elambo,
If a string is bent, wouldn't it pull more string from the area above the nut? This should result in more string length between the nut and the saddle and then if it binds in the nut, the string will be looser and flat? Maybe my logic is flawed - it's happened before.

Your logic makes complete sense. But it depends on "when" the nut grabs the string - during playing or tuning.

If you tune the guitar at a time when the nut is grabbing the string - something that could happen often if the nut is too tight - a bend could release that grasp and allow the string to pass further past the nut when the bend is released and the string will go sharp. This doesn't seem so likely with wound strings, but I have one guitar where this problem happens often with unwound strings.

Glad you mentioned it though because it seems more likely that it would happen during playing which, as you said, would result in a string that goes flat.

I am disappointed with the Sperzel tuners I had on my I-35 and those I have on my current CL Dlx. It feels like the "tuner shaft to plastic grip" bond is loose: the grips on several tuners have play. The I-35 was about 5 months old when I had it, and the CL Dlx is less than a year old, IOW, manufacturing defect by Sperzel. The I-35 had, and the CL Dlx has, much more tuning drift than my LP or even my Strat with "tremolo"... as long as I don't use the Strat's tremolo bar.

just a follow-up: collings did respond to my second email about this problem. so they are certainly concerned about issues customers have or think they have. i even got a call--which i'm not too sure how they got my number, but anyway nice of them to care. i was thinking of selling the guitar as i just want a guitar that plays well and stays in-tune. this one is so great looking though. what is still surprising to me is how cheap tuners on a fender can hold so well and these expensive looking ones don't appear to hold as well. i probably just got the bad luck of getting the only tuners with problems out of 100's of them.

I knew they'd take care of you. How many other companies would track YOU down with a phone call?

But your story lacks something very important... What resolution did they propose to fix the problem?

truth is, i told them not to waste their time with me as i am sorting out if i wish to keep the guitar--but whoever i sell it to, certainly will be alerted to the issue. like you and others have noted, it probably is simply the nut binding which maybe can be fixed with graphite--or it could be a bum tuner which can be swapped out. a person name steve m. called, so i guess it wasn't angela in service. yes, collings is a first rate company and clearly miles ahead of other builders. i probably will end up with another one real soon. just will bang on it a bit more before taking it home. thanks for asking.

I honestly wanted to know what they recommended as the fix. What were they willing to do? I'm sorry, but if the only problem is the tuning stability, and they're willing to fix it, what issue remains? Like Maunakea, I also had to replace a Sperzel tuner that was loose. It happens.

I don't think I understand the entire situation, but I know that it would be best if you let the next person have that guitar and you get your money back so you can find something that you better connect with. If I didn't already have an I-35, I'd very gladly buy it.

steve m left me a nice email (after his call) and i took his advice--took all of about 2 mins to fix by my tech. just grabbing a bit at the nut. it stays nicely in tune now, but i am selling it due to a tax bill--i had it up here last night and today but moved it to ebay early this afternoon. such is life. someday i will circle back as there really isn't a better guitar built. thanks for all yr answers. and yes, i made a donation to the site since i used the buy sell.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: localplayer,

only had mine for 2 days now, but I can bend the heck out of those strings and it stays in tune well. Wow, what a great guitar.

Most tuning problems are a result of improper stringing technique, followed by an improperly cut nut. There really aren't too many other reasons why a guitar won't keep pitch.