Many people are always telling me vintage guitars are great but they never stay in tune. well this may be the case for some  but the majority is do to a few simple things people can check and do.

First a 50 years old guitar is obviously going to have wear not only on the body but the tuners also. the last thing to do is change tuners but it may be the case with many. when you do just get the retro style tuners and put the real ones in the case and when you sell guitar put them back on. The good thing about repro tuners is you do not have to drill out the guitar headstock and they retro fot in the original holes.

Ok but first do the following. 80% of the problem usually lies in the nut area. after years the nut slots wear down and the string binds on the nut . have your tech file out the slots cleanly and out graphite in the slots and this alone will improve the tuning 100% . if need to replace the nut.  This has to be done by a tech do not do it yourself you need the expertise of a good tech and a jewelers file.

Next problem is nobody winds string correctly anymore. the correct way can be seen on line after you twist back string to lock it ALWAYS WIND STRING DOWNWARDS IN A DOWNWARDS  PATH TO TEH FACE OF HEADSTOCK .This puts a good break angle on the string and helps keep it in tune. So just by stringing  guitar correctly and checking the nut issues I swear 90% of the problems are gone .

As stated the last and final way is to get a new set of tuners but again new tuners without the other two prior steps is futal . so if you get new tuners check the nut issues and wind strings correctly. then you can enjoy that vintage guitar and play it out every night with no issues. Remember these are old instruments and like cars and any collectible they have to be maintained.

If you have any questions please feel free to e mail me at THE PARTS DRAWER  or if you need video tech tips try 300GUITARS.COM

JIM PASCH