Author Topic: Tuning a guitar (Read 187 times)

jalevinemd · « **on:** April 01, 2008, 01:38:07 PM »

I've been playing guitar (6 string) for over 20 years and am starting to have questions about how I tune.

1. Do you pluck the string just enough to register the note or with the same force as while playing?

2. Is it best to use a pick or just a finger?

3. Do you take the initial reading or let the note ring for a second or two?

4. Does it matter which pickup you've selected?

5. If the tuner is in a long pedal chain, is it more accurate to be first or can it be last?

Thoughts?

Regards,

Jonathan

p.s. Bill, I still have yet to but a Peterson Strobe Tuner. I'm reluctant because the Boss fits perfectly on the pedalboard and functions as a mute switch as well.

bsee · « **Reply #1 on:** April 01, 2008, 02:10:29 PM »

Here's my take:

1. Doesn't matter, but I usually go easy because of #3.

2. Shouldn't matter - Doesn't on a bass as far as I can tell.

3. I let it ring a little. Probably not two seconds, but at least a half second. The initial attack could be a little sharp, especially if you pluck it hard, compared to the sustained note. If a quick note is off by a hair, it won't stick out as ugly. On the other hand, a sustained note that's off key will show to the careful listener.

4. Probably not, I never worry about it, but the bridge pickup might be more consistent.

5. Why would you want something in the signal chain that isn't necessary to the signal? I prefer to keep it separate. As such, I couldn't tell you whether it's better at the front or back. I would suppose the front would allow you to tune accurately without turning off all of your effects.

-bob

lbpesq · « **Reply #2 on:** April 01, 2008, 03:14:59 PM »

One thing I disagree with Bob on is which pickup to use. I have always found that the neck pickup seems to give the clearest signal, and I seem to recall reading something once that stated to use the neck pickup - the one closest to the center. I hit the string with a pick the same way and with the same force as I'm going to be playing. I use the tuner out on my Ernie Ball Volume pedal for the tuner. I can just move the pedal all the way back to mute the signal. The tuner out still passes a signal. Get a Peterson, you'll never go back.

Bill, tgo

jalevinemd · « **Reply #3 on:** April 01, 2008, 06:59:47 PM »

Thanks guys.

Bill, I'm going to try the neck pickup.

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** April 02, 2008, 07:58:07 AM »

4 - It seems to me that the bridge pickup signal should be cleaner.

5 - I would think having it first in the chain would be preferable so that you can quickly tune without having to turn off all the other effects.

bracheen · « **Reply #5 on:** April 02, 2008, 10:42:51 AM »

This just may be my lack of experience showing but as far as which pick up wouldn't one want to tune using the same configuration as most often played?

Sam

edwin · « **Reply #6 on:** April 03, 2008, 02:13:22 AM »

The bridge pickup is less clean because it contains more harmonics, while the neck gives a stronger fundamental. You should pick lightly and let it sustain. There are some good tuning tips over at the Peterson site.

Edwin

bsee · « **Reply #7 on:** April 03, 2008, 03:42:12 AM »

Interesting! So you guys are saying that even though the bridge pickup provides a tighter tone, the higher harmonic content means that it is more likely to generate false readings on the tuner. I will have to investigate that.

811952 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2008, 06:49:24 AM »

Neck pickup is best for me, not so much so now that I've got flatwounds though...

John

David Houck · « **Reply #9 on:** April 03, 2008, 08:07:14 PM »

Yes, that is interesting.

elwoodblue · « **Reply #10 on:** April 03, 2008, 09:40:05 PM »

Think of all the harmonics possible(all the way to infinity in an ideal situation) as you move towards the end of the string.
Picking there and listening there you are more likely have a timbre
with those smaller wavelengths at a higher amplitude. ...

The tuner hears more of
the fifth,

the third,

the seventh ,
...higher octaves...
..on and on..

811952 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 04, 2008, 12:53:40 PM »

and best-case-scenario for the tuner is to see a sine wave...

mica · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2008, 01:23:07 PM »

For fun, try to pluck at the 12th fret - or more accurately at the exact center of the string. You should completely eliminate the second harmonic if you get it exactly at the center. I've been looking at the spectrum analyzer alot lately.

bsee · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2008, 01:37:08 PM »

I have been working on my recording skills of late and doing a lot of playing with the spectrum analyzer as well. These are very cool toys to understand what's going on in tones.

elwoodblue · « **Reply #14 on:** April 05, 2008, 07:30:21 AM »

Does anyone have a good realtime analyzer/oscilloscope software recommendation?
... or should I look for some hardware.
...maybe one of those nifty laptops