Solve Guitar Tuning Problems
Trouble Shooter

Do you struggle with guitar tuning problems? I know how frustrating it gets, because I've owned several guitars with tuning problems.

Did you buy a new guitar at an auction site for a couple bucks and pay ten times as much for delivery as you did for the guitar? These are usually described as "black acoustic guitar", "red acoustic guitar", "beginner electric guitar package", "pink girls guitar" or something along that line? Cheap guitars have a lot of guitar tuning problems.

If so keep trying using the method here: How to Tune a Guitar. Sometimes it just takes a bit of practice. This section is for people that are sure something is wrong.

A common cause of guitar tuning problems is the Guitar's Action. The strings should be fairly close to the top of the frets all the way along the neck (but not close enough to cause buzzing). If the strings are too high above the frets, when you press the string down you will stretch it farther, causing the pitch to rise. Take your guitar to a repairman(most music stores have a repairman), and have them take a look at it.

There can be many reasons that your action is too high and the repairman will tell you what the problem is. If it is just a rod adjustment it shouldn't cost too much, and the repairman can show you how to do it yourself next time.

You may have put the strings into the hole too deeply so that the ball at the end of the strings didn't lock under the bridge properly. The balls should be seated firmly by pushing the ball end toward the front of your guitar before the pin is pushed in. If you can't seat the ball, or the winding on the string rides on your saddle, your guitar's bridge reinforcing plate may be worn, or the holes are too big. A repairman will tell you if it's in need of repair.

ALWAYS TUNE UP TO THE NOTE! If your string is higher in pitch than the note you want don't tune down. Instead, tune lower than the note you want, then, tune up to the note. Sometimes strings pinch a bit in the nut groove, and when the string is plucked it will slip looser and drop in pitch.

Other causes may be: the tuning peg is weak(not likely), the string isn't wound properly on the post; the string may be pinching in the nut groove, or the string is getting weak and should be replaced.

The new strings haven't settled in yet. Tug on the strings firmly, but, not like superman. Now re-tune, tug again, and re-tune again. This should solve your guitar tuning problem. If not, the strings may be installed wrong. Try tightening the string while watching it closely at the post, (the part you wound the string onto). Can you see the string slip? If it does you will need to replace it with a new string.

Is the string slipping at the bottom in the bridge? If so; loosen the string, then, loosen but do not remove the pin. Then tug lightly on the string while pushing the pin back into the hole.

Your guitar is tuned perfectly, but not when you play it?

How's your action? If it's O.K., and you have an adjustable saddle the problem is intonation. Checking this is a bit technical, and you will need a chromatic tuner.

You can download a Free Chromatic Guitar Tuner here.

Start by tuning your low E string. After it is tuned exactly, play the E string at the 12th fret. The needle of the tuner should be the same as when the string is played open.

Do this with each string, it only takes one string to mess up the sound. If they aren't exact, take your guitar to a repairman for a setup, or adjust the little screw located in the saddle for that string. It could be a set screw or a plain screw, either at the front or back of the saddle, depending on your guitar. Adjust the saddle forward to lower the note, or backward to raise it. Repeat these steps until all the strings tune properly played open AND at the 12th fret.

If your guitar has a whammy bar, and every time you tune it the lower strings drop in pitch, the bars' springs are not strong enough or you don't have enough of them. You can access the strings behind the plate at the back of the guitar. You should have 4 or 5 springs attached. If you need more you can buy the springs at most music stores.

If you have one of these and the strings need to get re-tuned every time that you use the whammy bar there may be a pinching problem in the nut grooves, your guitar may be missing the hold down clips, or your tuning pegs may be worn and slipping.

Try playing without using the whammy bar ... if your a beginner it will just keep you unfocused any way. If the guitar stays in tune now don't use the whammy bar until you have someone look at it.

I hope that this information helped solve your guitar tuning problems! If it doesn't take it to someone and have it checked out, or ... A note to do it yourselfers: You're guitar will need to be setup, adjusted, and of course restrung during it's life. Learn and Master has a 3 DVD course taught by one of the best setup and repairmen in the business. Check it out, it's less than the price of one setup:

• Learn and Master Spotlight Series: Guitar Set-Up

• Guitar Tuning Main Page

• Beginner Guitar Buying Guide ... How To

• Guitar Lesson Reviews

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