A Little Trouble staying in tune...

[HarrySound]

I just recently switched from a .10 gauge set to a .9.5 gauge set of D'addarrio.
The tension is much much more pleasing to me now with my older weaker hands.
I'm having a little trouble staying in tune though, especially when using the tremolo arm.
I adjusted the claw springs in the trem so the bridge is nice and flush with the body just like it was set from the factory with the 10s.
I never had a problem with it staying in tune with 10s so to me it makes little sense a small downgrade in string thickness would make any difference to the general setup of the guitar.
If I went up a gauge I would understand, it would be catching on the nut perhaps.
any ideas?

Before anyone asks these string have been on here for about a month now s they are nicely stretched.

 

[jep1210]

I have the same problem on my 2018 SE24...though not as a result of a gauge change. I've tried pencil graphite but the SOB will not stay in tune, always goes sharp on all strings.

 

[dogrocketp]

Jep, Have the nut replaced or reslotted by a competent luthier. Harry, is your guitar an SE? The nut is the weak point. I've had USA PRS nuts put on all 5 of my SE's.

 

[gush]

That's strange. I wouldn't think going down a size would make a difference.

 

[Rider1260]

I've had issues like that before, some guitars just take some time to get used to a different string gauge ( settle in )
Play it hard ( heavy ) trem use for a bit and it should improve,
smaller stings will sit differently in the nut slot so an adjustment may also be need if issue continues

 

[HarrySound]

Jep, Have the nut replaced or reslotted by a competent luthier. Harry, is your guitar an SE? The nut is the weak point. I've had USA PRS nuts put on all 5 of my SE's.

Yeah it’s a USA custom 24. I doubt the nut has any defects, I’ve only changed strings on it 2 times in the 2.5 years I’ve had it.
Maybe I’ll try some nut sauce. The strings I’ve had on it are now about 2 months old I guess, maybe I’ll put a new set on and check everything out

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Is it all the strings or just a few?

 

[Boogie]

I like using Big Bend’s Nut Sauce on the nut and the bridge screws. Once the new strings are completely stretched, it’s tough to knock it out.

 

[HarrySound]

Is it all the strings or just a few?

Well as it’s a trem model as soon as one goes out they all go out. Not by huge amounts but enough to really sour the sound.

 

[gush]

Well as it’s a trem model as soon as one goes out they all go out. Not by huge amounts but enough to really sour the sound.

I think serg is asking if you have to retune all strings or does tuning one or two bring it all back

 

[gush]

I've had issues like that before, some guitars just take some time to get used to a different string gauge ( settle in )
Play it hard ( heavy ) trem use for a bit and it should improve,
smaller stings will sit differently in the nut slot so an adjustment may also be need if issue continues

I do this with my trem guitars when I put new strings on. Work the heck out of that trem, max up and down over and over several times.

Seems to make them behave sooner.

 

[InTooDeep]

I had 1 set of strings on my CE 24 that kept going out of tune. Not sure what it was, I thought my knife edge had gone bad, nope just that set of strings. I changed them and stretched the new set out properly and all was well again. so before doing anything drastic throw another set on there.

 

[Telemesa]

May I ask the brand of strings, and if you're tuning up to the note, or down to the note, and if you give the strings a little tug after tuning, and then recheck them to make sure they stayed in tune?
Thanks

 

[jep1210]

Is it all the strings or just a few?

It's all the strings for me and they always go sharp.