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