Hi.
I have some trouble getting my recent i build in tune.
I have checked that my saddle isn't holding any strings back.
Can it be a problem that the tuners are installed without bushings? Maybe they get stock on the holes and causing trouble getting it in tune?
If I remember correctly I drilled it the same diameter as the tuner shaft (6mm)
If the knobs are hard to turn then it might be that the holes are too tight. I have not used bushings on slot head instruments, so I know they're not entirely necessary. If the knobs are not too hard to turn then it might be something else, like tight slots in the nut or something. Best of luck with figuring it out.
What kind of difficulties are you having in getting it in tune?
Do the tuners turn freely when there are no strings?
If not, the holes ARE too tight.
To make the tuner holes just a bit looser, stick a strip of sandpaper into a cotter pin, chuck it in your drill, and spin it into the hole for a few seconds.
quote:
Originally posted by A Drum On A StickWhat kind of difficulties are you having in getting it in tune?
when I tune the string I have to start over again realizing they are suddenly sharp almost #. I off cause tune from low and up. Does it make sense?
The slothead tuners on my 70's Yamaha 12-string are silky because Chuck Cellino did the work. They don't go "dink" because the nut is wide enough.
StewMac has great new ones, but you already might have good quality cut gears, that's the ticket, the cut.
So I think Mike Gregory has the "juice." and that is a very fine little 5-string you have there. Kasper of the Bunk people.
Drum on a stick is here, he will help us. Great thread, ask for thinking, I mean thanks for asking.
Dimbo Moja is indeed a drum on a stick, a one stick is a different drummer indeed. Jambo Simba.
Edited by - Helix on 05/26/2023 16:16:25
quote:
Originally posted by kasperbunkquote:
Originally posted by A Drum On A StickWhat kind of difficulties are you having in getting it in tune?
when I tune the string I have to start over again realizing they are suddenly sharp almost #. I off cause tune from low and up. Does it make sense?
If I understand correctly, it sounds like the strings are binding in the nut slots. The 3rd and 2nd strings are at quite a sharp angle there between the peg and the nut. It might help some to wind the strings so they come off the shaft nearer to the center of the peghead.
Too little string tension can cause (or exacerbate) that problem. What's the scale length on that banjo, what sort (and gauge) of strings, and what pitch are you tuning to?
Dan Gellert I agree, I wind from the bottom of the string coil so the string goes to the nut nearer the bottom of the post.
I have now. Widen the slots. Enlarged the holes for the tuners. Put in graphite in the slots. Thighten the tailpiece. Hoping this will help. I’ll give it a couple of days for the strings to set. Fingers crossed:-)
I understand it is a kind of open guitarlike tuners you have. A little oiling of the toothed wheels and and the worms won´t harm among the other things. Good luck. Steen
If the peg shaft is not turning smoothly, but the string is moving freely through the nut, it will stick and overshoot a LOT more when tuning down than when tuning up.
A string which is binding in the nut (or against the peghead) will stick about equally going both ways.
quote:
Originally posted by Dan GellertIf the peg shaft is not turning smoothly, but the string is moving freely through the nut, it will stick and overshoot a LOT more when tuning down than when tuning up.
A string which is binding in the nut (or against the peghead) will stick about equally going both ways.
To Dan's point, a symptom can have more than one cause. The trick is to study the problem carefully to identify the right one. If the nut slot is pinching, you will see the tuner shaft turn without the pitch changing (turn slowly). With a worn gear or work, slowly turning the button will not turn the shaft at first. What can be really frustrating is when you have both problems going on simultaneously.
Good luck!
