Author Topic: Tuning Stability (Read 150 times)

jalevinemd · « **on:** April 30, 2006, 09:00:41 AM »

Hey guys, got a question.

My Little Bear stays in tune quite well while I'm playing. I do notice, however, that sometimes if I put it down for even ten minutes or so and then start to play again, it's a bit sharp according to the tuner. It also seems to go a bit sharp if I haven't played for a few days. I have no buzzing issues or any problems with the neck that I notice.

My new Goldtop, on the other hand, was in perfect tune after a week of inactivity on its stand. Is this simply a factor of the Goldtop's neck being much thicker and the guitar 5 years old as opposed to my Little Bear which is less than 2 years.

They are both in the same room. Climate is not an issue. I always thought a guitar would tend towards being flat, rather than sharp, after a period of non-use. It was set up a few months back, so I don't see why the truss rods should be an issue. I haven't changed string brands or gauge. I use 9-42's on all my guitars.

Any thoughts?

Regards,

Jonathan

(Message edited by jalevinemd on April 30, 2006)

tom_z · « **Reply #1 on:** April 30, 2006, 09:14:29 AM »

Jonathan - I remembered this thread about Joey's bass exhibiting the same phenomenon. The weather in Chicago is changing quite a bit just now, I suspect, and if you're playing out with Little Bear, this could be a contributing factor.

Perhaps Joey has some observations he can make about this. Good luck.

Peace
Tom

keith_h · « **Reply #2 on:** April 30, 2006, 09:17:12 AM »

Jonathan,
My basses always go sharp. This goes for my Jazz Bass as well as my Alembics. Unlike my JB the Alembics only seem to go out of tune with weather changes. I can also go from my house to a gig or rehearsal and not have any noticable tuning changes.

My old (gave it my daughter) 61 Fender guitar was very stable. It didn't seem to go out of tune unless I was playing realy hard. My acoustic on the other hand needs to be tuned each time I use it. It also seems to go sharp when idle.

Keith

jalevinemd · « **Reply #3 on:** April 30, 2006, 09:40:51 AM »

Thanks guys. Tom, that's one hell of a memory you've got! I'll just chalk it up to a relatively new guitar and changing seasons. Nice to know it's not a big problem and that it's been experienced by folks who know a lot more than I do about such things.

Regards,

Jonathan

(Message edited by jalevinemd on April 30, 2006)

bigredbass · « **Reply #4 on:** May 01, 2006, 04:34:57 PM »

My observation is that the BigRedBass goes sharp WHEN I use my old TU100 BOSS tuner. I also observe that when I use my new little TU80 BOSS tuner it stays where I left it when I last tuned it. Hmmmmm . . . . JLMD, try it with a DIFFERENT tuner and see if your experience is parallel.

J o e y

jalevinemd · « **Reply #5 on:** May 01, 2006, 06:02:48 PM »

I'll try it. Thanks Joey.

Jonathan