Sounds like the bridge is still dropping.
Put some small, appropriately-threaded, nuts on the bridge-post screws and tighten these against post bottoms at the desired screw-height in order to lock the post screws in place
— He who dies with the most tubes... wins
Surf Daddies
Last edited: Oct 22, 2013 18:00:20
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PrestonRice
Joined: Oct 05, 2012
Posts: 1725
Austin, Texas
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Posted on Oct 22 2013 07:21 PM
Gah. Skip the drama, just get a real guitar. Srsly.
— IMO.
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Oct 22 2013 09:50 PM
supertonesurf wrote:
you're probably using too light of strings I have a AVRI Jag and I use 13 on it and it never ever goes out of tune even on gigs where I play for 5 hours in the tropic on the beach with really high humidity.. jags and JMs they were never meant to have anything lighter than 11 on them if you want to use lighter strings go with a strat .......
You can use any strings you want to on a Jag. If it doesn't work, your guitar isn't set up well.
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PrestonRice
Joined: Oct 05, 2012
Posts: 1725
Austin, Texas
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Posted on Oct 22 2013 09:52 PM
Pffft! It doesn't work cause it's a damn toy. Jags SUUUUUCKKK.
— IMO.
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casey
Joined: May 18, 2006
Posts: 521
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Posted on Oct 23 2013 03:28 AM
Some use loc-tite (?sp) on each of the threaded post that hold the string guides off of the bridge and also on the "feet" of the bridge. I believe there are different grades, some of which can easily be broken loose if necessary. Also, the break angle of the strings over the bridge may affect tuning stability - too little angle and there is little downward pressure on the bridge. The down pressure should help prevent movement of the adjusting threaded posts. In addition to using a lubricant on the nut, the slots in the nut must be wide enough to allow the string to slide back into position when doing bends or using the vibrato arm.
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palo
Joined: Apr 23, 2012
Posts: 421
fresno california u.s.a.
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Posted on Oct 23 2013 04:15 AM
prestonrice i suggest kramer i love kramers ,but charvel and jackson are nice too.
Last edited: Oct 23, 2013 04:16:25
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Matt22
Joined: Feb 15, 2007
Posts: 2853
Fredericksburg, Virginia
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Posted on Oct 23 2013 06:13 AM
I love Jaguars and never had a problem with them going out of tune. I would check the nut and use heavier strings. Friends of mine had problems with MIJ Mustangs going out of tune and the culprit was the nut each time.
You may just want to check into getting a floyd rose locking system, or as Preston and Palo suggested, get one of those hellacool guitars with the hocky stick headstocks that allows you to really shred.
Seriously, though, check the nut. 
— Matt "tha Kat" Lentz
Skippy and the Skipjacks: 2018-2020
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https://www.facebook.com/skippyandtheskipjacks
Otto and the Ottomans: 2014-2015
The Coconauts surf band: 2009-2014
www.theamazingcoconauts.com
Group Captain and the Mandrakes 2013
http://www.gcmband.com/
The Surfside IV: 2002-2005, 2008-2009
the Del-Vamps: 1992-1999, 2006-2007
http://www.dblcrown.com/delvamps.html
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da-ron
Joined: Jan 02, 2009
Posts: 1307
The original Plymouth, UK.
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Posted on Oct 23 2013 07:10 AM
Just saying that putting heavier strings on it is more likely to cause problems at the nut. If you put heavier strings on it you need to check the nut slots are cut wide enough. They'll be cut for the 10's it was shipped with.
Also, be aware that the trem is balanced, so if one string slips, then all the strings go slightly out of tune. You need to check all the strings when you tune up, even if you've just corrected one string. To check whcih string is going out - lock the trem (pull the trem down and push the button away from the neck, then let the trem up) and see if it goes out of tune so much. Also check the trem is not sticking on the lock.
— http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/
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PrestonRice
Joined: Oct 05, 2012
Posts: 1725
Austin, Texas
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Posted on Oct 23 2013 07:41 AM
Matt22 wrote:
or as Preston and Palo suggested, get one of those hellacool guitars with the hocky stick headstocks that allows you to really shred.
Nah dude, just get a real guitar.
— IMO.
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