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