Classical Guitar Nylon String Guitar Tuning Problems

Date: Sun, 9 May 2004 18:41:35 EDT
Subject: Gibson C-1 Question

I recently got a gibson C-1 classical with nylon strings. It has been in storage for a few years. when I got it out and tried to restring it the E1 string would not tune correctly. When I got it close to the right tune the string was very tight and ended up breaking. I've tried tuning it slowly over a couple of days but nothing seems to work. Please send me any suggestions that you might have. Thanks.

Evan

Greetings Evan,

I'm not sure what could be causing this...without seeing it in person, I can only offer up a few measures:

(Some of these you may already being doing)

1. Make sure that you're starting out with a complete set of new Classical Guitar strings...see if the ball ends will fit in your bridge...this minimizes having to tie them which can take awhile to settle in...

2. Use an electronic tuner...so that you can keep an eye on the strings stretching, slippage, and along with making sure that the strings are at concert pitch...

3. After installing the new strings, tune them up to pitch, and then pull them lightly so that they are pre-stretched...this will minimize the strings from going out of tune...

4. Make sure, on the slotted head, where the nylon string ties on the shaft, to tie under the winding...so that the string is locked from slipping on the tuning shaft. This is also true on the bridge where the string ties behind the saddle...make sure it's tied properly so that the string is locked on both ends.

5. Make sure that the nut and saddle do not have any aberrations...this can cut into the strings and cause them to break. Take some extra fine sandpaper and go over each respective slot, on both the bridge and saddle, so that they have no rough surface...be careful not to overdo this procedure...you want all the strings to be residing at the exact same level. This is also a good measure to ensure that the strings have a smooth surface allowing less "pings" for easier and more accurate tuning.

If none of the above works for you, you'll want to take it in to a local technician to assess any other problems preventing the strings from tuning up properly...

Hope this helps, Mickey