noisenet

I just got this guitar in on Friday of last week. I've had major tuning issues with it. Following is a post from another forum detailing the steps I've already taken, as well as more description......

BTW - the guitar has Schaller locking tuners (Sperzel knock offs), Earvana compensated nut, Tone Pros bridge and tailpiece, Duncan JB (bridge) and '59 (neck).

Ok, now I'm at my wits end with this guitar. I've had the nut slots filed. I've adjusted the tailpiece to lessen the angle of the strings to the bridge (suggested by the dude at ESP), I've lubricated the nut, checked the saddles AND bridge for movement, made sure the locking mechanism on the tuners is tightened, checked the tightness of the tuners, tightened the peg screws on the tuners, gone through the nut slots with an old string to try an eliminate any remaining obstructions. But still, I cannot keep this damn guitar in tune. I can tune the guitar to perfect pitch. Then if I strum the pick across all the strings (hard, like if I was playing a really loud section of a song), like 5 or 10 strums, then check the tuning, without fail, the "G" string is sharp. Not real sharp, just enough to make an open D and G together sound like total ass.

Just to clarify, the intonation is spot on. I'm not a noob. I've played professionally for over 20 years. Prior to this year, I was playing roughly 325 gigs per year for the past 3 years (changing strings 3 times a week, on two different guitars, plus twice a week for my daytime guitar - 8 string changes a week total), and a couple hundred gigs a year before that. I know how to tune a guitar. I know how to stretch strings. In fact, as a practice, I stretch the hell out of strings when I put 'em on. I've never encountered a guitar that had these problems. For years I've played Mexi Strats (with Sperzels). I play hard, I bend the ever loving shit out of my strings (like a 14th fret "A" on the g string bent up to an "E" pitch). But on my strats (and other guitars before them), if I've sufficiently stretched my strings, I'm fine.

This guitar has the Schaller locking tuners, identical (in operation) to the Sperzels.

Here's the thing. I can sit there and shred for an hour or more on this guitar, including some pretty agressive bending and vibrato, and it stays in tune fine. Then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, it'll go out of tune. Dunno what triggers it. And if I strum aggressively, or do some heavy handed chicken pickin (chordal), the tuning goes to shit. It's mostly the "G" string, but the "B" goes out sometimes (mostly flat, although it, too, will occasionally go sharp) and the "D" will go flat. If I lie the guitar in it's case for a while, when I pick it up, it's out of tune, even if the tuners haven't been touched.

And to top things off, I ordered the guitar from World Musical Supply. They charge a 15% restocking fee for ALL returns. There's even a section in there about guitar playability, setup, etc - saying that as things change with climate changes, they can't be responsible for that. Hence, I lose 15%. That's roughly $120 - I cannot afford to lose that. I don't know if ESP will take it as a warranty issue. They should, but who knows. The guy I spoke to is the warranty director (as well as a guitarist and luthier) so perhaps I can appeal to his good nature. But damn, I'm still out whatever the shipping fee is. That would suck.

And here's the extra kicker - I LOVE playing this guitar (well, when it's in tune). Everything about it, it's tone, playability, the neck is perfect for me, the pickups rule, the resonance is unbelievable (thanks, I guess, to the Tone Pros bridge and tailpiece coupled to the Mahogany body and Maple top). Even it's appearance is perfect. So I hate the idea of getting rid of it. Plus, I can't lose the aforementioned $120.

So, any suggestions for a dude at his witts' end?

JCM800

well the only thing i could sujest would be the tuners, but i have schaller strap locks, and they are realy well made so id expect the same from their tuners.

ummm i dont no anything about ESP guitars, but im guessing its a set neck? because if tis bolt on, the problem could be a loose joint... i have no idea whats rong dude...

601 Blues

1st of all there should be no restocking charge if there is a problem with the guitar. Thats Bull shit!! Now if wanted just ta return it cause you don't like it thats another issue. But what the problem is gezz it looks as if you have tried everything, I had an issue like that once and I found the strings were bad at the factory connection at the gromet they were slipping, but Iam sure you have changed the strings!

BoD

Buy a set of DR "Dimebag" strings to put on it and try it again. Start simple.
I own an earlier EC1000 and an Eclipse II, but niether of them have the compensated nut on them. Are you using any unusual tuning? I understand that the comp. nut is not good for that.