For stuff like that, is it a bad idea to use some Loctite/Permatex Purple on the threads? I would imagine it will just vibrate off again the more it gets played.
The Perpetual Guitar Thread
- Thread starter Jehos
- Start date
LUTHIERS HATE THIS ONE SIMPLE TRICK!
Tons of acoustic guitars have screws/nuts like this, right? And it generally isn't a problem. I wouldn't jump straight to the threadlocker, but would reinstall with proper torque first. You want it tight, but not so much that you're crushing/damaging any of the wood involved.
But if you've got that nut nicely snug and it still loosens up over time, using a gentle threadlocker seems reasonable. I've got Vibra Tite VC3 and use it where I don't want to use the standard blue locker. The VC3 dries into a gel consistency, and they specifically describe it as vibration damping, adjustable, removable, and reusable. I haven't used the purple, but it seems like a good option.
Buy a proper string retainer to stop a buzz? In this economy?
(That might be the least wrong thing about this bass at the moment)
(That might be the least wrong thing about this bass at the moment)
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Curious, how many of you guys are using alternative tunings on acoustic guitar and if so do you have string breaking issues? For instance, going from/to D-A-D-F-G-C to standard, almost 50% chance the high E will break... Was reading some mention higher tension tunings might put more stress, but I'm actually lowering tension on high E, the highest tension is standard tuning, and yet, again yesterday, relatively new strings (light; 1 month old?), and high E broke at the peg after maybe 2-3 switches... ![:\](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/civis/data/assets/smilies/slash-1x.png "Slash :\")
Apparently, more wraps on peg could help, but I'm now wondering if a 2nd acoustic is the way to go... Kinda stupid/annoying though, maybe light strings are an issue too, but I kinda like light strings especially on acoustic...
(btw, replaced string with cheap ali express E string electric guitar string and it worked great for acoustic, whereas for electric it was horrible; sounded muted & dead.)
Apparently, more wraps on peg could help, but I'm now wondering if a 2nd acoustic is the way to go... Kinda stupid/annoying though, maybe light strings are an issue too, but I kinda like light strings especially on acoustic...
(btw, replaced string with cheap ali express E string electric guitar string and it worked great for acoustic, whereas for electric it was horrible; sounded muted & dead.)
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If I frequently change tunings, sure.
I typically keep mine in open G (D G D G B D) because I mostly play blues, but have occasionally re-tuned my electric to standard when needing to record something else. Been a while, though (body is having issues and haven't been able to play for some time).
This MIGHT improve tuning stability, like, once you're IN the new tuning. But even that's debatable.
Agreed with @pauli that you likely have a burr somewhere. Likely the nut. Have you tried the pencil/graphite trick yet? Take a number 2 pencil, and "color in" the nut slot that's giving you trouble. Doing it to all of them wouldn't hurt, either. The graphite left behind will be, essentially, lubrication, and allow for smoother tuning action across the nut.
Won't fix your burr, but if you do that and you experience less string breakage (all other things equal), then you definitely have a burr on your nut (no jokes, please) and need to address that.
Are locking tuners in play? I've never had so many broken strings as I do with locking tuners. The string breaks right where it makes that hard 90 degree turn into the post. Regular tuners give you several wraps of the strings around the post, so friction between the string and post takes up most of the tension forces. With lockers you get as little as a 1/4 wrap on the post, so that hard 90-degree kink is under a lot of stress.
At this point when dealing with locking tuners, for plain strings I want at least a full turn around the post, and 3/4 turn on wound strings. But given the choice I think I prefer non-locking tuners.
pauli has a good point too, make sure there isn't a sharp edge where the string goes into the post.
At this point when dealing with locking tuners, for plain strings I want at least a full turn around the post, and 3/4 turn on wound strings. But given the choice I think I prefer non-locking tuners.
pauli has a good point too, make sure there isn't a sharp edge where the string goes into the post.