Do I need a heavier spring?

dmtelecat · December 11th, 2006, 01:24 AM

I have a 2006 b-bender and cannot keep the b string in tune. I've all but quit playing it at my gigs because of this. My plans so far are to replace the tuners with sperzel locking tuners and to find a graphite saddle for my b string. I really feel that I need a heavier spring than the one that came with the guitar, because the string seems to go sharp just from the weight of the guitar on the strap. Does anyone have an idea where I can get a different spring, or any other ideas that may help?
Thanks.

Don Miller · December 11th, 2006, 04:14 AM

Couple of things...a little lube on the nut and saddle...alot of tuning issues occur when the string sticks and doesnt fully return to where it should. Try that before the locking tuners and graphite saddle

you might try a heavier spring..or cut a couple of loops off the one you have.....it does take some tools to cut and bend it tho..

Lowes or Home Depot have springs of various sizes...I got one at Lowes thats now in my Parsons White style bender.

Try a heavier B string..I think Gene Parsons recommends a .013

There is a very complete maintenance guide at www.stringbender.com

J. Hayes · December 11th, 2006, 11:24 AM

I was having the same problem so I took the spring out of my guitar so I'd have something to compare it with and went to the local hardware store. That way you can just pull on your spring to feel the tension and try one of theirs until you find one that's stiffer. I replaced mine with one that was the same length but a little bigger in diameter. I'd recommend buying a spring puller also. They look like a screwdrive with a notch on the side of the thing where you can either push or pull a spring with it. Also, as far as the 2nd string, Parsons does recommend a .013 but hardly anyone uses them, most go for the standard .011. I like to do some occasional behind the nut bends on the 2nd string and a .013's too heavy for that!..........JH in Va.

dmtelecat · December 11th, 2006, 07:30 PM

Thanks alot!

Don Miller · December 11th, 2006, 09:28 PM

Let us know how it works out...I use a .013..its the stock B string with the D'Addarios I regularly use..and going from a .011 or .012 I found a big improvement in my tuning with the .013

BrianF · December 12th, 2006, 11:17 AM

If you know what you're looking for you can likely find it at www.mcmaster.com (McMaster-Carr). Look at the Extension Spring section....

December 11th, 2006, 01:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
dmtelecat NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Carlisle, Iowa Posts: 5	Do I need a heavier spring? I have a 2006 b-bender and cannot keep the b string in tune. I've all but quit playing it at my gigs because of this. My plans so far are to replace the tuners with sperzel locking tuners and to find a graphite saddle for my b string. I really feel that I need a heavier spring than the one that came with the guitar, because the string seems to go sharp just from the weight of the guitar on the strap. Does anyone have an idea where I can get a different spring, or any other ideas that may help? Thanks.

December 11th, 2006, 11:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
J. Hayes Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2005 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. Posts: 974	What Don said!........... I was having the same problem so I took the spring out of my guitar so I'd have something to compare it with and went to the local hardware store. That way you can just pull on your spring to feel the tension and try one of theirs until you find one that's stiffer. I replaced mine with one that was the same length but a little bigger in diameter. I'd recommend buying a spring puller also. They look like a screwdrive with a notch on the side of the thing where you can either push or pull a spring with it. Also, as far as the 2nd string, Parsons does recommend a .013 but hardly anyone uses them, most go for the standard .011. I like to do some occasional behind the nut bends on the 2nd string and a .013's too heavy for that!..........JH in Va. __________________ Ralph Mooney rules!!

December 11th, 2006, 04:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
Don Miller Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Age: 57 Posts: 593 14 Photos	Couple of things...a little lube on the nut and saddle...alot of tuning issues occur when the string sticks and doesnt fully return to where it should. Try that before the locking tuners and graphite saddle you might try a heavier spring..or cut a couple of loops off the one you have.....it does take some tools to cut and bend it tho.. Lowes or Home Depot have springs of various sizes...I got one at Lowes thats now in my Parsons White style bender. Try a heavier B string..I think Gene Parsons recommends a .013 There is a very complete maintenance guide at www.stringbender.com

December 11th, 2006, 07:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
dmtelecat NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Carlisle, Iowa Posts: 5	Thanks alot!

December 11th, 2006, 09:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
Don Miller Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Age: 57 Posts: 593 14 Photos	Let us know how it works out...I use a .013..its the stock B string with the D'Addarios I regularly use..and going from a .011 or .012 I found a big improvement in my tuning with the .013

December 12th, 2006, 11:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
BrianF Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Carlsbad, Ca Posts: 2,155 7 Photos	If you know what you're looking for you can likely find it at www.mcmaster.com (McMaster-Carr). Look at the Extension Spring section....