| Most guitar tuning problems on a Stratocaster, arise | | | | heavy set and you'll see what I mean. Strings are your |
| from the old style whammy bar or "vibrato bar" as it's | | | | guitars lifeblood, and as mentioned elsewhere, no Lee |
| correctly called. And although a wonderful, fun, | | | | Chang or Red Dragon 50c Specials! |
| fantastic, and great invention, it does have it's | | | | Sometimes you might hear a pinging sound when you |
| shortcomings. Newer Strat designs and double-locking | | | | use the whammy. This is caused by stored tension in |
| systems have mostly overcome these annoying | | | | the Nut being released as you dip the bar, and then |
| side-effects, but they do have a very different feel to | | | | bam, you're out of tune. If it's an emergency, i.e. it |
| them. | | | | happens in the middle of a song during a gig, try pulling |
| But if you set an old one up properly, and keep it well | | | | the bar up a bit and depending on how far you have |
| lubricated (use sewing machine oil), you can reduce | | | | slipped out of tune, this might just get you back in. At |
| your guitar tuning vibrato-bar problems to a minimum. | | | | least to the end of the song. Hallelujah... |
| It is well worth your while learning all you can about | | | | To solve this annoying and interfering nuisance, some |
| your guitar and music gear, as regards keeping it | | | | good ol' lubrication is needed here. The best thing to |
| serviced and running smoothly. If you don't do it | | | | lubricate the nut-end of things, is graphite. An easy |
| yourself, it means taking it to a repair guy or someone | | | | way to do this, is to use an ordinary pencil, and literally |
| else, every time the slightest thing goes astray. I have | | | | write onto the nut underneath where the strings slot in |
| a mountain of books like this for reference and it's | | | | (lifting it up first, loosen if necessary), and give it a |
| another interesting side of playing. Guitar mags such as | | | | coating of lead. Then the strings just glide along the |
| the excellent and long running Guitar Player, or try | | | | grooves instead of sticking there until you "ping" and |
| Guitar One Magazine, Guitar Amps and so on are also | | | | release them. |
| a mine of information. I'm sure I'm not alone there. | | | | This simple little trick works wonders for Strat guitar |
| An important point to remember when it comes to | | | | tuning dilemmas. Depending on your style and how |
| choosing strings is don't "Cheat on the Cheese". This | | | | often you gig, once a week of this treatment should |
| too is a major source of Guitar Tuning problems even | | | | be fine. Vaseline is also recommended for this task but |
| nightmares! Try a few different brand types out, and | | | | I think it's a bit messy and more suitable to nappy rash |
| only buy from recognized and reputable guitar-string | | | | ;-). |
| makers. Different players, styles and guitars have | | | | Remember Guitar Tuning is half the battle as they say, |
| different needs. Always go with a respected | | | | so it's seriously worth getting right at an early stage. |
| brandname such as "Ernie Ball" or "Fender". | | | | Good or excellent guitar tuning skills, will automatically |
| I like 9's on a Strat and something heavier on an | | | | improve your musical ear and this also helps you play |
| electric guitar with no whammy bar. You can | | | | better. There's nothing worse or more unprofessional |
| experiment with gauges yourself, find one you like and | | | | than a "lazy ear" player, who flies around on the guitar |
| stick to it, especially on a guitar with an old style | | | | no problem, but the guitar is constantly out of tune. So |
| hand-vibrato on it, ok whammy-bar. If you intend to | | | | pay attention to your strings and look after them and |
| play slide on electric or acoustic guitars, use heavy | | | | you will be repaid back a hundred times. |
| gauge for the best tone and tuning. In general the | | | | Next we are under the bridge, plus we will be having a |
| heavier the string the heavier the tone, but they are | | | | look at the all important monthly guitar-neck massage. |
| harder to play and control. Try bending a g string on a | | | | |