Never had this problem before.....

scottwagen · Post by **scottwagen** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 12:49 pm

So, in the 11 years or so that I've been playing I've never come accross the following problem. My b string keeps going flat, I can play about a song and a half then I have to raise the tuning. Now, usually this is caused by your string slipping but its wrapped around the post 4 times and there is still plenty of string left over. So if anyone has ever had this problem or knows a solution it would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Kukini · Post by **Kukini** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:02 pm

Is the nut pulled all the way to the top in the neck? It might keep slipping in there. Also, what kind of string is it? It might have a high tension and keep getting longer.

Willin · Post by **Willin** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:06 pm

The tuning machine just might be dying. Or it might be loose.

scottwagen · Post by **scottwagen** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:50 pm

Willin wrote:The tuning machine just might be dying. Or it might be loose.

Absolutely nothing to do with the tuner....I'm doing it by ear. As for what kind of strings they are; they're Elixer Polyweb Extra Lights. I'm not sure if they're high tension or not though.

Thanks.

Speenis · Post by **Speenis** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:54 pm

scottwagen wrote:
Willin wrote:The tuning machine just might be dying. Or it might be loose.
Absolutely nothing to do with the tuner....I'm doing it by ear. As for what kind of strings they are; they're Elixer Polyweb Extra Lights. I'm not sure if they're high tension or not though.

Thanks.

By the "tuning machine" i bet he meant the things at the end of the headstock that you turn.

scottwagen · Post by **scottwagen** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:56 pm

BigSpeen3436 wrote:
scottwagen wrote:
Willin wrote:The tuning machine just might be dying. Or it might be loose.
Absolutely nothing to do with the tuner....I'm doing it by ear. As for what kind of strings they are; they're Elixer Polyweb Extra Lights. I'm not sure if they're high tension or not though.

Thanks.
By the "tuning machine" i bet he meant the things at the end of the headstock that you turn.

Indeed....that makes a lot more sense. But its still not the problem, its nice and tight and I know the string isn't slipping through. I bet the string is still just stretching out.

c_tietze · Post by **c_tietze** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 3:44 pm

Neck, action and/or nut could be problem. Your tuning machine could be loose/malfunctioning.

Don't take offense, but are you correctly installing new strings? That causes slippage.

DMBFan63 · Post by **DMBFan63** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 3:50 pm

There is a chance it is slipping still.I've seen it happen on cheaper guitars where the gear inside the tuning machine is worn down and can't hold the tension too well so it gets pulled and ends up dropping it by about a half step to a step

scottwagen · Post by **scottwagen** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:51 pm

I know the string isn't slipping because I've been keeping an eye on the extra bit that sticks out and its not moving. Also, the tuning machine is not loose cause I check them every time I take the strings off to replace them. The strings are however fairly new, I put them on about 2 weeks ago so they could still be stretching. That or I need to put my guitar back in the case with a humidifier cause it might just be drying out. Who knows.
Thanks for the ideas though

firedancer86 · Post by **firedancer86** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:57 pm

Iv'e got an idea that nobody has thought of yet...

fret-wear

if your frets (uaually one of the lower frets where "most" chords are played) are indented slightly it can change the pitch...

kcw · Post by **kcw** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:57 pm

If you roll your strings up at the head instead of cutting them it could be where the extra string is laying. I have the same problem with my high e string so i have to cut that one and the rest are rolled up if that makes any sense.

firedancer86 · Post by **firedancer86** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 10:02 pm

not trying to be ignorant, but what is rolling them going to do differently?

Assuming you are talking about just leaving the strings coiled after tuning them...

DMBFan63 · Post by **DMBFan63** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 10:04 pm

I believe he means around the tuning peg..

scottwagen · Post by **scottwagen** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 10:43 am

kcw wrote:If you roll your strings up at the head instead of cutting them it could be where the extra string is laying. I have the same problem with my high e string so i have to cut that one and the rest are rolled up if that makes any sense.

I cut them off. I hate having that big coil flopping around everywhere. I'm going to just assume that the problem is the string is stretching out. I also put it back in the case for a while with the humidifier, that might help. I guess I'll just play my clunker for now....too bad I stringed it for raised B....oh well.

saleen · Post by **saleen** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 1:35 pm

have you tried a different B string? I feel like that would be my first step to finding whether the string or the guitar is the culpret. I know the strings are expensive but does it matter if you can't play in tune with the ones you got?