Correct Tuning Methodology For An Electric Guitar

[david henman]

...seems pretty basic, but i'm curious about what other players have learned and experienced.

i use a stretch and tune method - stretch and tune over and over until everything seems to be stable. with my whammy equipped guitars, i stretch the strings with my fingers and aggressively work the whammy bar, then tune each string, back and forth until the tuning appears to be stable.

however, i rarely see other guitarists go to such lengths to tune up.

which makes me wonder if i am going to extremes, or if there are "tricks of the trade" of which i am unaware.

-dh

[Tarl]

Even though I always use hardtail guitars I follow the same routine, Stretch and tune until it is stable. Over the years I have gotten very agressive with the stretching so it does't take too long now.

[nine]

Stretch and tune here as well. Just a few minutes of bending the string pretty hard at the 12th fret result in a lot less retuning over the next couple of days.

[Jeff Flowerday]

Stretch and tune as well.

[nine]

What really drives me crazy is people that don't stretch their strings, claiming that they never need to. Inevitably they break a string, replace it and then their guitar is out of tune 1/4 of the way through the next song. Argh. Just stretch the damn thing! Haha.

[Robboman]

1). Restring the guitar, tune roughly to pitch
2). Fret the string somewhere around the middle (12th and then use right hand to grab the string between the thumb and 1 or 2 forefingers.
3). 50 aggressive (but quick) back-n-forth stretches grabbing between the 12th fret and nut, and another 50 between the 12th fret and bridge. Tune back up to pitch.

Do this for each string, the correct amount of force varies by guage, but give em a really good yank. Works equally well for whammys and hardtails. Lately I've been restringing my gig guitars during set breaks at gigs, I've had no issues slipping out of tune during the next set.

[dwagar]

Try not to have too much string on the tuner and use a good locking wrap on it.
Then give em a good stretch.

[Hamm Guitars]

I do the following:


Check the saddles and the nut
String it up - I've always liked a few wraps around the post
Tune the guitar sharp
stretch the strings by bending - or just pulling on them until they go flat
Retune to standard tuning. I always go past the note (go sharp) and then back to it.
stretch again (same method)
re-tune to pitch
play until tuning is stable
check intonation and adjust if necessary.

[SCREEM]

on strats, I clean the nut slots then polish the saddles a bit with 4000 grit micro mesh at every string swap to prevent burs from forming.....stretch, tune, stretch....always tune up to pitch when done, if I go sharp, I retune up to pitch.

[Ripper]

I'm a stretch and tune guy too. Most of my guitars are hardtails so it doesn't take as long as with the trem unit guitars.

[Rumble_b]

Ok my turn!!

Tune up. Grab string at 12th fret and pull up. Fret at 3rd fret grab at 12 and pull up. Tune again. Repeat once and 98% of the time I'm good to go.

[Metal#J#]

I do the following:

String it up - I've always liked a few wraps around the post
I always go past the note (go sharp) and then back to it.

These are 2 thing I never do.
I find if I leave too much string on the post, there's a chance that the string might leave contact with the post right over the bump where the string has bent through the post hole. Then I would have trouble holding a tune with that string because with strumming/vibration it would always fall off the bump and become flat. Or it would jump right past the note every time I would get close. (sorry if I'm not making sense) Now that I have locking tuners, I don't leave any extra string on the post, problem solved!

As for tuning past the note and then back to pitch, Thats never worked for me. My guitar teacher got me out of that 15 years ago. I've got no explanation but in my experience tuning *up* is the only way to go.

[powrshftr]

These are 2 thing I never do.
I find if I leave too much string on the post, there's a chance that the string might leave contact with the post right over the bump where the string has bent through the post hole. Then I would have trouble holding a tune with that string because with strumming/vibration it would always fall off the bump and become flat. Or it would jump right past the note every time I would get close. (sorry if I'm not making sense) Now that I have locking tuners, I don't leave any extra string on the post, problem solved!

As for tuning past the note and then back to pitch, Thats never worked for me. My guitar teacher got me out of that 15 years ago. I've got no explanation but in my experience tuning *up* is the only way to go.

I agree with 'tuning up' because it takes the slack out of the tuners,especially on older slightly worn vintage stuff,

[GTmaker]

OK so its my turn now...I've been trying this and it seems to work OK

Use a decent tuner
1. tune high E open string dead on
2. tune open B string a hair sharp ( I mean a thin hair OK )
3. tune the rest of strings dead on using 7th fret harmonics)

I read this semewhere and it works fine.

[david henman]

OK so its my turn now...I've been trying this and it seems to work OK
Use a decent tuner
1. tune high E open string dead on
2. tune open B string a hair sharp ( I mean a thin hair OK )
3. tune the rest of strings dead on using 7th fret harmonics)
I read this semewhere and it works fine.


...a new (to me) approach! thanks!

and thanks to everyone for the input. much appreciated.

-dh

[GuitarsCanada]

...seems pretty basic, but i'm curious about what other players have learned and experienced.

i use a stretch and tune method - stretch and tune over and over until everything seems to be stable. with my whammy equipped guitars, i stretch the strings with my fingers and aggressively work the whammy bar, then tune each string, back and forth until the tuning appears to be stable.

however, i rarely see other guitarists go to such lengths to tune up.

which makes me wonder if i am going to extremes, or if there are "tricks of the trade" of which i am unaware.

-dh

I apply roughly the same technique, I can stand to be corrected though.

[david henman]

I apply roughly the same technique, I can stand to be corrected though.

...me, too, which is why i started the thread. i have been using this method for so long i began to wonder if i might have fallen out of step. every once in a while you have to question what you do. in the end, i did learn something by asking (from GTmaker):

1. tune high E open string dead on
2. tune open B string a hair sharp ( I mean a thin hair OK )
3. tune the rest of strings dead on using 7th fret harmonics)

although i tend to tune the b string a hair flat. hmmm...

-dh

[Lester B. Flat]

...me, too, which is why i started the thread. i have been using this method for so long i began to wonder if i might have fallen out of step. every once in a while you have to question what you do. in the end, i did learn something by asking (from GTmaker):

1. tune high E open string dead on
2. tune open B string a hair sharp ( I mean a thin hair OK )
3. tune the rest of strings dead on using 7th fret harmonics)

although i tend to tune the b string a hair flat. hmmm...

-dh
Here's someone else's opinion on using 7th fret harmonics.
http://www.stagepass.com/tuning.html

[GTmaker]

Im so damed confused about this tuning stuff, its driving me crazy.
Use the seventh fret...dont use the seventh fret.
use harmonics...never use harmonics.

Will any of this help me play in the proper key?

[david henman]

Im so damed confused about this tuning stuff, its driving me crazy.
Use the seventh fret...dont use the seventh fret.
use harmonics...never use harmonics.
Will any of this help me play in the proper key?


...no. for that you need the right hair style.:banana:

-dh

[Hamm Guitars]

The guy I have recording my demo tracks for my guitars tunes with chords. He gets his open A, and then he tunes the other strings around it using chords in three of four different positions all over the neck.

It would probably take me half an hour or so to get a guitar tuned up this way, but He seems to get it done in thirty seconds or less.

[KTownPete]

Warning! Geezer story from the new guy. Way back I was in a band in which the guitarist/leader insisted that the the bassist and I have our guitars set up by "his tech," that we stretch our strings and that we use harmonics to tune before and several times during each practice. Did this for several months, but apparently it was driving the drummer (the leader's brother) crazy until he snaps and stops us at the beginning of a song we are playing right after one of our tune-up breaks. Drummer insists his brother check his tuning. Brother does and it is no longer "perfect." Asks me to do the same - guess what? No longer "perfect." Drummer starts screaming at his brother - brother screams back - drummer gets in brother's face and screams "Don't forget to stretch the ... strings!" pulls on the strings until they snap then walks out. End of practice, end of band. Lesson learned - I still remember the importance of stretching when tuning. :wink:

Oh yes, I also tune "up" and although I can tune to harmonics, I often just tune quickly while playing chords or note runs (as HG mentions above). The ear gets very used to hearing these. Gets me in the ballpark and that is close enough for Rn'R.:rockon2:

[GTmaker]

...no. for that you need the right hair style.:banana:

-dh
OK David...I know you rock stars have your little secrets but I have decided on the Scotty Anderson tuning method so look carefully at the whole video and you'll see what I mean. I know this method is going to work just fine for me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x54l1zSrf_Q

[KTownPete]

Excellent video GTMaker and it only took Scotty 1:17 to tune his guitar. However, that's an awful lot of notes to check on in order to make sure to get the tuning right.

I do hope that David is wrong about the hair.

[Lester B. Flat]

OK David...I know you rock stars have your little secrets but I have decided on the Scotty Anderson tuning method so look carefully at the whole video and you'll see what I mean. I know this method is going to work just fine for me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x54l1zSrf_Q

Wow! Would I ever love to take 'tuning' lessons from him.:bow:

[GTmaker]

Excellent video GTMaker and it only took Scotty 1:17 to tune his guitar. However, that's an awful lot of notes to check on in order to make sure to get the tuning right.

I do hope that David is wrong about the hair.

Hey Pete..having used the Scotty tuning system for 2 days now I can say that it relies heavily on multi note reference points. The more notes the better. I am having trouble deciding whether to tune the E string higher or lower right after the G7 #5b9 chord. I think that just pretending to turn the tuning nob will be as efective as actualy doing it.

By the way, David in not wrong about the hair.

[Yerffej]

The guy I have recording my demo tracks for my guitars tunes with chords. He gets his open A, and then he tunes the other strings around it using chords in three of four different positions all over the neck.

It would probably take me half an hour or so to get a guitar tuned up this way, but He seems to get it done in thirty seconds or less.
probably tuning one chord would work if you were sticking in that key. tuning several chords sounds silly though. you would end up adjusting to each chord and in the end, you would only be tuned to the last chord you did. I think this whole method is flawed

[Hamm Guitars]

probably tuning one chord would work if you were sticking in that key. tuning several chords sounds silly though. you would end up adjusting to each chord and in the end, you would only be tuned to the last chord you did. I think this whole method is flawed

I think He justs checks them for reference, and he adjusts for intonation. Guitars are never correctly intonated all over the neck, so I guess he makes compromises based on what He is playing.

[KTownPete]

Hey GTmaker, thanks for the insight on multi note reference points. I clearly need a setup since I am having trouble with the intonation on the 1,223rd and 3,465th note of the Scotty tuning system. Then again, it might just be the hair.

Re. your question, I would tune the E string higher as long as you don't forget to stretch the string.

I'm going to try that pretending thing at our next practice, I'm going to practice reaching behind my head with my picking hand to do it. As long as I come close I think it will look impressive!

Yerffej, I understand your point if you are taking the time to tune one chord and then another, and so on. When I say tune while playing chords, I am referring to what Hamm Guitar describes -- you quickly play several chords and brief note runs all over the neck as a reference while listening closely for which if any string needs adjusting, then adjust accordingly so that all sounds very good, not perfect but very good.

[GTmaker]

"KTownPete]Hey GTmaker, thanks for the insight on multi note reference points. I clearly need a setup since I am having trouble with the intonation on the 1,223rd and 3,465th note of the Scotty tuning system. Then again, it might just be the hair."

Hey Pete...I feel your pain...had the same damed problem myself...

"Re. your question, I would tune the E string higher as long as you don't forget to stretch the string."

Obviously Pete you are much more advanced then I. I never even thought about the string stretching part.Next new set of string I buy, I'll wrap each string arond my toes, get a good grip on the other end, then stretch the hell out of the little suckers.


"I'm going to try that pretending thing at our next practice, I'm going to practice reaching behind my head with my picking hand to do it. As long as I come close I think it will look impressive!"

Once again Pete, your emagination clearly outwits mine..congrats.

[offkey_]

Ok my turn!!

Tune up. Grab string at 12th fret and pull up. Fret at 3rd fret grab at 12 and pull up. Tune again. Repeat once and 98% of the time I'm good to go.
This is the same way I tune.

[guitarzan]

i avoid using the 5th and seventh fret harmonic tuning method. i prefer to use the combo of open and fretted strings.
i do double checks in various positions until i get it balanced all over.
after doing the usual fretted 5th and open string method i then move up to the tenth fret.. play the tenth fret low E and tune the open D string, then the 1oth fret A string and open G. then move to the 9th fret D and open B, finally the 9th fret G and open high E.
after doing this go back to the 5th fret E and do the regular method to double check.
i then also verify the c note on the A string and 1st fret B as well as some octaves to further tweak it slightly.
i just go through all these to get a good balance on all positions.
by checking in various positions you get it more balanced all over.
a guitar will never be perfect but you can get close.
harmonics may seem ok but you are fretting when you play, why check notes that are not fretted? strings stretch when you are fretting.
i keep my action average to low to minimize stretch from fretting.
and yeah i stretch the heck out of them before tuning her up.

if anyone has the Guitar Player issue ( 80's) that featured EVH and the eruption solo transcription there is a very deep tuning section by Johnny Smith.

[aC2rs]

Ah.

My technique involves plugging the tuner in, trying to get the meter to zero out for each string, and voila I'm done.

If the guitar isn't in tune, or doesn't stay in tune, it doesn't really matter because with my playing you couldn't tell anyway:eek:

But hey, at least I have the good hair!