Tunning

Are there different ways to tune your guitar than the normal hit the fifth fret and open on the bottom string, or different than using harmonics. I ve seen some people do it differently, and it sounds better. Is there a different way. Thanx

I dont see why using harmonics would make it sound better, the string is either in tune or not.

yeah he's right, while there are fancy schnazzy ways to tune your guitar, the quality doesnt change...

The result of any tuning technique will sound good, or not, depending on the setup of the instrument. A guitar that does not have good intonation can't ever sound quite right.

If your guitar has a bad intonation, tuning it with harmonics is actually, better, since the harmonic will play the right pitch (no frets involved=no bad or good intonation) but then, when you play, it will still be out of tune.

a problem often seen in 'dem $2000 dollar Squiers ;)

Yes, their are different ways to tune and yes they can sound better depending on where you are playing on the neck and yes having your guitar's intonation properly set is important, but even that can be fine tuned, ( really detuned ), for an overall improvement and that is something that will vary somewhat from guitar to guitar and person to person. This isn't a new problem, it's as old as Western music and stringed instruments, ( Blame on the ancient Greeks ) it's because the octave is divided imperfectly into 12 equal half steps, the system we call "equal temprement", if you look at pictures of old Harpsichords from Bach's time, you'll see two keyboards, they couldn't play in tune in all keys for the same reason , maybe a double neck guitar is really the solution? When the piano was invented they "fixed" the problem by slightly detuning the strings just a tiny bit, middle C on a piano is normally a little sharp. See their is a simple answer to everything LOL, Whats the solution to the problem? Tune the best you can and live with the results, Hey not being perfectly in tune never bothered the Stones, maybe thats where the idea for "Satisfaction" came from..........

Originally posted by pstring
Hey not being perfectly in tune never bothered the Stones, maybe thats where the idea for "Satisfaction" came from..........

LOL You got that right.

Tuning inaccuracies become a problem when the music incorporates several key changes, as in jazz or classical, or when a lot of gain and distortion is applied, as in metal. There are a lot of different 'solutions' out there, ranging from nut modifications (such as Earvana), to weird fret shapes (Yamaha wavefront), both of which which preclude the use of a capo. Unless someone figures out how to time-travel, and slaps Pythagorus upside the head :D , we're pretty much stuck with choosing a compromise we can live with.

[u]Update[/u]: Check out this thread.

[Edited by Lordathestrings on 07-27-2002 at 03:35 PM]

I'm just going to chuck this guitar thing and go with the penny whistle!

You can't buy a whistle for a penny these days :)

Originally posted by Incidents Happen
a problem often seen in 'dem $2000 dollar Squiers ;)

lol
:)

Ok, a $10 whistle............

I've got some very good deals on good name guitars because the intonation wasn't properly set or the tremolo was set up wrong (floyd rose especially)the seller thought the guitar was no good because it either wouldn't stay in tune more than 5 minutes or the notes didn't sound right around the 12th fret. It definately pays to learn basic electric guitar setup. About $35 a pop!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Incidents Happen
a problem often seen in 'dem $2000 dollar Squiers ;) [/QUOTE
That's true that's true....

I'm surprised that no one here has mentioned Buzz Feiten's name yet. This was the first place I ever heard his name, and, if I recall correctly, there were a couple people who were total zealots for his method of tuning/altered guitar nut.

I don't remember exactly what the deal was with his tuning system... wait a second, I'll do a quick google search...

Hmmm... here's a list of artists currently using the Buzz Feiten system:

Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Larry Carlton, Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Pete Anderson, Liona Boyd, "Dimebag" Darrell (Pantera), Jennifer Batten (of the Jeff Beck group), Mick Mars, Michael Landau, Tim Pierce, Dean Parks, Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Stu Hamm, Jimmy Haslip

Here's the link to the home page:

http://www.buzzfeiten.com/index.html

The site doesn't really explain what the tuning system is at all, but if I recall correctly, there's something to do with a staggered guitar nut (i.e. the bit by the machine heads). I don't remember if the frets are changed at all; apparently guitars can be retrofitted, but it's not the same as guitars manufactured with the system...