My Les Paul doesn't stay in tune.

  • Thread starter Thread starter geetarmikey
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geetarmikey

geetarmikey

Active member
Been having real problems with my Les Paul classic lately. I use 10's for strings and even though I intonate the thing all the time, the tuning, while not going out horrendously, still slips slightly on most of the strings inbetween songs while gigging.

Will 11's help by raising the tension of the strings, or is there anything else I can do to help the problem?

Thanks,

Mike
 
The problem is more than likely the nut of the guitar. The strings get caught in the nut slot, and when you bend a string or play hard, the string will go flat. Then you will adjust the tuning to be "back in tune," play again, and your string will go sharp. If you bring your guitar to a respectable luthier or repair shop and ask them to install a graphtech tusq synthetic ivory nut, paying extra attention to string catch and slippage, it should help resolve your issue.

The only other thing it can really be is your tuners if it's a prolonged problem. Most people mistakenly replace the tuners before the nut. Roller nuts are freaking awesome if available for your Les Paul as well.
 
Greg, do the roller nuts have a noticeable impact on the guitar's tone? I've already replaced the nut and tuners on my LP but was wondering about the roller nut for a different axe..
 
Until you bring it to a decent tech to at least make sure the nut slots are wide enough and there are no sticking problems, use a lubricant. Big Bends Nut Sauce is good. i used 3in1 oil on my Hendrix Strat. Works great
 
Just file the nut out a little bit for the strings in question.

Your strings are a little big, so decreasing the size a bit will help too. Also, on LP's be a little careful when winding the strings so that the G is riding on the B and the D is not riding on the A.
 
nut job

sauce, graphite, etc, all just band aids. they work, but aren't fixing the problem per se.

it's easy. google it.

though, the results from "nut job" googling could vary...just sayin!
 
I have used Guitar Grease and Nut Sauce and it has helped, but not resolved the issue on a stubborn nut. Having it cut properly is really important.

To the OP: I would not suggest trying to widen the nut slots yourself unless you have proper tools or some experience, because if you go too low, you're going to end up with string buzz and the nut will be worthless (even though you may replace it, it can't hurt to have the option to not have to).
 
Easily 99% of all tuning issues with Les Pauls are nut-related.
As mentioned, get a nut-job.
Or, failing that, get a Graph Tech replacement.
Some have gone with a brass replacement (I'm considering this just for shits and giggles to the tone and sustain changes).
 
glassjaw7":82tis84k said:
Greg, do the roller nuts have a noticeable impact on the guitar's tone? I've already replaced the nut and tuners on my LP but was wondering about the roller nut for a different axe..
Click to expand...

Comparing my Fender Strats with and without roller nuts, the ones with the roller nuts typically have a little more high end to the tonality when using open strings. This bothers some people; personally, I don't mind it at all and have come to quite like it. Obviously, the roller nut ONLY imparts its own tone on the instrument when open strings are ringing. Fretted notes have no difference.

That being said, I didn't know roller nuts were available for Les Pauls? :confused:
 
rlord1974":1hkq7jro said:
glassjaw7":1hkq7jro said:
Greg, do the roller nuts have a noticeable impact on the guitar's tone? I've already replaced the nut and tuners on my LP but was wondering about the roller nut for a different axe..
Click to expand...

Comparing my Fender Strats with and without roller nuts, the ones with the roller nuts typically have a little more high end to the tonality when using open strings. This bothers some people; personally, I don't mind it at all and have come to quite like it. Obviously, the roller nut ONLY imparts its own tone on the instrument when open strings are ringing. Fretted notes have no difference.

That being said, I didn't know roller nuts were available for Les Pauls? :confused:
Click to expand...


Of course :doh: Didn't even think that through. Fretting anywhere on the neck would take the nut's effect on tone out of the equation. I'm really considering one for my tele.
 
glassjaw7":32a3ashl said:
Greg, do the roller nuts have a noticeable impact on the guitar's tone? I've already replaced the nut and tuners on my LP but was wondering about the roller nut for a different axe..
Click to expand...

Sorry, missed this one. I have not had much experience aside from on one USA Strat that was awesome.
 
The thing is, I've recently had the whole neck re-fretted and a new nut put on. Sorry I didn't mention this before! I could ask my tech, I'm taking it back to him next week.
 
geetarmikey":2av9qe7y said:
The thing is, I've recently had the whole neck re-fretted and a new nut put on. Sorry I didn't mention this before! I could ask my tech, I'm taking it back to him next week.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I put a fancy new nut and new tuners on my LP and started using nut lube when I restring and it still doesn't stay in tune nearly as well as my G&L or Schecter. :doh: :doh: I think it has something to do with the shorter scale length (and maybe Les Pauls are just cursed, lol) Except the PRS Singlecuts stay in tune perfectly, so wtf?? Fucking Gibson...

Surprisingly, my new tele isn't staying in tune as well as I thought it would. Might try a roller nut and locking tuners. Whoever strung it at the factory did a terrible job too, which was part of the problem. Improved drastically when I put new strings on but the nut slots look a little funky.
 
Are you winding your strings like this?

Lock-Wrap.jpg
 
Yep, I know by now how to wind a string round the peg properly :P

Seriously though, thanks for the advice, guys, I just can't be the only one having this problem with my LP especially while gigging.
 
geetarmikey":3oud8is7 said:
Yep, I know by now how to wind a string round the peg properly :P

Seriously though, thanks for the advice, guys, I just can't be the only one having this problem with my LP especially while gigging.
Click to expand...

The only one? Most guys are almost there.
Aldrich and Sykes are always in tune. My old Custom stayed in tune but.... :scared:
 
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