Can you fix a guitar that doesn't play in tune?
- Thread starter spuds
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scottish
WeirdScienceologist
Re: Can you fix a guitar that doesn't play in tune?
without having my hands on it i cant be 100% sure. but it sounds like the bridge may need to be taken out, filled and then re-drilled. depending on the value of the guitar, this may make it condemned.
Only real way to find out it to take it to a pro. You need to find some1 who really knows their stuff though, the local dude at guitar center will not cut it for something like this.
Good luck
without having my hands on it i cant be 100% sure. but it sounds like the bridge may need to be taken out, filled and then re-drilled. depending on the value of the guitar, this may make it condemned.
Only real way to find out it to take it to a pro. You need to find some1 who really knows their stuff though, the local dude at guitar center will not cut it for something like this.
Good luck
sosomething
Seymour Duncan Customer Support
Re: Can you fix a guitar that doesn't play in tune?
Yes and no.
It totally depends on what's wrong with the guitar.
Usually it's just a string sticking somewhere. Or it's a loose or slipping tuner. Or it's a faulty bridge saddle.
But sometimes... every once in a while... it's the guitar itself. The scale could be off, meaning the frets aren't in the right spots on the fretboard, or the neck could just be unstable due to softer wood, warpage, a bad neck joint, a faulty trussrod... these things aren't as likely in this day and age - even cheapo guitars are pretty stable anymore - but it's always a possibility.
Yes and no.
It totally depends on what's wrong with the guitar.
Usually it's just a string sticking somewhere. Or it's a loose or slipping tuner. Or it's a faulty bridge saddle.
But sometimes... every once in a while... it's the guitar itself. The scale could be off, meaning the frets aren't in the right spots on the fretboard, or the neck could just be unstable due to softer wood, warpage, a bad neck joint, a faulty trussrod... these things aren't as likely in this day and age - even cheapo guitars are pretty stable anymore - but it's always a possibility.
sosomething
Seymour Duncan Customer Support
Re: Can you fix a guitar that doesn't play in tune?
+1 to uOpt - we might be able to diagnose your problem visually and save you some money.
+1 to uOpt - we might be able to diagnose your problem visually and save you some money.
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Can you fix a guitar that doesn't play in tune?
No, there's a ton of other reasons, foremost improper fixing of the strings on the tuner, loose bridges and the like.
We need photos.
No, there's a ton of other reasons, foremost improper fixing of the strings on the tuner, loose bridges and the like.
We need photos.
scottish
WeirdScienceologist
Re: Can you fix a guitar that doesn't play in tune?
when you say doesnt play in tune...do you mean that open, all the strings read correctly on your tuner. Fretted at the 12th they all individually read correctly on your tuner, but when you play, lets say a barre E cord at the 7th, then it sounds out of tune?
when you say doesnt play in tune...do you mean that open, all the strings read correctly on your tuner. Fretted at the 12th they all individually read correctly on your tuner, but when you play, lets say a barre E cord at the 7th, then it sounds out of tune?
claydots
New member
Re: Can you fix a guitar that doesn't play in tune?
Photo's would really help.
I once bought a Danelectro for 25 bucks because the guy said it just wouldn't stay in tune and it sounded funny.
All that was wrong with it were the strings were wound backwards on the tuners. Never did have the heart to tell the guy it was that simple. The strings were new so I just rewound his strings....
I have found that G is usually the culprit when it sounds out of tune. It could be anything that has been mentioned already. Is it sharp or flat out of tune?
Photo's would really help.
I once bought a Danelectro for 25 bucks because the guy said it just wouldn't stay in tune and it sounded funny.
All that was wrong with it were the strings were wound backwards on the tuners. Never did have the heart to tell the guy it was that simple. The strings were new so I just rewound his strings....
I have found that G is usually the culprit when it sounds out of tune. It could be anything that has been mentioned already. Is it sharp or flat out of tune?
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thespricket
New member
Re: Can you fix a guitar that doesn't play in tune?
thats an awesome story!!! i would love to fall into that kind of luck.
what kind of guitar is it? if it's a really cheap guitar then it may not be worth fixing. maybe a string change? i'd hold off on going to a pro.
thats an awesome story!!! i would love to fall into that kind of luck.
what kind of guitar is it? if it's a really cheap guitar then it may not be worth fixing. maybe a string change? i'd hold off on going to a pro.
Re: Can you fix a guitar that doesn't play in tune?
I'll post some photos up on the weekend... thanks guys.
Its a cheap ES335 copy, but it actually plays and sounds really good... but I think its really old and I think time has taken its toll.
What I mean is.... say the low E string... its in tune when its open, and its spot on "E" at the 12th fret... but at the 5th fret, its quite noticeably sharper than an "A". I'm afraid that this just means that the frets have been placed incorrectly...?
I'll post some photos up on the weekend... thanks guys.
Its a cheap ES335 copy, but it actually plays and sounds really good... but I think its really old and I think time has taken its toll.
What I mean is.... say the low E string... its in tune when its open, and its spot on "E" at the 12th fret... but at the 5th fret, its quite noticeably sharper than an "A". I'm afraid that this just means that the frets have been placed incorrectly...?
scottish
WeirdScienceologist
Re: Can you fix a guitar that doesn't play in tune?
ok, i dont have time to go run and look at one of my guitars real quick but...if im picturing it correctly in my head then your bridge is on backwards.
some1 else will either jump in and confirm or tell me im a crackhead, lol
i hope it could be something as simple as that to fix it up for you
ok, i dont have time to go run and look at one of my guitars real quick but...if im picturing it correctly in my head then your bridge is on backwards.
some1 else will either jump in and confirm or tell me im a crackhead, lol
i hope it could be something as simple as that to fix it up for you
timccart
New member
Re: Can you fix a guitar that doesn't play in tune?
I vote that the nut is not quite right. Or maybe the tuners. If it happens more so on the lower frets, less than about 7, I'll vote the nut.
Does a normal, second fret D chord sound out of tune?
Screws on bridge sould be facing away from headstock.
I vote that the nut is not quite right. Or maybe the tuners. If it happens more so on the lower frets, less than about 7, I'll vote the nut.
Does a normal, second fret D chord sound out of tune?
Screws on bridge sould be facing away from headstock.
thespricket
New member
Re: Can you fix a guitar that doesn't play in tune?
those strings dont look very clean, that could be the problem. But i may not being seeing the picture well.
those strings dont look very clean, that could be the problem. But i may not being seeing the picture well.
Re: Can you fix a guitar that doesn't play in tune?
I'm having similar problems with my LP Standard. While the intonation is about as perfect as I can get the guitar never sounds quite in tune. It STAYS in tune fine, but doesn't sound IN tune. However, if I tune the guitar to the 7th fret harmonics it sounds perfectley in tune. It's not quite in tune to A440, but it still sounds in tune.
I was told since it sounds in tune to the 7th fret harmonic that I might need to have the current nut taken out and have a compensated nut put in place. At this rate I think I just may try it.
I'm having similar problems with my LP Standard. While the intonation is about as perfect as I can get the guitar never sounds quite in tune. It STAYS in tune fine, but doesn't sound IN tune. However, if I tune the guitar to the 7th fret harmonics it sounds perfectley in tune. It's not quite in tune to A440, but it still sounds in tune.
I was told since it sounds in tune to the 7th fret harmonic that I might need to have the current nut taken out and have a compensated nut put in place. At this rate I think I just may try it.
timccart
New member
Re: Can you fix a guitar that doesn't play in tune?
Could be string height, combo of bridge and nut issues, also. Sounds like you need a complete setup.
If you know how to do a setup, do it. Here are a few websites for you, if you are unfamiliar. Hell, at least try...
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-us&q=guitar+setup&btnG=Search
http://www.gibson.com/magazines/amplifier/1997/10/tipfile.html
http://www.guitarnotes.com/notes/noteget.cgi?basic_guitar_setup
http://users.powernet.co.uk/guitars/setuptut.htm
I feel that a guitar owner/player should know how to do a setup for themselves. If you are not comfortable with doing your own setup, take it to a pro. A good pro will do a better setup than you will do on you first try. But once you learn how to, and do several, you will better than 90% of the so-called pros at most music stores(no offense to any guitar techs, but everyone understands what I'm saying), on your own guitars. Try it.
Could be string height, combo of bridge and nut issues, also. Sounds like you need a complete setup.
If you know how to do a setup, do it. Here are a few websites for you, if you are unfamiliar. Hell, at least try...
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-us&q=guitar+setup&btnG=Search
http://www.gibson.com/magazines/amplifier/1997/10/tipfile.html
http://www.guitarnotes.com/notes/noteget.cgi?basic_guitar_setup
http://users.powernet.co.uk/guitars/setuptut.htm
I feel that a guitar owner/player should know how to do a setup for themselves. If you are not comfortable with doing your own setup, take it to a pro. A good pro will do a better setup than you will do on you first try. But once you learn how to, and do several, you will better than 90% of the so-called pros at most music stores(no offense to any guitar techs, but everyone understands what I'm saying), on your own guitars. Try it.
