My Shergold will NOT stay in tune.

Fassa Albrecht · #1 10-08-2008, 02:28 PM

I've been playing my Shergold a load recently and I notice that more often than not it needs tuning every time I play the damn thing.

Can anyone suggest what the problem is? It usually slips about a half-tone out of tune.

Fassa Albrecht · #2 10-08-2008, 04:57 PM

Come on, this is really bugging me.

Siegy · #3 10-08-2008, 04:58 PM

Bad tuners? Old strings?

Fassa Albrecht · #4 10-08-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siegy

Bad tuners? Old strings?

The strings are new and the tuners are immaculate.

Zooberwerx · #5 10-08-2008, 06:01 PM

Is this a new bass or old bass with a new onset?

Riis

Nyarlathotep · #6 10-08-2008, 06:04 PM

Is there sick on the nut or in the tuners? Depending on the composition it might act as a lube.....

BurningSkies · #7 10-08-2008, 06:25 PM

Did you stretch/seat the strings when you put them on?

Also, its the time of year in many parts of the world where seasonal changes make bass necks get wonky for a bit.

T-Bird · #8 10-08-2008, 10:24 PM

Hi, Fassa.

Since You don't give too many clues, I have to assume that.

#1 You did stretch the new strings in a proper way.
#2 You always tune up to the pitch.
#3 The "biting edge" on the tuner shaft ends is still biting and not rounded.

If all the above check, there's the possibility of a slipping machine head, not too uncommon with older instruments.

Regards
Sam

kimstevens · #9 10-08-2008, 11:02 PM

Most likely it is due to neck movement and/or strings being affected by temperature changes. I always tune prior to playing, as most stringed instrument players do; if you're curious about the impact of temperature on the strings, try getting a blow dryer and watching an electronic tuner while you point the dryer towards the strings -- you should see the pitch go quite flat.

Fassa Albrecht · #10 10-09-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi, Fassa.

Since You don't give too many clues, I have to assume that.

#1 You did stretch the new strings in a proper way.
#2 You always tune up to the pitch.
#3 The "biting edge" on the tuner shaft ends is still biting and not rounded.

If all the above check, there's the possibility of a slipping machine head, not too uncommon with older instruments.

Regards
Sam

As far as I'm aware I tuned up to the pitch and the machineheads are as good as new.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimstevens

Most likely it is due to neck movement and/or strings being affected by temperature changes. I always tune prior to playing, as most stringed instrument players do; if you're curious about the impact of temperature on the strings, try getting a blow dryer and watching an electronic tuner while you point the dryer towards the strings -- you should see the pitch go quite flat.

The only problem with that is that I have always kept it at a steady temperature in either my bedroom or at church in the main hall where it is warm enough not to knack up my equipment.

ducknturtle · #11 10-09-2008, 05:52 PM

It' not just temperature but humidity also plays a role which changes through the different seasons.

silverburst · #12 10-09-2008, 06:41 PM

I'd agree with the suggestions about changes in the weather. Any unusually high humidity or dryness lately?

manicbassman · #13 10-10-2008, 01:21 AM

yeah, it's stopped raining and the baro pressure is up at 1030 mB

(In England, it's been a bad summer, raining most days and low pressure)

Bruce Lindfield · #14 10-10-2008, 01:47 AM

This thread reminds me of all those jokes... along the lines of :

Band leader says to bass player - you're out of tune! Bass player - sorry, no I specifically asked for it to be in tune when I bought it !!

BurningSkies · #15 10-10-2008, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

As far as I'm aware I tuned up to the pitch and the machineheads are as good as new.

The only problem with that is that I have always kept it at a steady temperature in either my bedroom or at church in the main hall where it is warm enough not to knack up my equipment.

If you only tuned up to pitch, then no, you didn't stretch or seat your strings... Doing so will 'solidify' your tuning. It does several things...it gets some of the initial 'spring' out of the strings, but it also seats the strings more firmly at the witness points (bridge and nut) and makes sure that the strings are firmly anchored at the bridge and at the tuning head wraps.

peterbright · #16 10-10-2008, 06:00 AM

Do you do much string bending?

Jools4001 · #17 10-10-2008, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

I've been playing my Shergold a load recently and I notice that more often than not it needs tuning every time I play the damn thing.

Can anyone suggest what the problem is?

Yes, the problem is the expectation that you shouldn't have to tune your bass every time you play it.

guitfiddle0409 · #18 10-10-2008, 07:29 AM

When you take a tuner to it, gently do a harmonic on the 12th fret and tune it accurately. Then contrast it with it open and also gently fingering the fifth and seventh fret on all strings. If it's all even, then either you have slippage or you're bending notes out of tune. You could play for about half an hour and then measure it again. If you have slippage, it's probably due to poor (or unstretched strings). Also I'm not sure if Shergold has one of those string holes like Fender has in the tuner; that holds strings in place nicely. Some players will ignore using them (or not cut the strings to the correct length if they do use them) and the strings will slip. So make sure the instrument was strung correctly. Also, some manufacturers simply make strings of inconsistent quality.

Fassa Albrecht · #19 10-11-2008, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

This thread reminds me of all those jokes... along the lines of :

Band leader says to bass player - you're out of tune! Bass player - sorry, no I specifically asked for it to be in tune when I bought it !!

Reminds me of my first gig- I was horrendously out of tune.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

If you only tuned up to pitch, then no, you didn't stretch or seat your strings... Doing so will 'solidify' your tuning. It does several things...it gets some of the initial 'spring' out of the strings, but it also seats the strings more firmly at the witness points (bridge and nut) and makes sure that the strings are firmly anchored at the bridge and at the tuning head wraps.

Ah.... you might just have solved a lot of my bass' problems.

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterbright

Do you do much string bending?

I slap but that's the hardest I play...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jools4001

Yes, the problem is the expectation that you shouldn't have to tune your bass every time you play it.

Yeah, and it gets annoying after a while having to tune every time.

RustyAxe · #20 10-11-2008, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

Yeah, and it gets annoying after a while having to tune every time.

Why would you NOT tune every time you play? I just put my foot down for my acoustic quartet of multi instrumentalists and singers (guitars, dobro, mando, banjo, bass, harps, etc) ... tune with an electronic tuner EVERY practice. And not tuning before a gig is unforgiveable.