Tuning issues H150CM

[Mikenov]

So,

I have had the worst time with my heritage staying in tune. the G and B strings just won't stick in tune for more than a couple of minutes. I start to bend the strings and thats it. I don't get through a whole song. As a result I have been playing other guitars even though the H150 is the best sounding guitar in terms of tone I own. I play lead in my band so I end up bending allot and the tuning issue is agravating. I took it back to the shop I got it at and they seemed to think it was a nut issue and busted out the file but it didn't help. He suggested rubbing some graphite in the notch on those strings to help make that section of the nut "stick" better. What sort of things could be causing this ? Every time it goes out of tune its about a half step flat and the rest of the guitar is good. Any advice is appreciated.

[wingnut1]

Tuning is often an issue with the nut.  The store gave you the solutions to solve that, however, there are products such as nut sauce that might help more than using a pencil lead.  Do you stretch your strings when you first put them on? this can help with tuning problems.  Are you making sure that you are wrapping the strings properly on the tuner post when you put on new strings?  If you don't wrap properly the string can slip.  All of these issues are easily solvable.  Things that are more problamatic would be stripped tinning gears.

[Mikenov]

Thanks for the input Wingnut. I think I do a good job on putting on the strings and its not an issue with not stretching the strings. I deffinately stretch those out good ever string change. Its either the Nut or the tuner. Maybe I will run out at lunch and grab some nut sauce ( I hope work isn't reading this... they might get the wrong idea. )I want to play my heritage at my gig tonight but really my $250 artcore keeps better tune than my heritage right now. Doesn't sound nearly as good though.

[GuitArtMan]

I'm with wingnut that 99% of tuning issues are at the nut.  Are you sure the shop you took it back to did a good job of adjusting the nut?  Yes nut sauce might very well help.  Also, get a copy of Dan Erlewine's "How to make your electric guitar play great" and look long and hard at the stringing section.  He goes through a number of different stringing methods that can really lock the strings down tight.  Are you sure you're stretching your strings enough?  I stretch mine until they don't go flat (at all) when I stretch them.  Do you experience this same problem when you stretch your strings? 

[wingnut1]

Tuning is often an issue with the nut.  The store gave you the solutions to solve that, however, there are products such as nut sauce that might help more than using a pencil lead.  Do you stretch your strings when you first put them on? this can help with tuning problems.  Are you making sure that you are wrapping the strings properly on the tuner post when you put on new strings?  If you don't wrap properly the string can slip.  All of these issues are easily solvable.  Things that are more problamatic would be stripped tuning gears.

[grayta]

Try trading the B tuner for the E tuner.  If your E starts dropping a half step and/or the B stays in tune, it's the tuner.  If not, the nut may need more work.

[golferwave]

  I agree that the nut is most probably the issue. I always have my guitar tech make me a bone nut for my guitars as I hate plastic. Some guys swear by teflon but bone is "old school" and your tech can file each slot to fit your string gauge preference for better tuning stability.

[High Flying Bird]

I had tuning issues with all of the guitars I have owned until I started using DR brand strings.  For me, Gibsons have always had a problem with the G string.  I haven't played a Gibson in almost 15 years but the Heritages, Ricks and a few old Gibsons that me and my friends own stay in tune much better with DR's as opposed to any of the other brands.  This includes the 2 Heritages that I mainly play that have Bigsbys on them. 

Try putting some graphite in the nut and a set of DR pure blues on that guitar before you go any farther.  I put them on, stretch them and they are set. 

[doggy1972]

Had the same problem. What gauge of string are you using? Now I use locking tuners and really bed my strings in being ultra methodical with each string.I dont seem have tuning issues any more.

I agree that it could be the nut but, trying locking tuners as an option if all else fails. My original grovers(assuming you are using grover) were quite old. Now grover seem to pride themselves on the longevity of there tuners but, the ones on mine were shot. Really sloppy even when I adjusted the tension. Think some are just like that.They could be wobbling around in the bushings.

Good luck anyhow.

[PacerX]

Let me amplify the above:

 

It's either the tuners, the nut, or how you are stringing the guitar.

 

Any of the 3 can be fixed easily.

 

Locking tuners will elminate the tuner issue and any problems with how you are stringing it.

 

An examination of the nut by a guitar repairman would be in order here... heck, have him installed the locking tuners that might want to seriously consider buying at this point (trust me on this one...).

 

 

To summarize:

1) It isn't the strings.

2) A $35 set up by a good guitar tech and a $60-$90 set of locking tuners will turn your beautiful-sounding Heritage into a killer hot rod shred machine of epic proportions.

 

I've got the Grover lockers on my H-150.  They're the cat's meow.