Posted: 9/13/2015 7:44:29 PM EDT
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I bought a used Epiphone Wildcat that of cours goes out of tune with a little hard playing.
I know that allot of it is the nut, because it actually kind of snaps as it slides over the nut when tuning. What nut would you recommend, and how do I figure size etc.? Also, any thoughts on a roller bridge, or is it not really needed? |
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I'm not sold on roller bridges, as I've never had a problem with a Tune O Matic.
And like Green Canoe said lubing the nut might help. But I would also check it for wear or debris in the slots. Also, if those are the strings it came with, it could be that the previous owner somehow screwed up when they hung the strings. Personally, I don't believe in keeping wraps to a minimum, I like to have at least two good turns. I've never had a problem with multiple wraps, as long as I kept the string good and tight while I tightened it up. Letting the string go slack while you tighten it is where some problems can occur. |
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Quoted:
I'm not sold on roller bridges, as I've never had a problem with a Tune O Matic. And like Green Canoe said lubing the nut might help. But I would also check it for wear or debris in the slots. Also, if those are the strings it came with, it could be that the previous owner somehow screwed up when they hung the strings. Personally, I don't believe in keeping wraps to a minimum, I like to have at least two good turns. I've never had a problem with multiple wraps, as long as I kept the string good and tight while I tightened it up. Letting the string go slack while you tighten it is where some problems can occur. I agree with you here. I should have ben more clear. I'm referring to the folks that have a "ball of twine" wrapped around the tuning peg and expect it to stay in tune. |
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I like Graphtech nuts.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/nuts-saddles/graph-tech-tusq-xl-1-4-epiphone-slotted-nut |
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Quoted:
I agree with you here. I should have ben more clear. I'm referring to the folks that have a "ball of twine" wrapped around the tuning peg and expect it to stay in tune. Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm not sold on roller bridges, as I've never had a problem with a Tune O Matic. And like Green Canoe said lubing the nut might help. But I would also check it for wear or debris in the slots. Also, if those are the strings it came with, it could be that the previous owner somehow screwed up when they hung the strings. Personally, I don't believe in keeping wraps to a minimum, I like to have at least two good turns. I've never had a problem with multiple wraps, as long as I kept the string good and tight while I tightened it up. Letting the string go slack while you tighten it is where some problems can occur. I agree with you here. I should have ben more clear. I'm referring to the folks that have a "ball of twine" wrapped around the tuning peg and expect it to stay in tune. First I've heard of a minimum. What's the reasoning? Less string to unwrap? Less friction/departure angle at nut? I do 1 over and at least 2 or 3 under. I wrap what I can around the post, then use the tuners the rest of the way; keeping it taut the whole time. |
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Quoted:
Have you started by lubricating the nut? Have you kept the number of turns on the tuning peg to a minimum? I didn't lube the nut, because there is a distinct kind of pop as the G string moves when I turn the peg. I'm all but certain it's a gonner :) I put new strings on.myself when I bought it. I put only a couple of turns on the pegs, just enough to make sure they weren't too short. |
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Quoted:
I like Graphtech nuts. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/nuts-saddles/graph-tech-tusq-xl-1-4-epiphone-slotted-nut Thanks, I ordered one. |
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Quoted:
I'm not sold on roller bridges, as I've never had a problem with a Tune O Matic. And like Green Canoe said lubing the nut might help. But I would also check it for wear or debris in the slots. Also, if those are the strings it came with, it could be that the previous owner somehow screwed up when they hung the strings. Personally, I don't believe in keeping wraps to a minimum, I like to have at least two good turns. I've never had a problem with multiple wraps, as long as I kept the string good and tight while I tightened it up. Letting the string go slack while you tighten it is where some problems can occur. I always use my right hand to keep the strings taught while I wind them up.I kind of push down with the heel of my palm, and hold tight with my fingers, if that makes sense. These guitars are famous for going out of tune, and there are pages of folks talking about replacing the nut. As for the roller bridge, I'm with you, as I've seen people write that they are good, and that they suck :) I see the tune O matic for Gibson. Reckon they'd fit an epiphone too? |
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Quoted:
I always use my right hand to keep the strings taught while I wind them up.I kind of push down with the heel of my palm, and hold tight with my fingers, if that makes sense. These guitars are famous for going out of tune, and there are pages of folks talking about replacing the nut. As for the roller bridge, I'm with you, as I've seen people write that they are good, and that they suck :) I see the tune O matic for Gibson. Reckon they'd fit an epiphone too? Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm not sold on roller bridges, as I've never had a problem with a Tune O Matic. And like Green Canoe said lubing the nut might help. But I would also check it for wear or debris in the slots. Also, if those are the strings it came with, it could be that the previous owner somehow screwed up when they hung the strings. Personally, I don't believe in keeping wraps to a minimum, I like to have at least two good turns. I've never had a problem with multiple wraps, as long as I kept the string good and tight while I tightened it up. Letting the string go slack while you tighten it is where some problems can occur. I always use my right hand to keep the strings taught while I wind them up.I kind of push down with the heel of my palm, and hold tight with my fingers, if that makes sense. These guitars are famous for going out of tune, and there are pages of folks talking about replacing the nut. As for the roller bridge, I'm with you, as I've seen people write that they are good, and that they suck :) I see the tune O matic for Gibson. Reckon they'd fit an epiphone too? Nope. http://shopgraphtech.com/products.html?CategoryID=19 |
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Quoted:
I agree with you here. I should have ben more clear. I'm referring to the folks that have a "ball of twine" wrapped around the tuning peg and expect it to stay in tune. Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm not sold on roller bridges, as I've never had a problem with a Tune O Matic. And like Green Canoe said lubing the nut might help. But I would also check it for wear or debris in the slots. Also, if those are the strings it came with, it could be that the previous owner somehow screwed up when they hung the strings. Personally, I don't believe in keeping wraps to a minimum, I like to have at least two good turns. I've never had a problem with multiple wraps, as long as I kept the string good and tight while I tightened it up. Letting the string go slack while you tighten it is where some problems can occur. I agree with you here. I should have ben more clear. I'm referring to the folks that have a "ball of twine" wrapped around the tuning peg and expect it to stay in tune. Ah, gotcha. I know what you mean by the ball of twine, I've seen a few like that in pawn shops over the years. 
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Quoted:
First I've heard of a minimum. What's the reasoning? Less string to unwrap? Less friction/departure angle at nut? I do 1 over and at least 2 or 3 under. I wrap what I can around the post, then use the tuners the rest of the way; keeping it taut the whole time. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm not sold on roller bridges, as I've never had a problem with a Tune O Matic. And like Green Canoe said lubing the nut might help. But I would also check it for wear or debris in the slots. Also, if those are the strings it came with, it could be that the previous owner somehow screwed up when they hung the strings. Personally, I don't believe in keeping wraps to a minimum, I like to have at least two good turns. I've never had a problem with multiple wraps, as long as I kept the string good and tight while I tightened it up. Letting the string go slack while you tighten it is where some problems can occur. I agree with you here. I should have ben more clear. I'm referring to the folks that have a "ball of twine" wrapped around the tuning peg and expect it to stay in tune. First I've heard of a minimum. What's the reasoning? Less string to unwrap? Less friction/departure angle at nut? I do 1 over and at least 2 or 3 under. I wrap what I can around the post, then use the tuners the rest of the way; keeping it taut the whole time. He just means, don't wad all of the excess string up on the tuning peg. |
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Quoted:
I always use my right hand to keep the strings taught while I wind them up.I kind of push down with the heel of my palm, and hold tight with my fingers, if that makes sense. These guitars are famous for going out of tune, and there are pages of folks talking about replacing the nut. As for the roller bridge, I'm with you, as I've seen people write that they are good, and that they suck :) I see the tune O matic for Gibson. Reckon they'd fit an epiphone too? Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm not sold on roller bridges, as I've never had a problem with a Tune O Matic. And like Green Canoe said lubing the nut might help. But I would also check it for wear or debris in the slots. Also, if those are the strings it came with, it could be that the previous owner somehow screwed up when they hung the strings. Personally, I don't believe in keeping wraps to a minimum, I like to have at least two good turns. I've never had a problem with multiple wraps, as long as I kept the string good and tight while I tightened it up. Letting the string go slack while you tighten it is where some problems can occur. I always use my right hand to keep the strings taught while I wind them up.I kind of push down with the heel of my palm, and hold tight with my fingers, if that makes sense. These guitars are famous for going out of tune, and there are pages of folks talking about replacing the nut. As for the roller bridge, I'm with you, as I've seen people write that they are good, and that they suck :) I see the tune O matic for Gibson. Reckon they'd fit an epiphone too? No, the size of the posts are different. Aftermarket Tune O Matics are better anyway. The Graphtech stuff posted above is good, but I prefer Tonepros. I also hear good things about Gotoh bridges. www.stewmac.com is a good place to find all of this stuff. |
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Quoted:
He just means, don't wad all of the excess string up on the tuning peg. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm not sold on roller bridges, as I've never had a problem with a Tune O Matic. And like Green Canoe said lubing the nut might help. But I would also check it for wear or debris in the slots. Also, if those are the strings it came with, it could be that the previous owner somehow screwed up when they hung the strings. Personally, I don't believe in keeping wraps to a minimum, I like to have at least two good turns. I've never had a problem with multiple wraps, as long as I kept the string good and tight while I tightened it up. Letting the string go slack while you tighten it is where some problems can occur. I agree with you here. I should have ben more clear. I'm referring to the folks that have a "ball of twine" wrapped around the tuning peg and expect it to stay in tune. First I've heard of a minimum. What's the reasoning? Less string to unwrap? Less friction/departure angle at nut? I do 1 over and at least 2 or 3 under. I wrap what I can around the post, then use the tuners the rest of the way; keeping it taut the whole time. He just means, don't wad all of the excess string up on the tuning peg. Exactly... Just because the string manufacturer gave you 8 inches of extra string doesn't mean it needs to be wrapped around the tuning peg. 
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Quoted:
I didn't lube the nut, because there is a distinct kind of pop as the G string moves when I turn the peg. I'm all but certain it's a gonner :) I put new strings on.myself when I bought it. I put only a couple of turns on the pegs, just enough to make sure they weren't too short. Quoted:
Quoted:
Have you started by lubricating the nut? Have you kept the number of turns on the tuning peg to a minimum? I didn't lube the nut, because there is a distinct kind of pop as the G string moves when I turn the peg. I'm all but certain it's a gonner :) I put new strings on.myself when I bought it. I put only a couple of turns on the pegs, just enough to make sure they weren't too short. Could be the string is just sticking and then once it builds enough tension it slips. One of the easiest things to do is loosen the string and rub some pencil lead dust (graphite) in the nut slot so it gets under the string. This will give it a little dry lube and maybe the string won't stick anymore and that will allow easier tuning and greater stability as one string on one side of the nut will be the same tension as the other. |
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I use the Graph Tech String Savers on my Tuneomatic bridge it works real well.
Graph Tech Saddle I wanted to add since you asked about replacing the nut as well. the Graph Tech TUSQ EX would work real good for a replacement you buy them slotted and uncut. TUSQ Nut for Epis |
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No, the size of the posts are different. Aftermarket Tune O Matics are better anyway. The Graphtech stuff posted above is good, but I prefer Tonepros. I also hear good things about Gotoh bridges. www.stewmac.com is a good place to find all of this stuff. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm not sold on roller bridges, as I've never had a problem with a Tune O Matic. And like Green Canoe said lubing the nut might help. But I would also check it for wear or debris in the slots. Also, if those are the strings it came with, it could be that the previous owner somehow screwed up when they hung the strings. Personally, I don't believe in keeping wraps to a minimum, I like to have at least two good turns. I've never had a problem with multiple wraps, as long as I kept the string good and tight while I tightened it up. Letting the string go slack while you tighten it is where some problems can occur. I always use my right hand to keep the strings taught while I wind them up.I kind of push down with the heel of my palm, and hold tight with my fingers, if that makes sense. These guitars are famous for going out of tune, and there are pages of folks talking about replacing the nut. As for the roller bridge, I'm with you, as I've seen people write that they are good, and that they suck :) I see the tune O matic for Gibson. Reckon they'd fit an epiphone too? No, the size of the posts are different. Aftermarket Tune O Matics are better anyway. The Graphtech stuff posted above is good, but I prefer Tonepros. I also hear good things about Gotoh bridges. www.stewmac.com is a good place to find all of this stuff. Awesome. Thank you. |
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Could be the string is just sticking and then once it builds enough tension it slips. One of the easiest things to do is loosen the string and rub some pencil lead dust (graphite) in the nut slot so it gets under the string. This will give it a little dry lube and maybe the string won't stick anymore and that will allow easier tuning and greater stability as one string on one side of the nut will be the same tension as the other. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Have you started by lubricating the nut? Have you kept the number of turns on the tuning peg to a minimum? I didn't lube the nut, because there is a distinct kind of pop as the G string moves when I turn the peg. I'm all but certain it's a gonner :) I put new strings on.myself when I bought it. I put only a couple of turns on the pegs, just enough to make sure they weren't too short. Could be the string is just sticking and then once it builds enough tension it slips. One of the easiest things to do is loosen the string and rub some pencil lead dust (graphite) in the nut slot so it gets under the string. This will give it a little dry lube and maybe the string won't stick anymore and that will allow easier tuning and greater stability as one string on one side of the nut will be the same tension as the other. I remember doing the pencil lead thing before Floyd Rose came out, and while I was saving to buy one :) |
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Quoted: I always use my right hand to keep the strings taught while I wind them up.I kind of push down with the heel of my palm, and hold tight with my fingers, if that makes sense. These guitars are famous for going out of tune, and there are pages of folks talking about replacing the nut. As for the roller bridge, I'm with you, as I've seen people write that they are good, and that they suck :) I see the tune O matic for Gibson. Reckon they'd fit an epiphone too? Quoted: Quoted: I'm not sold on roller bridges, as I've never had a problem with a Tune O Matic. And like Green Canoe said lubing the nut might help. But I would also check it for wear or debris in the slots. Also, if those are the strings it came with, it could be that the previous owner somehow screwed up when they hung the strings. Personally, I don't believe in keeping wraps to a minimum, I like to have at least two good turns. I've never had a problem with multiple wraps, as long as I kept the string good and tight while I tightened it up. Letting the string go slack while you tighten it is where some problems can occur. I always use my right hand to keep the strings taught while I wind them up.I kind of push down with the heel of my palm, and hold tight with my fingers, if that makes sense. These guitars are famous for going out of tune, and there are pages of folks talking about replacing the nut. As for the roller bridge, I'm with you, as I've seen people write that they are good, and that they suck :) I see the tune O matic for Gibson. Reckon they'd fit an epiphone too? |
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J Quoted:
The bigsby tremolos are famous for not staying in tune. The tunomatic bridge was just not designed for a tremolo, it has too sharp of a break over and if you are trying to use it like a floyd rose style with dive bomb riffs it will never stay in tune. Quoted:
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I'm not sold on roller bridges, as I've never had a problem with a Tune O Matic. And like Green Canoe said lubing the nut might help. But I would also check it for wear or debris in the slots. Also, if those are the strings it came with, it could be that the previous owner somehow screwed up when they hung the strings. Personally, I don't believe in keeping wraps to a minimum, I like to have at least two good turns. I've never had a problem with multiple wraps, as long as I kept the string good and tight while I tightened it up. Letting the string go slack while you tighten it is where some problems can occur. I always use my right hand to keep the strings taught while I wind them up.I kind of push down with the heel of my palm, and hold tight with my fingers, if that makes sense. These guitars are famous for going out of tune, and there are pages of folks talking about replacing the nut. As for the roller bridge, I'm with you, as I've seen people write that they are good, and that they suck :) I see the tune O matic for Gibson. Reckon they'd fit an epiphone too? I'll hardly use the tremolo at all, and when I do, it'd be for a light vibrato only. |
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Ah crap, I forgot that those have Bigsby trems. Those things can be fickle. Even if you only use them a little bit. Kahler trems have also been known to have issues like this and they have a locking nut.
And now I see why you were looking at roller bridges. It would make sense with a Bigsby. Is the Bigsby mounted to the body with screws, or is it the type that mounts to the tailpiece studs and the rear strap button? If it's the latter, you would be able to just throw a stopbar tailpiece on there. |
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Is the Bigsby mounted to the body with screws, or is it the type that mounts to the tailpiece studs and the rear strap button? If it's the latter, you would be able to just throw a stopbar tailpiece on there. Later. Stopbar tailpiece? Just keep the bigsby from moving? |
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Later. Stopbar tailpiece? Just keep the bigsby from moving? Quoted:
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Is the Bigsby mounted to the body with screws, or is it the type that mounts to the tailpiece studs and the rear strap button? If it's the latter, you would be able to just throw a stopbar tailpiece on there. Later. Stopbar tailpiece? Just keep the bigsby from moving? http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Bridges_and_Tailpieces/Electric_Guitar/Gotoh_Stop_Tailpiece.html http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Bridges_and_Tailpieces/Electric_Guitar/Gotoh_Aluminum_Stop_Tailpiece.html I also did an image search for your guitar, and this swap seems to be popular, because most of the pics were of Alley Kats that had a stopbar tailpiece. ETA: If you have a Guitar Center or a decent mom & pop shop, they more than likely have stopbar tailpieces in stock. |