No end of tuning problems with an Ibanez Soundgear

[Pawnbroker]

I have an Ibanez Soundgear bass--I think it's the 300 series--and it just will not stay in tune. It seems to drop half a step by the end of every song. Anyone had this problem? I don't know if it's the tuners or if the guitar's hopeless because of a warped neck or something equally dire.

[Staccato]

No. Is the bass (and the parts) like new? Have you changed the strings to flats? Have you changed the tuning from standard tuning?

It would be natural for something else to change if you've gotten creative since replacing the factory strings, or changed the tuning on the instrument.

Please share any details...

[spigmu]

Also, how long has it been doing this? Like Staccato says, if it's a week old bass with brand new strings (or a factory set that was never played) and you've only gigged/rehearsed with it once, I wouldn't worry about it (yet : ) ) If after one more good pounding and a few more days of settling in it's no better, then it won't be as simple as the strings. Then it'll be time to go around it checking things.

[powmetalbassist]

Probably has to do with the fact it is a 300. meaning low quality material and likely similar quality in the build. Try a 500+ and the problem may go away.

[Pawnbroker]

Think it might need an upgrade, then.

It's been doing it subtly for the four years I've owned it and it's getting worse. I haven't done anything but replaced the strings.

[Porkbun]

Try eyeing/marking your tuning heads to see if they are moving. My old Ibbys tuning heads were less than stellar

[SBassman]

- Eyeball the neck. Fret at top and bottom of the fretboard. Look at the clearance of the strings. Is it about a credit card thickness? Does it stay that way over time?

- No offense meant: do you know how to re-string properly? Do you stretch the strings and keep them under tension at the post while winding them? Do you stretch after that several times?

- Have you ever had a qualified tech take a look at it? You could have a problem at the nut where the strings stick and then slip. You might need much better tuners.

Most instruments in the wild - especially those from Ibanez - are stable these days. There Should be a complete solution for this, but it might require a tech to tell you what it is.

The 300 series Ibanez basses are Fine.

[MarkBC]

Might be an issue with the cheaper Sound Gear models. I play on an SR506 and have had zero tuning problems, it stayed in tune for over a week when I was on vacation.

[droo46]

There's nothing wrong the the 300 series. The one I have on the wall where I work stays in tune almost perfectly week after week.

[Pawnbroker]

Originally Posted by SBassman

- Eyeball the neck. Fret at top and bottom of the fretboard. Look at the clearance of the strings. Is it about a credit card thickness? Does it stay that way over time?

- No offense meant: do you know how to re-string properly? Do you stretch the strings and keep them under tension at the post while winding them? Do you stretch after that several times?

- Have you ever had a qualified tech take a look at it? You could have a problem at the nut where the strings stick and then slip. You might need much better tuners.

Most instruments in the wild - especially those from Ibanez - are stable these days. There Should be a complete solution for this, but it might require a tech to tell you what it is.

The 300 series Ibanez basses are Fine.

Thanks man; good to know. I'm going to have a tech nearby take a look at it as I've never troubleshot this particular thing.

[Blind Rat]

I have an sr300L and at first mine went out i found that the grub screws on the bridge saddles were working loose slowly,lowering the action as well.
A drop of nail polish in the screw holes fixed that as well as a good set of strings(stock were crap)

[mr.black]

all strings or just one? how many winds around each tuning post?

[Mousekillaz]

Ibanez are decent basses for the money, tuning should be quite stable. Assuming you have strung it properly, it should stay in tune. Did you make sure the strings cut ends are inserted into the holes in the center of the tuning machines? If not, they will slip.

[Pilgrim]

Nine chances of 10 that the strings are installed wrong, without the ends inserted into the hole and without enough wraps to hold steady.

[darkstorm]

The one bad thing about the sr300 is the screws for the saddle adjustment on many are too narrow casuing saddle creep down from string vibrations. Thats prob whats happening. use some locktite or similiar to stop this saddle creep down on the overly narrow screws. Or not wound right and enough times on tuning peg end.

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Nine chances of 10 that the strings are installed wrong, without the ends inserted into the hole and without enough wraps to hold steady.

This.

It could also be a number of things added together that just aren't keeping the bass in tune. My money is on the string installation. Could also be the nut, the tuners are loose, or the bridge. You did say it's gotten worse over the years. Has it ever had a good setup? Seasonal changes can screw with tuning, and never correctly them will just make it worse during the next seasonal change.

There is nothing wrong with a 300 series Ibby, you don't need to upgrade unless it's broken.

[MostlyBass]

My SR505 has been awesome...It's been a really great bass.

[Growly Lytes]

What can i say that hasnt been said ?
Check everything yourself or take it to a pro for a check up.

[NoFretsNoWorry]

These ideas have helped me:

1) no more/no less than 2 windings on tuning peg

2) use powdered graphite on nut; if you hear clicking on nut when tuning definitely use graphite! (get at hardware for about a $1 or 2)

[Dug2]

if yer unsure of restringing or set ups; get on youtube and look around. i was
lucky to get the set up issues i was having under control with the help of the
good people here. lots of helpful stuff on this topic on youtube