Originally Posted by: muttonbusterOr does someone know of pictures of the correct way to do it? Also, could it be that the strings slip around on the saddles, and is there a trick to keep them from doing that?

I have the classic problem with the B string going out of tune, which is obviously it slipping on the plastic nut. But there is a problem with the other strings going out of tune and that's what I'm asking about.

Also, will leaving your guitar out of the case when you aren't playing make the strings go dead more quickly? I live about 5 miles from the ocean and was wondering if that had something to do with it.

The salt air of the ocean doesn't help, but in my experience at five miles it isn't that much of a factor.

The guitar tech that I go to recommends this:

- don't take all strings off at once, always leave five on when you change one

- when stringing, after the string is on and tuned up, use four fingers to pull the string away from the fretboard (carefully and slowly) to pull out any stuck windings that would later slip and get out of tune. The strings can slip around in the saddles, and this is his fix.

- make sure that there isn't a lot of bend in the string beyond the nut. The string should hit the nut and continue in a relatively straight line (not head down at an angle)


Hope that helps.