Alexrkstr said:
Hi guys,
My epiphone LP-100 comes out of tune too frequently. It's really hard to tune it to the green light.
How can I fix this problem? Should I buy another guitar?
Thanks.
Alex
My money's on the nut. Cheap guitars usually have plastic nuts (easy, now!) which can be very bad for staying in tune because of friction. If the slots are cut too narrow for the strings you are using, then it can be a lot worse. For a guitar to stay in tune, it is imperative that the string tension be the same on both sides of the nut.
Here's a test: Tune a string down a few semitones and then bring it up to pitch as quickly as you can while watching your tuner. Once it gets there pick the string gently for 10 or 15 seconds, still watching the tuner. Does it drift sharp? If so, your nut is retaining tension and is the cause of your problem.
Here's another one: Bring a string to pitch. Stretch it manually. Does it go flat? Now, without touching a the tuning peg, squeeze the part of the string that's between the nut and the peg down to the wood. Does it return to pitch, or even go a little sharp? If so - same thing, your nut is retaining tension.
You can help the problem somewhat with lubrication; I use a slurry of teflon grease and graphite on my Strat with floating bridge. I put a tiny dot of it in each slot on the nut every time I change the strings. (Bumper sticker - "Strat players grease their nuts")
The real solution to your problem, though, assuming I have diagnosed it correctly, is to take your axe to a good guitar shop and have them cut a bone nut for it with the slots cut for the gauge strings you are using. Oh, and the lighter gauge strings you use, the more susceptible your guitar will be to this kind of thing. Use the heaviest strings you can handle; your tone will be better, too.