JP6 Tuning Issues

[FlyingSwordfish]

Hey Ballers. At the beginning of August I received my Lava Pearl JP6. I love this guitar to death! However, one thing has bothered me since I got it: It just doesn't stay in tune as well as it should. Ordinary playing and even the slightest trem usage mess up my tuning, and I know this shouldn't be the case. I haven't had the guitar set up; I figured it was good to go since I ordered it from a music store. I've changed the strings several times. I have not adjusted spring tension or action (Why adjust such smooth action, right?). Every time I change the strings I apply some chapstick to the saddles and the nut. Also, and I don't know if this makes a difference, I make sure the tuners are nice and tight every time. I have tightened the trem bar so as not to let it swing freely. The neck relief seems to be very little (As in barely any at all).

This is bothering me. I really want to use the trem more and I don't like having to tune so frequently. What's wrong here? Should I just take it in to be set up? I'd rather do this myself, but whatever.

Thanks for the help!

 

[David]

The only thing I could add is when you put on new strings stretch the heck out of them, tune to pitch, and stretch some more. I know the Vintage Trem on my Luke is a little different than your JP, but I have been pretty amazed how well it stays in tune thus far. Good luck!

 

[jeffrey]

Make sure you aren't putting any winds around the tuning posts, also make sure there's nothing rough in the nut slots, make sure they are smooth. Lastly, try a lubricant for the strings, like Big Bends Nut Sauce or something similar (I've used it with good success).

You can't dive-bomb it like a double-locker, ever really, but you can use it pretty consistantly and still stay in tune at that point.

As long as I have new strings and lubed the nut good, I rarely have any tuning stability issues.

 

[chrisallen]

yeah. pull the string pretty tight, lock down the locking tuner, THEN tune to pitch. you don't want it to wrap around the tuning peg like a normal guitar would.

and i DO dive-bomb it like a double-locker and i have ZERO tuning problems.

 

[FlyingSwordfish]

Yeah, I never wrap the string around the peg and I usually try to pull it pretty tight. How do you suggest I stretch the stings? Just do it with the tremolo?

Thanks for your suggestions, by the way.

 

[jeffrey]

Tremolo, yank on'em some, whatever.

 

[LoudGtr]

Guitar Setup 101:

Stretching Strings: VIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

While holding the string to be stretched down and the first fret ---- take your picking hand and grab the string at around the 12th fret and yank on the string like you're almost trying to pull it off. No I'm not kidding. STRETCH THOSE SUCKERS OUT!!! Do this 'till it barely needs to be retuned. Maybe 4 to 10 times; each string.

This really helps to stabalize the strings.
If it was a vintage style trem like my Axis SS for example, I'm almost afraid of pulling the saddle off sometimes!!

If you don't play the guitar for a few days or longer, give it one good stretch and retune= good to go.

Cheers.

 

[Astrofreq]

yeah. pull the string pretty tight, lock down the locking tuner, THEN tune to pitch. you don't want it to wrap around the tuning peg like a normal guitar would.

why is this? what is the difference in having it wound or not? Obviously, the less winding, the tighter it is automatically. Is that the reason?

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

the long winded reply

Any extra winding around the post provides additional string length that can possibly bind and or stretch, thereby reducing tuning stability.

 

[jeffrey]

why is this? what is the difference in having it wound or not? Obviously, the less winding, the tighter it is automatically. Is that the reason?

When you have winds around a post and depress the trem (slacking the strings) the winds can "relax" and loosen up and don't always go back in the same position exactly thereby affecting tuning.

 

[Progdude]

I use big bends nut sauce on both the nut and saddles and I hardly EVER have tuning issues. It actually stays in tune better than my Ibanez S-1620 (has a double locking floyd)