Classical String Tuning problems

[chazzan]

Just have been wondering lately...........

I tune both my classicals with a tuner, after about 5-10 minutes of playing (especially live) the G and B strings go sharp......... all the other strings are fine and stay in tune- this happens with both of my guitars and has happened with many different brands of classical strings (good brands)

I check the sharpness with a tuner so I know it's happening and is not my ears- the G string is much worse than the B but both are noticable.

the only thing I can think to do is compensate by tuning the G a little flat

has anyone have any insight on this?????????? does it have something to do with the nylon becoming played and shrinking?????? classical strings IMO are very very succeptable to any temprature changes.

 

[evenkeel]

Do you get a popping noise as you tune the "G" and "B" strings to pitch? If so the nut may be binding the string. You end up with more string tension on the headstock side and as you play it pulls the string sharp. Even w/o the popping noise it's a possibility. In any case you might try cleaning the nut slot and then drop in a bit of lubricant.

 

[kitniyatran]

Nuts what I thought, too.

 

[chazzan]

"nuts" mandosquirrel- how fitting.......... that all you guys think about!

thanks for the reply- I think in this case the nut is fine- i put chapstick in there to help the strings not hang up....... I'm at a loss to what else it could be? Is there a better nut lubericant- I tried this graphite nut sauce and it was awful leaving big black stains- didn't work as well as the chapstick (and I can use it on my lips in the winter as an added bonus!

Could the nylon strings be stretching from the heat??? I would think it they stretched thought they would go flat not sharp?

 

[evenkeel]

I really think the string has to be binding at the nut. Typically the D and G strings are most likely to bind due to the angle between the nut and the tuning peg. Is it possible the strings are wound on the outboard side of the peg, creating more of a sideways pull? I'm assuming it's a slot head here.

Other thoughts on the matter.
1. When you first tune to pitch have you tried to depress the string between the nut and the tuning peg? If you do and the string stays sharp after the pressure is released then that is an indicator the nut is binding.
2. I also use the chapstick lube method. However, I have noticed that after a while I'll get a bit of a muffled tone, most often on the G and B strings, due to dirt getting trapped by the chapstick. It may be possible that the combo of dirt and chapstick is a factor.

Obviously just guessing here.

 

[Brad Little]

Just have been wondering lately...........

I tune both my classicals with a tuner, after about 5-10 minutes of playing (especially live) the G and B strings go sharp......... all the other strings are fine and stay in tune- this happens with both of my guitars and has happened with many different brands of classical strings (good brands)

You might check on the CG forum:
http://www.delcamp.net/forum/en/index.php
You might have to log in to ask, I don't remember, but they have a section devoted to strings.
Brad

 

[chazzan]

Thanks Brad for the Classical Website- it's got a lot of good info- you could spend hours reading the string reviews!

If steel string guitarists think they have TOO many string choices..........think again!