Bass going flat every single day?

[m_bisson]

I recently bought an Ibanez sr700 (about a month or two ago) and it's been going flat every single day. Most of the time the tuner still registers the correct note, but on some occasions its tuned a full step down (e down to d, for example). At first I thought it was because the seasons were changing from fall to winter, and the humidity was twisting the neck around. But the weather is now dry and cold enough to have stopped changing thecharacteristics of the bass. It still has the stock Elixer strings.

What's going on?


I'm still new to guitars... but I'm thinking it's either the strings or that need replacing, or the truss rod that needs adjusting.

[dannster]

Mischievous roommate?

[m_bisson]

I live alone :O

[Arranger]

Tuners are slipping or strings have not been attached correctly to the tuners. Also, look at the bridge and check for wobbly or loose hardware, especially the bridge mounting screws.

Strings don't go flat because they need to be changed. The neck can only bow so much before it's obviously bowed or torqued out of position. Check the action and get back to us. If the action isn't changing, the strings were poorly mounted.

I'm not sure if there are any strings out there with cores that are soft enough to stretch indefinitely. It's possible that the strings were trimmed too short and the wrap is slipping off of the core, however.

We'll solve this. TalkBassers can solve ANYTHING!

[m_bisson]

One of the 5 screws for the bridge was sort of loose. I re-snugged them all. I'll have to wait another day or two to check if it de-tunes again.

Also, when I tune the strings there seems to be a'sweet spot' where the tuner is easiest to turn. Could it be that the strings were just sitting for too long tuned at the wrong note that they naturally want to return to that tension?

[dalkowski]

I'm of the mind that it has to do with improperly strung strings.

Many here (I'm one of them) will tell you it's good practice when you acquire an instrument to have it set up professionally (or DIY if you know how) with new strings. It's short money and I'd wager that:
1. You'll find out what the problem is and
2. The bass will play better than it does now.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[m_bisson]

Would it be worthwhile to re-string it with the strings that are on there now?

[Von Felgenhauer]

well, lets ask an obvious question. How many times is the string wrapped around the tuner post? you want more then one but less then say 4-5 wraps

[m_bisson]

2 on each post, then it is bent down into the centre. I'm pretty sure the strings aren't slipping. The tuner may be.... I almost need to tune it, draw a reference line on the tuner, and then see if it moves on its own.

[bearhart74]

new battery in the tuner?

[Von Felgenhauer]

well, the bass is probably what, at least 5-10 years old now? the tuners might need replacing. but instead of throwing needless money into it, take it somewhere to get set up and talk to them about it. After it's set up, you may never want another bass

[m_bisson]

The batteries are new. I already thought of that lol. Also, the little tag that came on the bass states the production date as June 2010. So it's not even a year old :P

[Von Felgenhauer]

really. I didn't know ibanez kept making their sr series. I know they have the srx and the gios

[Labi]

Originally Posted by m_bisson

I live alone :O

Alter ego?

[m_bisson]

Lol. maybe I should setup a camera to make sure I'm not sleepwalking and detuning it at night.

[Hugh Jass]

I had one of these basses and was actually very impressed by how stable the tuning was despite the THIN neck.

The only two things that can affect the tuning that much without tools touching them are the tuners and the strings. Neck movement can change it a few cents but not as much as what you are getting.

Without seeing pics here are my suggestions:

- Spend 20 bucks and put new strings on. Leave 4 inches past the tuning post (3.5 on the E), insert the string into the hole in the middle of the post, kink the string to the side and wrap downward.

- The tuners have little phillips head screws at the ends of the wings. Tighten them up a bit. This will increase the turning resistance.

- Take a cell phone pick of the headstock after tuning. Go back the next day and see if all the tuners are in the same position.


Wait......

A bass that always tries to downtune itself.........

We can finally put the search to rest TB'ers........

THIS IS THE BEST BASS FOR METAL!!!!!!

[Winnb]

So all 4 strings are going flat exactly one half step? Everyday? Because that is very difficult to believe.

[Edward G.]

Originally Posted by m_bisson

One of the 5 screws for the bridge was sort of loose. I re-snugged them all. I'll have to wait another day or two to check if it de-tunes again.

Also, when I tune the strings there seems to be a'sweet spot' where the tuner is easiest to turn. Could it be that the strings were just sitting for too long tuned at the wrong note that they naturally want to return to that tension?

While you're at it check EVERY screw. I once bought a used bass on which every screw needed to be tightened. It makes a big difference. Trust me.

[Fender4Me]

My 2008 Fender AS Jazz goes flat every couple of days by a couple of percent. Always has. I have always used DR Hibeam flats on it. I will be interested in watching this thread. On mine, I suspect the tuning pegs.....

[Gort]

I'd start with new strings and give them a good stretching/retune after you put them on until they are stable, then establish a good witness point at the saddle and the nut.