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In a previous post, I mentioned my guitar saddle was out approx 1/8" (too close to soundhole). When I tune the guitar, it never seems to stay in tune. Very difficult to tune. Is this related to the intonation question? I have gotoh 510's on it so I don't think it's that. I'm using Daderio lights. I get it tune, but seems not to stay. It's not the new string problem, I've been playing guitar for years, and I'm very familiar with new string issues.

check to see if you have any nut string issues. some times if wraped strings are binding in the nut, when you tune to pitch the the play the string for a short time the bind fially slips and you go flat. other issues can be a good seat of the ball on the bridge plate, slipping wraping on the post, binding in the bridge pin/string holes or not a crisp clean break point on the saddle or nutMichaelP39001.4530555556

could also be those funny little guys that turn your tuning keys when you aren't looking...

seriously, I'm with Mike...I think your strings aren't seated properly...the tension at pitch is probably pulling the string "out" a little at a time and thusly driving you mad!

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

One little trick someone taught me is to bevel the down end of the bridge pin (string side) so that it doesn't push the string down any farther than it takes to clear the bridge plate and before I push the pin tight, I give a little tug to make sure the ball is against the plate. I doubt your having a tuner problem.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

also it helps to lube the nut slots with graphite.

And to not have too deep a nut slot. Deep slots will increase the chance of a string binding.

Good point Paul. Best nut slots are just less than half the string diameter deep or at least over-sizes until less than half the string diameter. Like a pipe rack. You want the slot to maintain the strings position but not engulf it. Another issue I have see is if the slot is cut a bit deep and perpendicular to the face of the nut and the string enters the slot from the tuner side at an angle, in a manner that cause the string to bind against one side of the slot.MichaelP39003.519525463

Mark, I think it's important to clarifiy whether your guitar will not stay in
tune or will not play in tune. Will it sound fine for a short while, then go
sour even when playing the same chords or patterns as before? Or does it
seem impossible to ever get it in tune to begin with, whether this be up
the entire fret board or just in a particular area?

Whether a guitar won't "stay" in tune or won't ever "play" in tune are two
entirely seperate and unrelated issues with different causes and remedies.
The former usually being mechanical (tuners, slots, etc.), and the
latter involving the many aspects of intonation.

It does sound likely that your strings are binding up in the slots as
mentioned above, and you may have intonation issues as well. These two
problems can sometimes be difficult to isolate when they occur together,
but it's important when problem solving to try to treat them seperately.David Collins39003.4246990741

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Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.