Atk out of tune,help pls!!

zoxybass · #1 11-10-2009, 06:52 PM

Well i bought used Ibanez atk 13 years old.Problem is it doesn`t stay in tune when i play very hard or pull string of the neck.Nut is ok and i try with new strings..problem is same.I went to a local guitar builder and he told me that tuners are ok and nut too.He think that the problem is in bridge..It is a string through Atk bridge but i can`t find a new one..(and i am not realise how bridge can detune bass)Any ideas?Help please

MooseLumps · #2 11-10-2009, 07:01 PM

a guitar that does not stay in tune when you play very hard is normal. You can only tug on those strings so much before they give.

Are your strings wound from top to bottom on the tuner post?
Are your strings feeding all the way through the body? Or is the ball end stuck in the body?

Try taming your technique, your strings will last longer.

David1234 · #3 11-10-2009, 07:04 PM

That's wierd. Is it true of every string?

To see if the tuners are slipping, put a texta dot on each string at the nut and take a good photo. Obviously do this when the bass is in tune and played in. Then play it a lot til it's out of tune and see if the dot has moved (indicating that the string has moved).

You might want to put a dot on the string at the saddle too and see if it shifts through the body.

How is the string finishing up in the body? Is the ball of the string contacting some metal or some wood?

PilbaraBass · #4 11-10-2009, 07:06 PM

I just put a new ATK bridge on my 13 year old ATK fretless...(bought from authorised Ibanez repair shop)

but I seriously doubt the bridge is your culprit.

I find the tuners actually a bit wonky on my ATK and these could be an issue. Stringing properly is important.

I wouldn't trust this one opinion...take the bass to another party for evaluation

zoxybass · #5 11-10-2009, 07:27 PM

strings are all wound and the end ball has contact on metal on the body.Yes all strings come out of tune.I never had this problem with any other bass.And tuners are..well the screws are tighten all the way(i think they are schaller)but it is very easy to move the tuners(the are very soft)

bassteban · #6 11-10-2009, 07:29 PM

How old are the strings?

JustDavid · #7 11-10-2009, 07:38 PM

Might be time for new tuning machines.

I'd try stringing through the bridge tailpiece instead of through the body, just to rule it out cheaply. If you rule that out, rule out that guitar builder. Might want to rule him out anyway for not suggesting this troubleshooting step.

Monstering the strings could also do this. Tune it to pitch, let it sit a day or 2, & recheck tuning by plucking very very gently. If it's still in tune I think we've isolated the issue to your technique.

zoxybass · #8 11-10-2009, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustDavid

Might be time for new tuning machines.

I'd try stringing through the bridge tailpiece instead of through the body

I had try it.It`s the same.Strings are about 2 weeks old i had the same problem when i bought the bass so i replace them.

JustDavid · #9 11-10-2009, 07:46 PM

OK, that's one item off the list. Tune it up & let it sit a couple days.

David1234 · #10 11-10-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoxybass

... it is very easy to move the tuners(the are very soft)

I'm 99% certain that your tuners are the culprit. Perhaps they're over-lubricated?

zoxybass · #11 11-11-2009, 07:26 AM

I think the tuners are problem too...My tehnique..Well i play bass for 18 years and never had this problem.

rumblethump · #12 11-11-2009, 11:25 AM

Just a random thought. Check the neck screws to be sure they are snug, no need to overtighen, but if they move at all, it might be contributing.

zoxybass · #13 11-12-2009, 06:58 AM

Ok i tried all the experiments(put markers on nut and sadles)and it is ok.The screws on the neck are tighten.But here what few people told me."your neck is to sensitive"???.When i put the guitar in tune holding on the strap and thurn it upside down(string to the floor) the thune goes about -5.when i thurn guitar up tho the top(strings to ceiling) it goes in+.And then when it`s back holding on me on the strap it is in tune!Is this normal or there is problem in neck-body conection?I don`t think the neck is cracked because it is straight and intonations are adjusted and don`t go out of tune.

pdubya · #14 11-12-2009, 07:15 AM

hmm strange.maybe check the way you have threaded the string around the post?
sounds lke theyre slipping.......

www.myspace.com/dubthemagicdragon

zoxybass · #15 11-12-2009, 08:35 AM

Really don`t know what to think...I am getting crazy about this.Here are some pics(sorry for bad quality it`s from mobile phone)

By zoranso at 2009-11-12

By zoranso, shot with 6233 at 2009-11-12

ehque · #16 11-12-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoxybass

When i put the guitar in tune holding on the strap and thurn it upside down(string to the floor) the thune goes about -5.when i thurn guitar up tho the top(strings to ceiling) it goes in+.And then when it`s back holding on me on the strap it is in tune!Is this normal or there is problem in neck-body conection?I don`t think the neck is cracked because it is straight and intonations are adjusted and don`t go out of tune.

This is normal. A neck is after all a relatively narrow piece of wood, and will flex somewhat under the strain.

I'd say you're pulling too hard on the neck when you're playing. Sometimes certain basses (their shape) make us play them in a certain way.

chokeslam512 · #17 11-12-2009, 09:56 AM

Did you have your neck relief adjusted recently? It takes some time for the neck and truss rod to equalize. Is your bass going from hot to cold often? The ambient temperature can make a huge difference as well.

zoxybass · #18 11-12-2009, 10:07 AM

No i didn`t adjust truss rod recently.From cold to hot...Yes but i always leave it to adjust to temperature at least for 15 minutes before i start tuning.

rumblethump · #19 11-12-2009, 10:50 AM

sensative neck is probably your problem. I set up an Ibanez a while back and tuned it in playing position, then laid it flat on its back and everything was sharp. That bass had the thinnest neck I've seen.

zoxybass · #20 11-12-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumblethump

sensative neck is probably your problem. I set up an Ibanez a while back and tuned it in playing position, then laid it flat on its back and everything was sharp. That bass had the thinnest neck I've seen.

Maybe...but this neck is not so thin and it is 3 piece maple and the whole guitar is heavy as hell!