Guitar Tuning Problems

Guitar Will Not Stay In Tune

One common tuning complaint is having to repeatedly tune an instrument. It can be tuned and it will play in tune up and down the neck but it requires frequent re-tuning.

If any instrument will not stay in tune it all boils down to couple of possible factors:

String Stretch

• New strings require stretching and take time to settle in
• Note bending stretches strings

String Slippage

When string tension is lost thru string slippage, re-tuning is required. Slippage can occur for reasons such as:

• Ball end needs to seat against bridge plate
• String binding in the nut or saddle slot
• Strings poorly wound around tuning post
• Poorly tied to tie block (classical guitars)
• Badly worn tuning machines

When re-tuning is frequently necessary, most of the time, the string is slipping at the tuning machine.

What If My Guitar Will Not Play In Tune?

After tuning your instrument you find that certain fretted notes sound out of tune or chords do not sound in tune with themselves.

Intonation correction is often necessary to remedy this issue.

Using Electronic Tuners

When one is first learning to play, tuning an instrument properly can be quite the task. For that reason most of us start out using instrument tuners until we develop an ear for tuning.