Thunderbird going out of tune frequently

[Samashton12]

Hi guys,

Recently my Thunderbird has started going out of tune rather frequently, every few songs or so. Not massively, just slightly flat.

I had it set up & new strings put on it in August, so is it new string time or something more serious like new tuners? If it's the latter, i'm looking at Hipshot Ultralites.

Thanks,
Sam

[GregBass]

I would try stretching the strings.

[Billy Apple]

Because it's a laminate neck-thru it should be very stable. I had a Gibson TBird and it was rock solid even though the neck was very slim. I had a Hipshot Supertone on, so that might have helped, and the Grovers seemed very good.

The only thing I can think of is the threaded ferrules that the bridge bolts screw into might be lifting slightly and may need re-seating.

[NancyJohnson]

The Grovers are generally pretty stable and frankly I wouldn't bother with changing them out for Hipshots; I tuned up last night and rehearsed for nearly three hours and my TB stayed in tune the whole evening. Once in a while (irrespective of the age of the bass), it's worth removing the strings from the heads and tightening up the nuts (and screws) that anchor the machine heads to the headstock. Periodic maintenance...they do go slack on all my TBs (but weirdly, none of my other basses).

If loose, the machine head is pretty much free to rotate a few degrees within the it's hole in the headstock...it'll only take a couple of degrees of rotation and the string tension will pull the string flat. Give it a go. Hope this helps.
P

[Thunderbird]

I would be tempted to try new strings the may have worn at the ends and slip on the tuning pegs is the cheapest solution to try 1st and the strings could probably do with changing after about 6 months anyway

[NancyJohnson]

...sorry, I'm assuming from your signature it's an Epiphone. What's the tuners on it? Website still says 'black die cast 17:1 ratio'.

P