How to tune correctly???

[dgassie]

If I understand this correctly, there are two basic ways to tune a guitar, attack or decay. I presently use either a Seiko SMP-20 or a Boss TU-6 and use the decay method. It seems easier as I just have to wait for the needle to stabilize and tune up to the centerline, being careful not to exert pressure on the neck. I’ve heard though, that tuning to the attack is more accurate and the guitar sounds more “in tune”. I’ve noticed there is quite a variation in frequency between the two methods.

The question is; how do I tune to the attack? Do I pick the string constantly and try for an average middle reading on the needle, or do I pick it once and tune so that the needle never goes past the middle reading and don’t worry what happens when it’s on the way down.

I don’t want to purchase another tuner at this time so if anyone has any suggestions of how to go about this with the ones I have.

Thanks,
Dan

[samicksg]

Moved from Epitalk

-SamickSg

[jeje]

I usually just hit the string continously, and tune whilst doing it to my ears, it sounds good enough.. Guess I'm an attacker then

[supedupviper]

If your guitar has decent sustain, you could just pick the string once and tune it while it rings out, thats what it do when I use a tuner. But what I do is use a tuner to tune the low E string, then tune the rest of the strings by ear. I just like it better that way

[dgassie]

That's how I tune Supedupviper. It's the decay method and it works well for me too but I think the way Jeje does it, the attack method is believed to be better.

The result is almost a half note difference between both methods, so which one actualy puts you in tune?

Dan

[CAFeathers]

I tune to the exact moment I hit the string, after all that is when you want it in tune. Letting it ring lets the note drop off some.

[mandough]

I personaly go for the attack method, and try to balance it out with a bit of decay.
I.E. : If the attack is dead on, and it stays in tune for around 2 or 3 seconds after that, I'm happy.

[ZacAttack]

mandough said:

I personaly go for the attack method, and try to balance it out with a bit of decay.
I.E. : If the attack is dead on, and it stays in tune for around 2 or 3 seconds after that, I'm happy.

Same here. I do that on a tuner first. Then I check the intonation by hitting a harmonic on the fith fret and the seventh fret of the next smaller string on the first 4. Then check the 5th string to the 4th with the step up on the 4th then the step down with the 5th, and then hit the 5th and 6th at the same time and listen for pitch. Then check the pitch up on the 12th fret. This gives me a good tune even if the stobe or intonation is a bit off. If the strobe is dead on, the first step with the tuner is all I need. But I still check it every where else just for grins. This may sound like alot to do but once you get used to it, it will take you like 2 mins tops. I find that I have to re-tune alot less if I do this first. Also I get a better idea of which strings fall out of tune the most.

[Steelpriest]

The string that falls out of tune the most is generally the G string... at least on my guitars, lol... maybe that´s because I bend that string the most and most excessive?

[ZacAttack]

Steelpriest said:

The string that falls of tune the most is generally the G string... at least on my guitars, lol... maybe that´s because I bend that string the most and most excessive?

Same here. lol ;D

[mandough]

Sometimes I think it would be nice to have a locking tuner on the G string, cause after I wail on it for a while it goes flatter than a pancake. Thank God for muted tuning on my ME-50. It lets me tune in the quiet moments of a song.

Annother harmonic thing to test tuning is to hit a harmonic on the 12th, and the 7th of the next string down. Those two notes should ring the same, except for the G and B. One more thing I try to do is make the B string just a tiny bit sharp, as this helps the open chords to blend a bit better.

[noeljob]

i like to tune my big e to 440 then pull on it a little bit until it doesnt untune when i pull it. then i tune an e major all the way down. if your axe is strobed correctly it will fall right into tune everywhere. thats just my method. if its not strobed exact then i tune open e chord, a open chord , then i tune a d maj chord, then i tune the b & e strings open together . i like my little e a little sharp.

[noeljob]

oh yeah g string is a pain in the arse. i call it the F string.
i can hear meself now, F@#K.

[Steelpriest]

noeljob said:

i like to tune my big e to 440 then pull on it a little bit until it doesnt untune when i pull it.

D'oh! The E string to 440 hz? You mean the A string, 440 is A actually. Hehe, tuning the E to A might give your neck a nice bow sooner or later and you might use your guitar as a crossbow and shoot arrows... hehe! Just had to throw my two cents in here... don´t be offended.

[mandough]

To nail that thought down all the way, Steel, the A NOTE on the G string second fret is 440. The A string itself vibrates at exactly half that sum, or 220. It's known as "Concert A" because it is based on the open A string of a violin which does ring out at 440 when tuned correctly.