Stupid Tuning Question
- Thread starter alnikman
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Edgecrusher
Well-known member
Re: Stupid Tuning Question
Do you mean like tune to A440? You can tune to other things I used to tune to A432 just for giggles.
The idea though is if you tune to a pitch and the other people in your band tune to a pitch you will all be in tune together.
Also keep in mind there are many different tunings for guitar just only a few that are commonly used.
Do you mean like tune to A440? You can tune to other things I used to tune to A432 just for giggles.
The idea though is if you tune to a pitch and the other people in your band tune to a pitch you will all be in tune together.
Also keep in mind there are many different tunings for guitar just only a few that are commonly used.
Re: Stupid Tuning Question
I should have been more clear in my original question. I did not mean tuning the instrument in general, but literally tuning an individual string up to the correct pitch. For example, if the string is sharp, I have read and have been told that you need to tune down past the correct pitch and then back up to said pitch.
I should have been more clear in my original question. I did not mean tuning the instrument in general, but literally tuning an individual string up to the correct pitch. For example, if the string is sharp, I have read and have been told that you need to tune down past the correct pitch and then back up to said pitch.
Edgecrusher
Well-known member
Re: Stupid Tuning Question
You tune by tightening the string to make sure that its taut. If you loosen the string there is a chance for it to bind at the nut or behind it then as soon as you play the string slips from the bind and is out of tune.
You tune by tightening the string to make sure that its taut. If you loosen the string there is a chance for it to bind at the nut or behind it then as soon as you play the string slips from the bind and is out of tune.
guitfiddle
firstlessonologist
Re: Stupid Tuning Question
If you tune down, then the gears have a bit of room to move backward until they are tight, and it can go flat as you play. Tuning up to pitch makes them tight against one another, and they stay put.
If you tune down, then the gears have a bit of room to move backward until they are tight, and it can go flat as you play. Tuning up to pitch makes them tight against one another, and they stay put.
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Agileguy_101
Master of his Domain
Re: Stupid Tuning Question
+1
I've never had this problem, as I buy quality. I mean, maybe I did with my first guitar, but I was 14. More often than not I didn't know if it was even in tune at all!
+1
I've never had this problem, as I buy quality. I mean, maybe I did with my first guitar, but I was 14. More often than not I didn't know if it was even in tune at all!
eschoendorff
New member
Re: Stupid Tuning Question
For the same reason that tympanists tune up... even with a great and well made/maintained gear, there is always a chance that something could bind/slip/stretch/etc.
Tuning up to a pitch takes a lot of potential problems out of the equation. It's a good practice to have especially when using unfamiliar gear.
If your gear is able to be tuned down to pitch as well, more power to you. Just, whatever happens, don't be caught out of tune!
For the same reason that tympanists tune up... even with a great and well made/maintained gear, there is always a chance that something could bind/slip/stretch/etc.
Tuning up to a pitch takes a lot of potential problems out of the equation. It's a good practice to have especially when using unfamiliar gear.
If your gear is able to be tuned down to pitch as well, more power to you. Just, whatever happens, don't be caught out of tune!
Re: Stupid Tuning Question
If they made tuners so precice that you could tune down to pitch and not go flat after playing, you wouldn't be able to afford them. Even good quality tuners have some "play" in the gears and bearings. If there wasn't any "play", the friction would be so great that you wouldn't be able to turn them.
That play and friction can be reduced significantly in the engineering, but they would end up being unaffordable.
If they made tuners so precice that you could tune down to pitch and not go flat after playing, you wouldn't be able to afford them. Even good quality tuners have some "play" in the gears and bearings. If there wasn't any "play", the friction would be so great that you wouldn't be able to turn them.
That play and friction can be reduced significantly in the engineering, but they would end up being unaffordable.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Stupid Tuning Question
I have a couple guitars where I need to tune up to maintain pitch, mostly due to a little binding in the nut that I need to address and the tuners could be better. Yes, there is some slack in even the best tuners, I get that, but a well set up guitar with zero binding issues should maintain tune without having to tune down then back up. Most of the time, we may do it out of habit when it's not necessary.
I have a couple guitars where I need to tune up to maintain pitch, mostly due to a little binding in the nut that I need to address and the tuners could be better. Yes, there is some slack in even the best tuners, I get that, but a well set up guitar with zero binding issues should maintain tune without having to tune down then back up. Most of the time, we may do it out of habit when it's not necessary.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Stupid Tuning Question
Anyone know anything about these?
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners/Steinberger_Gearless_Tuners.html
Gearless, 40:1 ratio. Are they good? Easy to tune? Stay in tune? Precice? Worth the $100?
Anyone know anything about these?
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners/Steinberger_Gearless_Tuners.html
Gearless, 40:1 ratio. Are they good? Easy to tune? Stay in tune? Precice? Worth the $100?
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Stupid Tuning Question
Because if the nut is holding on to the string even a little bit then the strong pull from the tuner side is going to help (as opposed to the weaker pull from the long end).
If you have a perfect nut it isn't necessary.
Because if the nut is holding on to the string even a little bit then the strong pull from the tuner side is going to help (as opposed to the weaker pull from the long end).
If you have a perfect nut it isn't necessary.
Powdered Toast Man
New member
Re: Stupid Tuning Question
I think it has to do with a habit most guitarists got into long ago. Back when the original Kluson tuners were the only thing out there, they were actually not very good. There was a lot of slop in the gear so you had to tune "up" to pitch to work around it. As tuners have improved over the years, this isn't really necessary anymore, but the habit has become something that was passed on over generations of guitar players.
I think it has to do with a habit most guitarists got into long ago. Back when the original Kluson tuners were the only thing out there, they were actually not very good. There was a lot of slop in the gear so you had to tune "up" to pitch to work around it. As tuners have improved over the years, this isn't really necessary anymore, but the habit has become something that was passed on over generations of guitar players.
