Tuning Troubles

[Sledgehammer]

I've got a good ear and usually tune by octaves. i.e. low E to D string, 2nd fret, Low G to G string. etc. I've got an in-expensive electric that that doesn't work to well on. It's almost impossible to get three strings in tune together. If I tune to the 5th fret, the octaves are out, Tune with octaves and the adjacent strings are out. Is this a factor of cheap factory strings or is this the guitar?

[kwakatak]

Your intonation may be off. If you're adept at tuning by ear, then compare the pitch of the 12th fret natural harmonic against the fretted 12th fret on the same string. They should be the same note. If not, then you have to adjust the length of each string at the saddle.

[fastvfr]

Man, I always change strings on any new guitar--you never know how old they are or how many people have played them.

 

My Strat copy would not let me set its intonation properly until I put some Elixir Nano 10's on it, then it tuned up like a dream.

 

When the factory strings came off, they were all kinked and roughed up.

 

So, yeah, I'd start there.

[Queequeg]

you got some good advice from Kwak there. after you have gone through the exercise of correcting (or eliminating) the guitar as the source of the problem, spend $30 or so on a digital tuner. this will help to train your ear.

[Sledgehammer]

Like I said, I've got a good ear. Maybe too good as it drives me nuts when somethings out of tune. I've run across this before where I couldn't get the guitar tuned "across the board". In other words, string 1 to 3-good, 2 to 3-good, 1 to 2-not good. I just wondered if it was the strings or the guitar.

[Queequeg]

Originally posted by Sledgehammer Like I said, I've got a good ear. Maybe too good as it drives me nuts when somethings out of tune. I've run across this before where I couldn't get the guitar tuned "across the board". In other words, string 1 to 3-good, 2 to 3-good, 1 to 2-not good. I just wondered if it was the strings or the guitar.

Since you change strings regularly anyway, and since they're relatively cheap, change 'em already.

but wait- there's more...

We all (self included) flatter ourselves with our "good ears".

We're all the 'wine tasters' of the guitar set. (if you think I'm making this up, read any of the descriptions of guitars or even of specific woods in this forum. You'll find words like, "full", "rich", "well-balanced", "harsh", "soft", "flat", "dry", "crisp", "thin", "weak", "light", "silky", "smoky", "aged", "open", "lively"; well- you get my drift...) thus, some non-guitarists could think we're stuffy and full of ourselves when these descriptors are called in to play, and even some guitar players have been known to think this as well, as the evidence is occasionally overwhelming.

Here's what I don't understand from a physics standpoint: if, as you say, "string 1 to 3-good, 2 to 3-good, 1 to 2-not good", how you then blame it on the string.

So, since our self-congratulatory high praise isn't routinely subjected to scrutiny, get a digital tuner, and tune to that dial and then make your assessment. Please report back, and good luck!

and, as you know, you can never perfectly tune a guitar. by nature, its nigh impossible. Most of our very good ears don't mind this too much, though.

 

[Tony Burns]

either the strings are shot , tuners are junk, adjustable bridge is moving on you when you tune or you need a new guitar ( well this could be the opportunity to ask Santa for a new guitar for Christmas )

[Freeman Keller]

Could just be the nature of equal temperment instruments like guitars combined with your good ears

 

http://www.in2guitar.com/tuning.html

 

http://www.doolinguitars.com/intonation/intonation1.html

[STEELSTRINGS]

Replace your strings and set the intonation. I found instructions on setting intonation for my telecaster at the Fender website.

[guitapick]

Might just be the strings. I don't know how often you change them or how much you play to put wear on them.

 

Just before I bought my Martin from my friend, I brought it to my repair guy. He showed me how the intonation was slightly off by hitting the harmonics on the 12th fret and then comparing that tone with the same note on that fret/string, pressed down to the neck. There was definitely a difference...so he adjusted the bridge by moving it slightly further away from the neck and that did the trick. He said it's really common to have slight problems like that. Wasn't an expensive job and I'm glad he did it.

[kwakatak]

 

Originally posted by STEELSTRINGS Replace your strings and set the intonation. I found instructions on setting intonation for my telecaster at the Fender website.

 

 

Exactly he point I was trying to make plus the string factor which I neglected. If you changed strings to something with a slightly different size then the width of the nut grooves come into play.

 

Go with a fatter string and it will become wedged in the slot. If you only go up a little bit then the string will hold tune a little better because it's not able to slip. It kind of sounds like going with a coated string like fastvfr did was sort of like getting a slightly wider string. OTOH, if you go up a whole lot then the string is going to bind and maybe even break.

 

OTOH, if you go with a lighter string (or even lube the slots with liquid graphite) you'll find that the string will slip out of tune even easier. It all depends on the break angle of the string at the nut though. My Strat has 0