How to make a Les Paul hold tuning better?

[MrDan666]

So If I was considering replacing tuners, what would fit perfectly into my Les Paul classic without any adjustments?

I have a feeling its either Gotoh or Grover tuners which are a direct fit without needing to drill. Check em out at http://www.stewmac.com and see what you think!

Im thinking of throwing some Locking tuners on my 78 LP Custom. Thing is driving me crazy with tuning problems, even though its been to a pro tech twice now. It sounds mindblowing.. but as soon as i play, the fucker goes outta tune.

Its annoying, because of that problem it hasnt been getting played much at all. I end up picking up my GMW superstrat all the time, which hardly ever goes outta tune. Infact.. once i strung it up and stretched strings, and it didnt go outta tune once until the day the strings broke.. which was 2 weeks later!

 

[jmgman69]

Did you buy a Lemon?Burst......LOL

 

[steve_k]

A LP Classic Custom is a middle of the road guitar in terms of quality, so lots of little oversights could be a problem. I own an 81 Silverburst Custom and it will hold tuning for months. I also have a 59 VOS which is not bad. I changed out the deluxe tuners on the 59 and that helped some. The stock tuners are shit if you ask me. But, if you are running larger gauge strings than the nut was cut for, this would be your problem as the strings will drag when bending and not return to the original tension. Also, check that the tailpiece screws are tight. The tailpieces (and bridge) float on the screws and have some wobble to them.

1. Drop in a better set of tuners
2. File the nut slots out just a little. Put a little graphite or oil in the slots. Chapstick works well too.
3. Check that the tailpiece screws are snug
4. Lots of folks sing praises about the Tone Pro's replacement tailpiece and bride. I haven't done it yet, but this is supposed to be a good upgrade.

I own two PRS's too. They won't compare with a LP in anyway. The USA Tremonti does somewhat because of the shape and body, but tonally and playability, it is not even in the same league as a good LP.

Steve

 

[Marshall Law]

Then you'd be giving up that great, fat LP tone for shitty, thin PRS tone. Not worth the trade off.

I sooooooo want to agree with you, but since I have two PRS guitars on the way, I can't! lol...

sad but true, my PRS plays and sounds great, but it AIN'T no Les Paul

 

[duodecim]

[...]
What guitars do you have that stay in tune a month?

Jackson Soloist, Fender Strat with tremolo bridge against the body, ... A lot of guitars if you don't abuse the tremolo bar too much. I don't own a Gibson LP so I can't compare.

To the OP – do you have enough of the string wrapped around the tuners? Have you tried different strings (who knows...)?

 

[jabps]

A LP Classic Custom is a middle of the road guitar in terms of quality,
I own two PRS's too. They won't compare with a LP in anyway. The USA Tremonti does somewhat because of the shape and body, but tonally and playability, it is not even in the same league as a good LP.

Steve

Well both the above are a matter of opinion...I have a LP Classic and it's the
2nd best LP I've ever owned. The construction, the top...that guitar is impeccable...I've had alot of offers from people to buy it. Living in Nashville is like swimming in Les Pauls. I also have 3 of the new Tremonti's and there is no comparison when it comes to construction of the PRS and a Gibson. PRS just eats them...tone wise, I use the same settings on my amp as I do when I play the Les Pauls and they play like a dream. Just don't hear that much of a difference. I'll not get rid of my LP's...they're great guitars and blow the new weight relieved Les Pauls that Gibson is now making out of the water but the PRS SC's, McCarty and the Tremonti's are great sounding, great playing guitars and are as good if not better than anything out there.

Just my opinion...

 

[Snake Plissken]

I swear by Nut Sauce. Kept me from chucking my LP out the window.

 

[MrDan666]

See i have even used nut sauce regularly on all contact points.. and still no luck

The nut is filed correctly and so are the bridge saddles.
I have tried various methods of string wrapping around the tuning posts and still no luck.
I have lubricated all contact points.
Tried different strings too (just to eliminate the chance of a bad set).
Stretched strings properly.

Still the damn guitar will not hold tune. As soon as i vibrato or bend on any string, it goes out of tune.

 

[itsme]

I NEVER have tuning issues with my Les Paul.

+1. Neither of my LP's have tuning problems. Tune them before we start playing, and they stay that way. Even my '94 Classic that has those cheapo stock Klusons that I can spin like a top when they don't have strings on them. I do lock my strings though by putting it through the tuner hole, then puilling it under the string and up so that it winds over itself. But that's just common sense.

 

[JTyson]

Sell it and buy a PRS.

I've never owned a LP that would stay in tune. My PRS rarely go out of tune.

Then you'd be giving up that great, fat LP tone for shitty, thin PRS tone. Not worth the trade off.

McCarty's dont sound thin, and they stay in tune for weeks! Even with kluson's

 

[John4021]

I NEVER have tuning issues with my Les Paul.

+1. Neither of my LP's have tuning problems. Tune them before we start playing, and they stay that way. Even my '94 Classic that has those cheapo stock Klusons that I can spin like a top when they don't have strings on them. I do lock my strings though by putting it through the tuner hole, then puilling it under the string and up so that it winds over itself. But that's just common sense.

Absolutly....restring and do the "locking wrap" before you go spending $80.00 on Spurzels.
Check your backbow on the neck as well...
there should be roughly .010 between the 8th fret and the string.
A typical buisness card is .010...cheap way to check the backbow.

 

[Gainfreak]

See i have even used nut sauce regularly on all contact points.. and still no luck

The nut is filed correctly and so are the bridge saddles.
I have tried various methods of string wrapping around the tuning posts and still no luck.
I have lubricated all contact points.
Tried different strings too (just to eliminate the chance of a bad set).
Stretched strings properly.

Still the damn guitar will not hold tune. As soon as i vibrato or bend on any string, it goes out of tune.

same here. even with the earvana nut, my LP has tuning issues. I replaced the shitty plastic tuners and I still have some tuning issues. I might have to yank them and put in the shaller locking tuners. I wanted to put them in, in the first place but my tech talked me out of it.

 

[MrDan666]

Chris, thanks for the help bro!!

Well i decided to take the morning to try and work on the guitar. Firstly, i went over both the slots in the nut and the saddle slots with the correct gauged files. I found the slots were a tiny bit tighter than how i would normally have them set.

Im also going to tune up and do the strings like you told me before Chris. Im also going to put nut sauce on the saddles and nut since i filed them out this morning.

Fingers crossed it might help!! Il hopefully string it by later tonight!

 

[MrDan666]

same here. even with the earvana nut, my LP has tuning issues. I replaced the shitty plastic tuners and I still have some tuning issues. I might have to yank them and put in the shaller locking tuners. I wanted to put them in, in the first place but my tech talked me out of it.

Ralph!

Do yourself a favour, and double check the nut slots are smooth inside AND the saddle slots... Im honestly thinking its the saddles where im having the biggest problem.. They may be filed to the right size, but if there's any rough spots inside them its gonna really fuck with the stability. If you dont have the files or tools for the job, see if perhaps you can borrow them from Harry or something!

If after filing those parts today it still doesnt hold tuning, then the guitar is gonna be getting a set of Schaller lockers. That way atleast i can eliminate the chance that it could be caused by the way im wrapping the strings.. because the locking tuners eliminates string wrap problems.

Honestly it drove me so mad last night i wanted to throw the fuckin thing at the wall..

 

[Gainfreak]

same here. even with the earvana nut, my LP has tuning issues. I replaced the shitty plastic tuners and I still have some tuning issues. I might have to yank them and put in the shaller locking tuners. I wanted to put them in, in the first place but my tech talked me out of it.

Ralph!

Do yourself a favour, and double check the nut slots are smooth inside AND the saddle slots... Im honestly thinking its the saddles where im having the biggest problem.. They may be filed to the right size, but if there's any rough spots inside them its gonna really fuck with the stability. If you dont have the files or tools for the job, see if perhaps you can borrow them from Harry or something!

If after filing those parts today it still doesnt hold tuning, then the guitar is gonna be getting a set of Schaller lockers. That way atleast i can eliminate the chance that it could be caused by the way im wrapping the strings.. because the locking tuners eliminates string wrap problems.

Honestly it drove me so mad last night i wanted to throw the fuckin thing at the wall..

The slots in the earvana are perfect. im thinking that I need some graphite in them now. i'll try it and get back to ya!!

~R~

 

[MrDan666]

The slots in the earvana are perfect. im thinking that I need some graphite in them now. i'll try it and get back to ya!!

~R~

Cool!! Like i say, also double check those bridge saddles are perfect too. Im convinced its been those that caused my problems..

On another note, i just checked the price of those gold Schaller Locking Tuners... $149!! OUCH I thought they would be less than $100 bucks.. the chrome ones are only half the price of the gold ones.. WTF?

 

[chunktone]

Easy answer, Install a set of Sperzel locking tuners. Problem solved.

How easy is swapping out tuners? Also how much would a set of Sperzel's cost?

I was really hoping for solutions that don't cost any money though

PlanetWaves locking tuners have a higher gear ratio, have auto trim, and if your Gibson does NOT have Klusons, the PlanetWaves are a direct replacement with no need to drill extra holes.

 

[cyndicate]

Looks like the nut was part of my problem on my Classic. It would do that "pop when tuning" so I fixed that up a bit. I just got my G0 and the tuners on those are far better, so I'm thinkin the Tuners no the classic could be the problem as well, they feel so cheap in comparison. So far the G0 is holding tuning really well

 

[ke2]

My ESP has Sperzels (not really comparable to an LP in anything but frontal shape, woods, and scale, I know), and it NEVER goes out of tune.

 

[MikeT]

Dan and Gainfreak,

My LP's are pretty stable - tuning issues are only due to temp and humidity change.

In addition to well cut nut and saddles, I use a mix of pencil lead and electronic control lube dabbed into the nut and saddle grooves. Stretch the strings hard and always tune "up". Could also try a tail wrap. My 77 standard for example plays better with the wrap (tone and feel) - this may help with drag at the saddle.

Your 78 sounds like a cool axe, hope it works out.

Mike