Tuners on J-45?

[FiggyPudding18]

Hey AGF,

I bought a 2020 new Gibson J-45 in August. Loving the guitar but noticing I have to tune it pretty regularly. Could be just me being OCD, or just the fact that guitars are imperfect instruments, but...idk. Last string change was with pro set up. The website describes the tuners that came with it as "grover rotomatic with kidney buttons" but I don't know if that means the 14:1 ratio or 18:1, or which model of rotomatics specifically. I'm trying to find out how good my current tuners are and if an upgrade would actually help. Thanks!

[Goodallboy]

Originally Posted by FiggyPudding18

Hey AGF,

I bought a 2020 new Gibson J-45 in August. Loving the guitar but noticing I have to tune it pretty regularly. Could be just me being OCD, or just the fact that guitars are imperfect instruments, but...idk. Last string change was with pro set up. The website describes the tuners that came with it as "grover rotomatic with kidney buttons" but I don't know if that means the 14:1 ratio or 18:1, or which model of rotomatics specifically. I'm trying to find out how good my current tuners are and if an upgrade would actually help. Thanks!

I tune my guitars pretty regularly, it’s just the nature of wood, temperature, humidity, etc..

The only guitar I own that doesn’t need as much attention is my carbon fiber guitar.

I have to remind my buddy to tune his guitar, he doesn’t hear when it’s out of tune. He, like others, may not tune as much as you or I.

[phavriluk]

Every time I pick up the guitar to play it, it gets tuned. And always needs it. A feature of all such instruments, no extra charge.

[jdto]

Is it going out of tune while you play it, or just needs tuning when you first pick it up? What sort of humidity and temperature swings do you have in the place where you keep it? My guitars live in my office where temperatures range between 17 and 22 C and humidity between 40 and 50%. I usually have to tune all of the strings on a guitar every time I pick it up for the first time that day, but then they mostly hold tune for the playing session with some occasional smaller ad-hoc tune-ups.

[Goodallboy]

Originally Posted by jdto

Is it going out of tune while you play it, or just needs tuning when you first pick it up? What sort of humidity and temperature swings do you have in the place where you keep it? My guitars live in my office where temperatures range between 17 and 22 C and humidity between 40 and 50%. I usually have to tune a guitar every time I pick it up for the first time that day, but then they hold tune for the playing session.

I always read these claims, and I’m sure you’re sincere, but I’ve never seen a performer that didn’t tune their guitar multiple times during a performance.

[jdto]

Originally Posted by Goodallboy

I always read these claims, and I’m sure you’re sincere, but I’ve never seen a performer that didn’t tune their guitar multiple times during a performance.

Fair point. I should say “mostly” hold tune. But yeah, things still do move even while playing.

[FiggyPudding18]

Originally Posted by Goodallboy

I always read these claims, and I’m sure you’re sincere, but I’ve never seen a performer that didn’t tune their guitar multiple times during a performance.

That’s a good point.

I keep temp and humidity pretty consistent I think, not sure how to answer jdto’s question—I guess I usually notice that a string or two has fallen out of tune. Could be while playing or before playing.

I feel like my J-45 goes out of tune a little more than the previous long scale Taylor and Martin that I had, so perhaps it could just be the short scale that causes it to go out of tune a little more?

[Rogerblair]

Most tuning issues are not due to faulty tuners. The Grovers on your J45 are about as stable as any out there.

Humidity and temp swings, improper tuning technique, and strings binding at the nut are typical causes for tuning issues.

This time of year (at least in the Midwest) brings on problems with stability in the neck and body, resulting in frustration for those of us who hear out of tuneness (is that a term?).

I doubt if changing the tuners would make a difference.

Rb

[Bob from Brooklyn]

I need to tune my J45 more than the others. I plan on swapping out the tuners at some point. The Grovers feel 'sloppy'.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by Brooklyn Bob

I need to tune my J45 more than the others. I plan on swapping out the tuners at some point. The Grovers feel 'sloppy'.

Have you tried adjusting them?
Hold the tuner button and tighten the tuner button screw - there's a tiny wavy spring steel washer on the shaft and tightening the screw compresses it and reduces that sloppy feel.



I took this picture with strings on but it's best to do with strings off.

[KalamazooGuy]

For the most part, you are not being OCD. I have a couple guitars that always seem in tune, no matter what, and at all times.

It reminds me of the often told story of the one who takes out a beloved guitar that was in storage and low and behold, it's in perfect tune.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Have you tried adjusting them?
Hold the tuner button and tighten the tuner button screw - there's a tiny wavy spring steel washer on the shaft and tightening the screw compresses it and reduces that sloppy feel.



I took this picture with strings on but it's best to do with strings off.

Thanks Bruce, I'll give it a shot

[pickinray]

Originally Posted by FiggyPudding18

Hey AGF,

I bought a 2020 new Gibson J-45 in August. Loving the guitar but noticing I have to tune it pretty regularly. Could be just me being OCD, or just the fact that guitars are imperfect instruments, but...idk. Last string change was with pro set up. The website describes the tuners that came with it as "grover rotomatic with kidney buttons" but I don't know if that means the 14:1 ratio or 18:1, or which model of rotomatics specifically. I'm trying to find out how good my current tuners are and if an upgrade would actually help. Thanks!

The next time you take the strings off, make 14 full turns of the tuner button and see how much the string post revolves. If it's one complete revolution, your tuners are 14:1. If it's about 3/4 of a revolution, they're probably 18:1. FWIW, my Martin D-35 came with Grover Roto's as the stock tuners and they work great for me.

[davidd]

Don't over tighten the screws on Grovers!

[SalFromChatham]

Originally Posted by Rogerblair

Most tuning issues are not due to faulty tuners. The Grovers on your J45 are about as stable as any out there.

Humidity and temp swings, improper tuning technique, and strings binding at the nut are typical causes for tuning issues.

This time of year (at least in the Midwest) brings on problems with stability in the neck and body, resulting in frustration for those of us who hear out of tuneness (is that a term?).

I doubt if changing the tuners would make a difference.

Rb

Yep. They are great tuners. More likely humidity fluctuations... Newer guitars have a high moisture content to the wood I think than those a decade old for example. I would expect a new guitar to fluctuate more? But I am not a luthier. I just play one by reading AGF