Need Guitar Help

Talk about anything here.

Moderators: Randy Perry, The Flying Dutchman, Stiltzkin, skezza, Trigger

Paul Wolfe
Mass Poster
Posts: 5272
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:19 am

Need Guitar Help

Post by Paul Wolfe »

Okay, so my 6-year-old decided it's time to be serious about learning to play guitar. I've got a Squire Mini Strat that I bought years ago so all the kids in my life had a guitar to knock around instead of playing with my guitars. It's a 3/4 size guitar that is perfect for a youngster.

Anyway, the B string doesn't want to stay in tune! The strings on this guitar aren't too old, but not brand new either. So tonight I was tuning it up and all was well. Then I strummed through a few chords and it sounded odd. I checked the tuning and the B string was out of tune. I re-tuned and again strummed a few chords, all is well. I strated arpeggiating the chords and, again, the B string is out of tune!

Any thoughts on why one string is continually going out and not any of the others?

By the way, this is what a 3/4 guitar looks like (this is not my kid - and his guitar has been re-painted neon green)... isn't it cute?


Image
Cpt Matt Sparrow
Mass Poster
Posts: 3565
Joined: Sun Jul 15, 2007 8:57 am

Post by Cpt Matt Sparrow »

Hi Rocky

I don't know why your son's guitar does this, but from the times I have tuned pupil's guitars this story sounds very familar.

The intonation always seems out on these models.

I tune it all and then go to play an E chord and it then sounds like Matt is tone deaf (aghh maybe I am am, and the Squier is fine LOL)

Matt
Having a break from online activity for a while to concentrate on music. Please email if you need to get in touch. Matt
User avatar
deansolo
Cool Member
Posts: 187
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2006 6:15 am
Location: San Luis Rey, California U.S.A.
Contact:

Post by deansolo »

Sounds like the string is hanging up somewhere. Check the nut's slot and the string saddle for burrs.
Cat's-Eye pedals now available at Vintage and Rare Guitars, London and Bath, United Kingdom

"Have you hugged your Cat's-Eye pedal today?"

www.cats-eyeesp.com
www.myspace.com/catseyeesp
skezza
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 1952
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2006 3:10 pm
Location: England
Contact:

Post by skezza »

Like Matthew said, check the intonation. I had a problem on a squier a few years with a duff machine head slipping. Check it doesnt slip as you play the string. It may sound stupid but make sure the string is staying UNDER the string tree as well. Just general checks like that.
rice_pudding
Mass Poster
Posts: 1734
Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:49 pm
Location: UK

Post by rice_pudding »

could be intonation but i think deansolo's suggestion is probably closer to the root of the problem. only other tip i can offer is to make sure the nut is fitting the string right.

i've heard of similar problems with squires before... they're ok guitars but the machine heads never seem to get good reviews :?
DayNah
Cool Member
Posts: 154
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 4:51 am
Location: Moncton NB Canada

Post by DayNah »

Intonation...........It needs to be set up.....
Paul Wolfe
Mass Poster
Posts: 5272
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:19 am

Post by Paul Wolfe »

Y'know, I took the string tree off and lubricated the nut and that did the trick...

Thank you all for your help.
skezza
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 1952
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2006 3:10 pm
Location: England
Contact:

Post by skezza »

RockyRhoads wrote:Y'know, I took the string tree off and lubricated the nut and that did the trick...

Thank you all for your help.
Excellent, glad its all working and ready for soloing :D
User avatar
deansolo
Cool Member
Posts: 187
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2006 6:15 am
Location: San Luis Rey, California U.S.A.
Contact:

Post by deansolo »

RockyRhoads wrote:Y'know, I took the string tree off and lubricated the nut and that did the trick...

Thank you all for your help.
I knew it....See, there you go......you should always listen to "the old guy"! :D :lol:
Cat's-Eye pedals now available at Vintage and Rare Guitars, London and Bath, United Kingdom

"Have you hugged your Cat's-Eye pedal today?"

www.cats-eyeesp.com
www.myspace.com/catseyeesp
skezza
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 1952
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2006 3:10 pm
Location: England
Contact:

Post by skezza »

deansolo wrote:
RockyRhoads wrote:Y'know, I took the string tree off and lubricated the nut and that did the trick...

Thank you all for your help.
I knew it....See, there you go......you should always listen to "the old guy"! :D :lol:
:cry: old farts club win again
frank
Student & Friend of Randy
Posts: 1150
Joined: Sat Oct 14, 2006 3:45 am

Post by frank »

old guys rule! pass me the metamucil dean!
Last edited by frank on Fri Oct 24, 2008 2:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
deansolo
Cool Member
Posts: 187
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2006 6:15 am
Location: San Luis Rey, California U.S.A.
Contact:

Post by deansolo »

frank wrote:old guys rule! pass me the metamucil dean!
:lol:
Cat's-Eye pedals now available at Vintage and Rare Guitars, London and Bath, United Kingdom

"Have you hugged your Cat's-Eye pedal today?"

www.cats-eyeesp.com
www.myspace.com/catseyeesp
Paul Wolfe
Mass Poster
Posts: 5272
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:19 am

Post by Paul Wolfe »

frank wrote:old guys rule! pass me the metamucil dean!

Frank, maybe you should check this out
:wink:

Image Image
User avatar
lil_miz_rhoads
Cool Member
Posts: 116
Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2007 5:14 pm
Location: united states

that must get on your nerves

Post by lil_miz_rhoads »

i have no frickin idea
My life is a Black abyss...
XXMisunderstoodXX
Paul Wolfe
Mass Poster
Posts: 5272
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:19 am

Re: that must get on your nerves

Post by Paul Wolfe »

lil_miz_rhoads wrote:i have no frickin idea
That's okay, I got it up and running pretty well. Do you play guitar lil_miz_rhoads or are you interested in playing guitar?
Post Reply