Improving on-stage tuning stability...

[exalted]

I've got three guitars: A Schecter and two Warmoths. The Schecter is stock, and the Warmoths both have Schaller locking tuners; one is finished maple with rosewood fretboard, the other is one-piece rosewood. All three are hardtails.

When I'm playing at home, all three stay in tune perfectly.

When I'm playing a gig, though, things change significantly. Neither of my Warmoths can stay in tune for longer than a song and a half (yes, that's as bad as it implies). My Schecter doesn't have that issue. So while i'm sure I'm rougher on my guitars while performing on stage, I'm obviously not doing anything catastrophic.

Anyone have any tips for keeping my axes in tune?

 

[whyachi]

Play them in front of just a few people they're comfortable with and slowly work up to a full crowd. Stage fright happens to everyone. They're worried the spotlights will show any blemishes in their finish, that their naked necks will be stared at, no wonder they can't hold onto a string.

:toothy12:

 

[exalted]

My Schecter must be quite the floozy.  :icon_jokercolor:

 

[drewfx]

My first thought would be maybe a problem at the nut?

drewfx

 

[hannaugh]

That's weird, man.  Are you just hitting the strings a lot harder when you're playing for a crowd?

 

[exalted]

That's weird, man.  Are you just hitting the strings a lot harder when you're playing for a crowd?

I'm sure I am. It's just frustrating that my Korean-built Schecter holds up better than my me-built Warmoths.

 

[mayfly]

It's the nut.  You've got some binding going on there.  here's what I'd do:

1 - enlarge the slots a bit with nut files.  You can use guitar strings in a pinch.  Don't laugh - for this purpose it works pretty well.

2 - get some lube on there.  I've always had good results with pencil led

3 - get a roller string tree.

That should do it!

 

[exalted]

Cool. I'll give those a try. Thanks, Mayfly!

 

[drewfx]

I've never needed string trees with locking tuners, YMMV...

 

[hannaugh]

2 - get some lube on there.  I've always had good results with pencil led

+1  It's amazing what you can accomplish with a little graphite.