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