Tuner Problem

[mandosteve]

One the tuners on one of my mandos may be faulty. When tuning this particular string the pitch won't change right away as I turn the tuner. Then, while still turning the tuner, it jumps in pitch all of sudden, often times too far to be in tune. Does anyone know why? All of the other tuners work properly.

[Igor The Cat]

i think its your nut thats causing the problem! to solve this take a sharp pencil or powered graphite and put some in the offendings strings nut slot. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[ShaneJ]

It could be that the string is hanging up in the nut slot. Maybe the slot is too narrow, causing the string to bind. What string is it? Wound or plain steel? The wound strings seem to bind easier than the "slick" ones.

If that is the problem, you can widen the slot (not deepen), and you might rub a pencil lead in the empty slot before stringing it back up to add a little dry lubrication.

This assumes that the tuner works smoothly when unstrung. If the tuner gear has a burr or other imperfection, then it might need to be filed smooth or replaced altogether.

Good luck!

[mandosteve]

Thanks guys,
This makes so much sense, which is why I couldn't figure it out by myself.