How do you keep a Stratocaster in tune???

Axe_meister

Do you have the bent metal string trees or roller string trees? Wound strings can snag on the bent metal trees

Voxman

steamabacus said:

Signore Frudua has a video specifically on setting up a two-pivot trem as well.

Huge plus 1 for this vid. It's my go to when setting up a floating trem for my 2009 USA Standard with 2 point trem which stays in tune really well. I love the simplicity and practicality of using post it notes, which works brilliantly. 

skunkwerx

Check where the strings come thru the baseplate of the trem. If they contact the metal there before the saddle its another place to bind thats overlooked. 

I have this on my parker, some big bends sleeves have helped. 

Like others have said, widen the nut slots without deepening them. 

Check break angle over nut and string tree. If its too steep, or the strings arent leaving the nut in a fairly straight line to the tuners, that can cause places for them to bind.  Lube underside of tree. I like the barrel ones better than the butterfly type. 

Also check your claw is parallel, put springs on parallel not in v shape, see if it helps. 

Is it all strings? Or just some? Do they return sharp or flat? 

Funkfingers

FarleyUK said:

… it's been stuck in my loft, unplayed …

For how long was the guitar in your loft?

How long has it been in your living space?

Differences in humidity could be affecting the wood. 

My technique for setting up a fulcrum vibrato without string clamping devices is freely stolen from Dan Erlewine. It is fully explained and illustrated in Dan's books and his articles on the StewMac website.

richman6100

@FarleyUK Chandler should sort it out for you if you've already paid him to do so. As others have said, the nut is the usual culprit, assuming the trem is set up properly. There are other things that can help - decent tuners, string tree etc, but I found that an Earvana nut did more. Feline sorted my Strat and sorted it properly. Installed an Earvana and did a full setup - I've had no tuning issues since.

BillDL

There are good bent metal butterfly string trees and bad ones.

Good - note the curved underside of the bent over wingsfrom front to rear.  As long as it's not set too low the strings run on a curve underneath and don't tough the front or back edges:

Bad - Flat from front to back, so no matter what height it is set at the string will rub on the sharp front or back edge or both:

greejn

It's that word loft that might be part of the problem. Constant playing might help too?

SquierDude

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guitars4you

chris78 said:

I can not play a Strat for weeks, pick it up and it’s in tune. As others have said, it’s virtually always the nut if it’s not staying in tune.
If you’ve paid Chandlers, take it back in and tell
them to sort it out. 

Totally agree - It has been set up by a workshop with a big reputation - So if it is not correct they need to look at it again

I suspect the nut - 2 post trees are not designed to be 'blocked' as such - Doesn't harm them if done EC style, but not 'decked' against the body - Don't order new tuners until Chandlers have looked at it again - It rarely is the tuners at fault 

ICBM

guitars4you said:

Don't order new tuners until Chandlers have looked at it again - It rarely is the tuners at fault 

Almost never, if it’s a modern enough guitar to have a 2-post bridge. I’d probably say never, but I remembered some Marlin/Hohner Strat copies have 2-post bridges.

FarleyUK

Thanks all - just tested bending behind the nut, and seems it's the G string. It always ends up sharp when I bend it, whereas other strings are fine. When I use the tremolo, it seems everything is slightly sharp.

Here are pictures of the bridge and string trees:





That video is really helpful, thank you - I'll give that a try as well. I ordered some Graph Tech TUSQ saddles as well, so will see if they also make a difference.

RE: the comment about being in the loft - it's not been in the loft for about 5 months now, just to be clear.

Yorkie

What's that fluff on the string trees? 

stickyfiddle

It’s the nut. 

You don’t need saddles or tuners. Don’t do anything until the nut is 100%

Winny_Pooh

Graphtec string trees may be better than new saddles. Nut may need to ne fettled more or recut. Is there a lubricant of some sort in the nut slots? 

guitars4you

Yorkie said:

What's that fluff on the string trees? 

I suspect it is some grease/nut lube - It won't do any harm to clean under the G string roller in case of any 'sharp' edges so it stops a smooth travel of the string - To and fro a couple of times with a small round needle file , just to clear any debris

But as others keep saying that the nut is probably the suspect 

FarleyUK

Yeah, you can see the lube remnants in the nut, string trees and saddles.

digitalkettle

That bridge looks super tight to the scratchplate...any binding?

TheMarlin

My Strat always stays in tune, other than a tweak for winter/summer temperature. 

Makes sure it’s got a decent properly setup floating trem (mine had an excellent Gotoh), and make sure the nut is properly sorted!

Pay as much attention to the entry/exit point of the nut slot as the slot itself. Any sharp edges, or severe angles cause binding. 

Chuffola

It's always the nut. Tuners, saddles etc are a last resort.

New well cut nut and you'll have no issues. As most others have said, don't waste money on things that are highly unlikely to fix the problem

ICBM

digitalkettle said:

That bridge looks super tight to the scratchplate...any binding?

This - it’s binding against the pickguard. You will need to carefully file back the edge of the guard to leave some clearance. I would remove enough so the gap in front of the bridge is about the same as at the treble side, at least.