Guitar Tuning Problems

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Diagnosing Guitar Tuning Problems

Even though you correctly use your guitar tuner and have tuned your guitar perfectly, you still find ,at the end of the tuning, that your guitar is still out of tune!

String Winding - Step one is to insure you are properly stringing your instrument. String slack around the tuners post is the number one cause of the main guitar tuning problems.

Nut slots - When the slots in the nut are too small for the string gauge you are using the string can easily bind and catch in the slot. It is typical in this situation for the instrument to go sharp once the string has managed to pull thru the slot where it was once bound. ..This could be one of the guitar tuning problems.....When tuning, do you hear a repetitive creaking sound? The nut slot may need to be cut larger to avoid squeezing the string..a simple an inexpensive procedure

Bridge Pins -When installing strings on an acoustic guitar it is important that the ball end be firmly seated against the bridge pin and bridge plate. If it isn't, the string may eventually pull upward, seat itself against the bridge pin and cause the tuning to go flat from the loss of tension......one of the guitar tuning problems again! When stringing your acoustic guitar place the ball end of the string at the base of the bridge pin, push the bridge pin into the bridge and give a light upward tug when the pin is seated to insure there is no slack.

New Strings - Are they brand new strings or worse...nylon strings? New strings must have the opportunity to stretch. A fresh set of strings will probably require several tunings during their first day of play before they settle in and nylon strings are by far the worst.

Tuning Technique -When your tuning is too sharp and you tune down, you should tune below the note and bring the note back up to pitch. By doing so you can take up any slack that may be present in the tuners gears.

Tremolo - Does your electric guitar have a tremolo? Every time you use a tremolo it must return to the absolute same position it started from to maintain perfect tuning. Heavy tremolo use stretches the string itself and will eventually cause a loss of tuning.

Bad Tuners - Old tuners wear out and can develop a fair amount of slop, which makes tuning very difficult. On some you can turn the tuning knob quite a distance before hearing any change in pitch, that's because of the wear and slop in the gearing. And it's frustrating, you're almost there, almost there, then oops, just gone over, ugh!

Cheap tuners can do the same thing. Quality tuners will have better gear ratios, turn smoothly with a fluid-like feel and their gears are precisely matched to eliminate slop and play. Schaller® and Waverly® are far and away two of the best brands. If replacing vintage tuners I would advise seeking a retrofitting tuner if possible. More serious problems There are other problems that can cause tuning problems as well. Loose necks (they shift around once tension is applied), a loose and rising bridge, sloppy saddles, a rubber neck and other structural problems.

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