B String issue

[ebick]

I have a 2011 814ce that I bought new.  A little while back, I had it re-fretted.  I brought it to an extremely reputable and experienced place.  They did a real nice job (I did the stainless steel and highly recommend that). But I have to say that after that work, I started to notice an issue with my B string.  Not all the time, but annoyingly often enough, it will drop significantly out of tune.  Of course, my first thought was the work.  But like I said, reputable, and experienced.  And in my mind, a) although I don’t like “coincidences”, I can’t piece together how a re-fret could affect that, and b) it doesn’t happen regularly enough that I can make it happen in front of them to demo it.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ed

[Frettingflyer]

My first thought would be the tuner? Could it be loose? But then why doesn’t it happen all the time? Will be interested to see what the more experienced here say.

[timfitz63]

I don't know if this will be of any help.  But I've noticed that some of my Taylor guitars seem susceptible to the same thing:  the "B" string slips out of tune (usually flat).  This only seems to happen when I initially pull out the guitar after it's sat for a while inside of its case; and it's always only the "B" string on my Taylor guitars.  After the guitar has been played for a bit, and I re-tune it a couple of times, it seems fine...  A bit baffling to me, but there nonetheless...

But I also often get a similar isolated quirk with strings where my "G" string will start sounding dull while the others still sound fine; don't know if it's just my body chemistry affecting only that particular string or what...?  Odd though...

[ebick]

I don't know if this will be of any help.  But I've noticed that some of my Taylor guitars seem susceptible to the same thing:  the "B" string slips out of tune (usually flat).

Always flat for me

[Ohio Tom]

I have seen them move in the bridgpin.
You install the pin and string. tune it up.
Then, the ferrule slips up into place.
Why the B? Because it's the smoothest string, so it slips the easiest.


To prevent this, I always give the string a bit of bend right at the ferrule so that it is out of the way of the bridgpin as I am inserting it. I pull on the string as I insert the pin.
This puts the ferrule in the right place so it doesn't slip later.

Not sure that answers, but that's what I do and I don't seem to have the issue anymore.

[ebick]

I have seen them move in the bridgpin.
You install the pin and string. tune it up.
Then, the ferrule slips up into place.
Why the B? Because it's the smoothest string, so it slips the easiest.


To prevent this, I always give the string a bit of bend right at the ferrule so that it is out of the way of the bridgpin as I am inserting it. I pull on the string as I insert the pin.
This puts the ferrule in the right place so it doesn't slip later.

Not sure that answers, but that's what I do and I don't seem to have the issue anymore.

Thanks.  I will consider that.

Ed

[CoryB]

To prevent this, I always give the string a bit of bend right at the ferrule so that it is out of the way of the bridgpin as I am inserting it. I pull on the string as I insert the pin.
This puts the ferrule in the right place so it doesn't slip later.

One thing I do to every new guitar on the first string change, is I sand the bottom of the bridge pin at a 45 degree angle with the shortest part being the string slot. This helps prevent the ferrule from catching on the bottom of the pin when it’s inserted. It takes maybe 10 minutes to do during the initial setup.

[GenoBeno]

Howdy,
I suggest stretching your strings. You really need to pull on them a lot. Put the string in tune and then pull on it. Stretch and tune until it stays in tune when you stretch it. Google: “Easy Way To Stretch Guitar Strings” or “How To Stretch Guitar Strings”

I’ve been playing for over 50 years and always thought I adequately stretched new strings. But a friend recently showed me how he stretches strings, I thought the strings would break! But it made a big difference even on the G, B and hight E. 

Hope this helps.

Geno

[ebick]

Howdy,
I suggest stretching your strings. You really need to pull on them a lot. Put the string in tune and then pull on it. Stretch and tune until it stays in tune when you stretch it. Google: “Easy Way To Stretch Guitar Strings” or “How To Stretch Guitar Strings”

I’ve been playing for over 50 years and always thought I adequately stretched new strings. But a friend recently showed me how he stretches strings, I thought the strings would break! But it made a big difference even on the G, B and hight E. 

Hope this helps.

Geno

I do that.  Thanks

[Edward]

Hey Ed,

Heed what Geno said.

I'd normally say check the nut when tuning issues rear their head, but since you are only going flat, I have to surmise it's likely due to insufficient stretching.

You didn't mention whether this is after a recent string change.  Strings will eventually "settle in" once strung up, but getting to that stasis comes much faster if you have properly stretched the strings first.  If not, then every time you play the guitar, the strings haven't "finished stretching out" so to speak, and will absolutely drift flat because playing the guitar is akin to weakly stretching the strings.  This "stretching out" can be slow and irregular, which then can be mistaken for a physical issue with the guitar when, in fact, it's just the strings needing to find that point of stasis.  So yeah, stretch em out.  I have always found the plain strings need considerable stretching out, whereas the wounds need very little to remain stable.

Alternative thought: do you use case your guitar in a soft bag?  I say this because all my guits are rock-solid stable in keeping tune except for when I use my gigbags.  I'm sure it's the tuning keys getting slightly nudged when going to/fro, which obviously will not happen using a hard case,

Edward

[otis66]

Check the string of your guitar for damage. I actually bent a B string with a capo. It caused me all kinds of headache until I realized what had happen. Also try cleaning or changing your guitar strings. Before changing the strings check to see if the tuner is ok.check to see if the strings wound on the tuner are okay. Too many winds on the tuner can through things off. I always try for no more than three winds on each tuner. Check and make sure the bridge pins are seated and also checked to make sure the strings are seated properly in the bridge.