Les Paul Tuning Stability Trick

LucSulla

LucSulla

New member
Supporter
I saw this a couple of years ago and finally gave it a try. 
 


For some reason, I haven't really gigged any Lesters in a long time. The 2013 Traditional I have in particular has a really nasty problem with string pinch in the nut making tuning stability crap. I've worked and worked on the back angle and all that jazz to limited success. 

Gave this a shot, and I will be dipped in shit - no issues all night. 

 
cmatthes said:
Restringing my Les Pauls ASAP...
Click to expand...
I'll be interested to hear if it helps you as well. With just one data point, it may have just been coincidence, but I've definitely never had less trouble out of the D and G strings on that guitar. 

 
I hope that works. Here's an alternative:

My LPC would NOT stay in tune - for years I fought that f***er - until I began gigging regularly again and figured out that you can triple-lock the string on the post and your tuning will be bullet-proof:

Pull the string thru the post, then push it back about an inch.

Kink the string inwards on the post.

Wrap the end of the string inwards around the post and under itself.

Bend the string - tightly - up over itself and kink it again.

* Be sure to keep everything tight as you go*.

Tune to pitch as usual.

ETA: Give 2 quick pulls on each string at the 12th fret.

Re-tune.

You have 2 kinks and the string tightening over itself to lock it on the post. Triple lock. It cannot slip.

Any tuning issues after that will be in some other area.

Good luck.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
hamerhead said:
Pull the string thru the post, then push it back about an inch.

Kink the string inwards on the post.

Wrap the string inwards around the post and under itself.

Bend the string - tightly - over itself and kink it again.

* Be sure to keep everything tight as you go*.

Tune to pitch as usual.

You have 2 kinks and the string tightening over itself to lock it on the post. Triple lock. It cannot slip.
Click to expand...
Like this?🤣

View attachment 95318

 
Last edited by a moderator:
hamerhead said:
I hope that works. Here's an alternative:

My LPC would NOT stay in tune - for years I fought that f***er - until I began gigging regularly again and figured out that you can triple-lock the string on the post and your tuning will be bullet-proof:

Pull the string thru the post, then push it back about an inch.

Kink the string inwards on the post.

Wrap the end of the string inwards around the post and under itself.

Bend the string - tightly - over itself and kink it again.

* Be sure to keep everything tight as you go*.

Tune to pitch as usual.

ETA: Give 2 quick pulls on each string at the 12th fret.

Re-tune.

You have 2 kinks and the string tightening over itself to lock it on the post. Triple lock. It cannot slip.

Any tuning issues after that will be in some other area.

Good luck.
Click to expand...
I think you forgot the step where you do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around 😛 

In all seriousness, I've never had an issue with slack at the post. It's always been the break angle at the back of the nut catching it. Stringing it going up the point relieves just enough pressure that it doesn't seem to bind nearly as much. 

@murkat gave me the best advice years ago - just use nylon nuts like they did originally. I'm a big fan of the 2013-2019 Les Paul traditionals and have owned 3. In 2013, they were using Corian nuts. In 2017, they used nylon. The 2017 never has issues; the 2013 does. 

 
This video came out around the time I was changing strings on my Lester (couple of years ago). I tried it and have been doing it this way ever since. I have plenty of break angle at the nut and the tuning is much more stable.

 
Not to get in the weeds... okay, yep, I'm in the weeds: is the nylon available today the same nylon? Or was the original nylon discontinued because of some conspiracy (and by conspiracy, I do not mean 'found by the State of California to be a carcinogen,' i.e., the subset otherwise known as "matter.")?

And I ask absolutely not due to tone, or, excuse me, TONE, concerns but strictly for functional concerns. 

 
veatch said:
Brings a slight wrinkle to the 14 degree vs 17 degree headstock angle argument, eh?
Click to expand...
51K4jEI.gif


 
velorush said:
Not to get in the weeds... okay, yep, I'm in the weeds: is the nylon available today the same nylon? Or was the original nylon discontinued because of some conspiracy (and by conspiracy, I do not mean 'found by the State of California to be a carcinogen,' i.e., the subset otherwise known as "matter.")?

And I ask absolutely not due to tone, or, excuse me, TONE, concerns but strictly for functional concerns. 
Click to expand...
My R0 has an OEM, nylon nut. It stays in tune perfectly. Maybe it’s the material, maybe I lucked out, maybe both?

 
velorush said:
Not to get in the weeds... okay, yep, I'm in the weeds: is the nylon available today the same nylon? Or was the original nylon discontinued because of some conspiracy (and by conspiracy, I do not mean 'found by the State of California to be a carcinogen,' i.e., the subset otherwise known as "matter.")?

And I ask absolutely not due to tone, or, excuse me, TONE, concerns but strictly for functional concerns. 
Click to expand...
Nylon is a brand name, like Kleenex. The generic term is polyamide. There are many different grades of polyamide, of which what we think of as nylon is a subset. Jump deep into the weeds here: https://www.specialchem.com/plastics/guide/polyamide-pa-nylon

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top