String out of tune

[aphantomvaper]

Hi! I've had my SE PG for a while now.

I am disappointed because the D string has gone out of tune.

I don't have the time to take it to a Luthier for retuning. What can I do??

 

[veinbuster]

Try turning the little spinny thing on the upper left of the headstock.

 

[RickP]

From your limited description, it could be a few different things.

1. If it, at one point, stayed in tune and now doesn’t the strings are worn out and should be replaced. That means all of them.
2. If the D string doesn’t tune and play correctly but the other strings do, the intonation setting is off. There are plenty of YouTube videos on setting your intonation. You can start by checking the D string only, and if that fixes it, great. If not, set the intonation on all strings. This is best done with new strings that have been stretched/played in a bit so that your result isn’t tainted by a dead or near-dead string.

Good luck in finding your issue and getting it fixed. A guitar that won’t play in tune isn’t much use!

EDIT: Noting veinbuster’s post, I may have omitted a critical first step. You did tune the guitar, right?

 

[ScottR]

What they said. And I'll add...try a little graphite (pencil lead) in the nut slot. Or any commercial nut lube like Nut Sauce. I always use a pencil on the nut slots, when I change strings...but really I just wanted to say nut sauce.

 

[bodia]

I'd just play the other 5 and avoid that one

 

[alantig]

I'd retune the other 5 strings. The D string is clearly the leader.

 

[AP515]

All kidding aside, if the D string won't stay in tune, I would first use the stringing method on the PRS website.

PRS Non-Locking Tuners (prsguitars.com)

That will do the most to stabilize tuning. Then let us know if it is fixed. If not we will have other ideas.

 

[Dirty_Boogie]

I'm guessing that since this is April 1st...

 

[Maxime Bousquet]

What they said. And I'll add...try a little graphite (pencil lead) in the nut slot. Or any commercial nut lube like Nut Sauce. I always use a pencil on the nut slots, when I change strings...but really I just wanted to say nut sauce.

you are right ScottR!!
the important thing is the nut sauce, I had to say it too, nut sauce, it's done!

 

[Black Plaid]

Hi! I've had my SE PG for a while now.

I am disappointed because the D string has gone out of tune.

I don't have the time to take it to a Luthier for returning. What can I do??

I'm afraid you are the victim of what's referred to as 'Planned Obsolescence'.

Paul knew that sooner or later one of the strings would go out of tune, and the only thing you can do is to buy a new guitar when this happens.

 

[aphantomvaper]

I'm guessing that since this is April 1st...

Bingo. You win!

Happy April Fools!

 

[Glenn Gross]

You win a Sunset Sky!

 

[alantig]

Happy April, Fools!

That seems kind of harsh.

 

[RickP]

Oh well, if you’re going to get fooled, it might as well be while trying to be helpful. It’s not the worst forum question I’ve ever seen!

 

[Dirty_Boogie]

Bingo. You win!

Happy April Fools!

A slipping G-string would have been too obvious

 

[veinbuster]

That seems kind of harsh.

Don't want to be restricted to April?
Me either.

 

[aphantomvaper]

Tricky, adding the comma to my statement. It makes it totally different.

This is why I like this place! No fools here, only foolers!

I was hoping to see how many people would say "nut sauce" but alas, not as many as I'd expected.

On to plan next years gag!