Why can't I play a Gibson in tune ? - Page 2

musicman · 06-22-2012, 05:54 PM

I think you're right although it looks right to me

I know someone who'll have a look for me

trenchcoat · 06-26-2012, 09:33 PM

MY experiences with LPs are the same.. I learned the necks do flex a lot. You have to get the truss rod right to stiffen it. Problem solved.

richieG · 06-26-2012, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnada

I am thinking the nut is a bit too high.

same here.

the fretted notes are probably playing sharp. Thats about all it could be in the open position.

Even your biggest piece of shit guitars will play open chords ok if the nut is cut ok.

richieG · 06-26-2012, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trenchcoat

MY experiences with LPs are the same.. I learned the necks do flex a lot. You have to get the truss rod right to stiffen it. Problem solved.

The Truss rod is really only meant to correct the neck bow to make it straight or add a bit of relief.

trenchcoat · 06-27-2012, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richieG

The Truss rod is really only meant to correct the neck bow to make it straight or add a bit of relief.

exactly, better get it straight if you have a weak neck..

musicman · 06-27-2012, 01:57 AM

I wondered if the neck angle/relief might have something to do with it.

Doug_1970 · 06-27-2012, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnada

I have a scalloped fretboard and never had tuning issues. I guess people play like trolls

How long did it take you to get used to playing it? Was there a learning period, or was it pretty much straight away?

I tried a scalloped Strat about a year ago and I found it very difficult to play anything in tune - not sure whether that was a result of my shitty self taught technique, or that it just takes time to get used to the neck.

Wiseblood · 06-27-2012, 11:46 AM

Try lubing the nut - grab a pencil and shave some graphite into each nut slot as well as over each saddle at the bridge.

trenchcoat · 06-27-2012, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicman

I wondered if the neck angle/relief might have something to do with it.

it does, in a big way.

musicman · 06-27-2012, 04:36 PM

I've resurected my Telecaster Deluxe partscaster - changed the neck to a chunky 50's style Strat neck and changed the bridge pickup to something a bit less modern sounding... gigging on Saturday so will give it a go.

scat7s · 06-27-2012, 04:46 PM

capo the first fret, and press down on the 13th fret on your E string. your string is now acting as a very accurate straightedge.

observe the space or gap between the string and 7th fret crown.

you should just be able to see daylight at the right angle. if you can slide your pick in the gap (without touching the string), its probably too much relief.

the truss should have nothing to do with how much your neck flexes while playing it.

musicman · 08-21-2012, 02:56 PM

Just resurecting this old thread to say a set of 11's topwrapped round the tailpiece sorted everything out.

Our old bass player left a little while ago and the new one doesn't object to playing in Eb like the original one did... so I tried 11's detuned to Eb, a little tweak on the truss rod, a couple of very minor adjustments to the intonation and every works as it should !

Wycked Lester · 08-21-2012, 04:34 PM

your welcome

musicman · 08-21-2012, 05:28 PM

Yes, sorry, thanks for all the help & advice.

Hipshot · 08-22-2012, 06:37 AM

I think Les Pauls stays in tune just fine. With the intonation spot on.
I have a standard and a custom.
The standard even has a bigsby.

50WPLEXI · 08-22-2012, 11:29 AM

Get that nut looked at. If it can't be fixed for some reason, have a competent tech put a bone one in and check the neck. The truss rod might need adjusting. Check the tuners, are they working properly, do you have it strung correctly.

I've seen a few L.P. have problems with tuning, usually the G string. Nothing to worry about as long as the guitar is sound. Now if there was ever a headstock break, well hopefully someone competent fixed it.

Hipshot · 08-24-2012, 06:56 PM

Like this?

Headstock broken clean off by the former owner of my goldtop. A guy specializing in violins repaired it for him.

I agree that it might be a problem with the nut. Is it even filed correctly without hang-ups? I've found that mine are prone to hang-ups in the nut. Not seriously out of tune though. Especially when bending notes, but my remedy is to lube the slots with powdered graphite from a pencil every time I change strings.

06-22-2012, 05:54 PM	#31 (permalink)
musicman Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Peoples Republic of South Yorkshire UK Posts: 758	Re: Why can't I play a Gibson in tune ? I think you're right although it looks right to me I know someone who'll have a look for me

06-26-2012, 09:33 PM	#32 (permalink)
trenchcoat Banned Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 281	Re: Why can't I play a Gibson in tune ? MY experiences with LPs are the same.. I learned the necks do flex a lot. You have to get the truss rod right to stiffen it. Problem solved.

06-27-2012, 01:57 AM	#36 (permalink)
musicman Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Peoples Republic of South Yorkshire UK Posts: 758	Re: Why can't I play a Gibson in tune ? I wondered if the neck angle/relief might have something to do with it.

06-27-2012, 11:46 AM	#38 (permalink)
Wiseblood Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: The Pit Posts: 1,505	Re: Why can't I play a Gibson in tune ? Try lubing the nut - grab a pencil and shave some graphite into each nut slot as well as over each saddle at the bridge. Wycked Lester likes this. __________________ Wiseblood Jackson King V (EMG 81/85) > Randall RG100ES > Marshall 1960BV

06-27-2012, 04:36 PM	#40 (permalink)
musicman Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Peoples Republic of South Yorkshire UK Posts: 758	Re: Why can't I play a Gibson in tune ? I've resurected my Telecaster Deluxe partscaster - changed the neck to a chunky 50's style Strat neck and changed the bridge pickup to something a bit less modern sounding... gigging on Saturday so will give it a go.

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06-27-2012, 04:46 PM	#41 (permalink)
scat7s Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 7,951	Re: Why can't I play a Gibson in tune ? capo the first fret, and press down on the 13th fret on your E string. your string is now acting as a very accurate straightedge. observe the space or gap between the string and 7th fret crown. you should just be able to see daylight at the right angle. if you can slide your pick in the gap (without touching the string), its probably too much relief. the truss should have nothing to do with how much your neck flexes while playing it. ^AXE^ likes this.

08-21-2012, 02:56 PM	#42 (permalink)
musicman Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Peoples Republic of South Yorkshire UK Posts: 758	Re: Why can't I play a Gibson in tune ? Just resurecting this old thread to say a set of 11's topwrapped round the tailpiece sorted everything out. Our old bass player left a little while ago and the new one doesn't object to playing in Eb like the original one did... so I tried 11's detuned to Eb, a little tweak on the truss rod, a couple of very minor adjustments to the intonation and every works as it should !

08-21-2012, 05:28 PM	#44 (permalink)
musicman Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Peoples Republic of South Yorkshire UK Posts: 758	Re: Why can't I play a Gibson in tune ? Yes, sorry, thanks for all the help & advice.

08-22-2012, 06:37 AM	#45 (permalink)
Hipshot Banned Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 181	Re: Why can't I play a Gibson in tune ? I think Les Pauls stays in tune just fine. With the intonation spot on. I have a standard and a custom. The standard even has a bigsby.

08-22-2012, 11:29 AM	#46 (permalink)
50WPLEXI Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,031	Re: Why can't I play a Gibson in tune ? Get that nut looked at. If it can't be fixed for some reason, have a competent tech put a bone one in and check the neck. The truss rod might need adjusting. Check the tuners, are they working properly, do you have it strung correctly. I've seen a few L.P. have problems with tuning, usually the G string. Nothing to worry about as long as the guitar is sound. Now if there was ever a headstock break, well hopefully someone competent fixed it. __________________ Gibson Les Paul Trad Pro -Re-Wind injected 97' Gibson Les Paul Custom Shop Standard - Darkburst 74 Marshall JMP 50 MK II Lead/1987 - Bernadette 68 Plexi Clone - Rockitt Retro (Thanks Kevin) Sour Mash 2x12 Marshall Clone w/WGS Invaders Marshall 1961B 2X12 Wampler Faux Sring Reverb Mojo Hand FX Bayou Trem Fulltone Plimsoul Bogner Ecstacy Blue BMF Effects El Jefe Fulltone Deluxe Clyde Wah Korg Blackout Tuner Voodoo Labs PP 2 George L/Lava/Mogami Cables

08-24-2012, 06:56 PM	#47 (permalink)
Hipshot Banned Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 181	Re: Why can't I play a Gibson in tune ? Like this? Headstock broken clean off by the former owner of my goldtop. A guy specializing in violins repaired it for him. I agree that it might be a problem with the nut. Is it even filed correctly without hang-ups? I've found that mine are prone to hang-ups in the nut. Not seriously out of tune though. Especially when bending notes, but my remedy is to lube the slots with powdered graphite from a pencil every time I change strings.

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