Food for thought

but … who’s guitar is out of tune ???

1 Like

I guess we’ll find out in everyone’s next AVOYP post :smiley:! I better tune my guitar now as I am about to start my practice session.

5 Likes

Hey Tod, I used to play the trumpet in my teens. They have a tuning slide to adjust the tuning, but trumpets often sound out of tune - at least mine did. Operator error?

2 Likes

6th, 7th & 8th grade band… trumpet…
I realized one day that I wasn’t ever going to sound like Louis Armstrong…
About the time I discovered girls!!!
ā€˜Nuff said.

Tod

2 Likes

And if I were to say to you ā€œthat sounded terrible! Do you even know what a tuner is?ā€ would you take that as constructive, factual feedback, or might you be offended?

My point is that it’s possible to be abrasive about something as objective as a guitar being out of tune.

1 Like

There is an undertone associated with such a comment that the player is unable to detect that they are out of tune, ergo, it infers that one is lacking in a fundamental skill.

1 Like

Of course, one shouldn’t be unnecessarily rude to others, but in this case, tuning the guitar before recording isn’t, IMO, a skill but something that should be the first thing to do. Like wiping your muddy shoes on a mat before you enter the house.

3 Likes

I watched the section of the video where Tommy and Molly discuss playing in tune (starting at 10:24). Based on Tommy’s words before (record yourself…listen to what you’re doing and the sounds your making), and his specific words ā€œGet used to the sound of being really in tune…spend time tuning…find all the idiosyncrasies in your guitar and get the damn thing in tuneā€, and his body language indicating the entire neck of the guitar, I had a slightly different interpretation. In addition to the message to tune your guitar, I think he was implying that you have to make sure your intonation correct on your instrument. Don’t get used to playing an instrument that is out of tune with itself. Then Molly agrees.

Just yesterday I picked up a guitar I haven’t played in a while, and realized the intonation is out. This is typical with seasonal changes, of course. But many people (especially, but not only beginners) don’t know this, and I wouldn’t have thought to check it except that we’re all nerds here and, I got a new capo that I wanted to check out, and, well, I’ve learned. Honestly, my ear is not yet good enough to hear it. I may try adjusting it myself, but there’s a good chance that guitar will be visiting the tech next week.

So a person may get pissy because, well, they just tuned their guitar, but it’s not set up properly and they don’t know any better, they haven’t developed their ear, and now someone is telling them they haven’t done something that they (think) they just did. Pointing all of this out to them is a wonderful thing to do. Doing it kindly is the way to do it.

2 Likes

problem is : we dont all have access to a tech or luthier

mine is 75 kms away , an expensive and tiring trip

How did you know?

How do you check this as I don’t think that I have checked this on any of my guitars ever.

Play each string open and ensure it is in tune. Then fret the strings at the 12th fret and repeat, if they are sharp or flat at the 12th fret your intonation needs adjusting. And also means when you play higher up the neck the notes will be out of tune.
:sunglasses:

3 Likes

Hi @Stuartw
A fast way to verify intonation is to tune the open strings, then fret the 12th. You should get the same note on a tuner, just an octave higher.

If you fret too hard, you will pull the note out of tune, so try to fret the 12th properly.

I do this check every string change.

1 Like

Ok , I just did that test and intonation is consistent. I tune my guitar daily, sometimes more often like when I play outdoors where the temperature and humidity are different (I live in the desert). I think I have a pretty good ear, as I can tell immediately if I’m out of tune, and when I tune the guitar, I can hear that the note is right before looking at the tuner to confirm.

2 Likes

Here’s a short video on how to check and adjust intonation:

2 Likes

Deb, it must be frustrating, not having resources nearby. While we do have local resources, I intend to learn to do many adjustments myself, and have gathered the tools and instructions to do so. I just haven’t carved out the time! I’m hoping it will be like changing strings - the first time seems to take forever, and it gets easier after that.

1 Like

good luck in trying :slight_smile:
it does not look easy

there is a shop where you can have some repairs done but not on guitars with a warranty ( If you ve bought the guitar online for example )
All the luthiers are in Lyon and its quite far away …
I must not be the only one in this situation I think

We (guitarists in general) tend to use the term ā€œluthierā€ loosely, I think. The sorts of adjustments I’m thinking of don’t require a guitar builder, but a technician. They are really part of maintenance and would not be covered under a manufacturer’s warranty as I understand it. I’m writing this because: perhaps the shop you mention that does repairs is a good place for you to get these services!

I’ve often wished I could find a one- or two-afternoon class to learn how to do a guitar setup.

2 Likes

For those unfamiliar Phillip McKnight he is a former music store owner who now runs a YouTube channel called Know Your gear. The main focus of the channel, as you might have guessed, it’s all about guitars, amps, and and all of the related gear we use to make music.

While Phillip does from time to time do sponsored content and reviews he is about the most independent voice I have come across on YouTube and I personally consider him quite honest and trustworthy.

Why does this matter? Phillip is also wonder resource when it comes to maintaining, upgrading, or repairing your guitar. From simple things like string changes and hardware swaps to doing a full setup, if you have a guitar question he’ll have an answer for you.

He also hosts a weekly live podcast that routinely draws over a 1,000 live viewers which looks at every aspect of the guitar industry.

I can’t recommend him and his channel enough.

https://www.youtube.com/@PhillipMcKnight

3 Likes

I just watched two of Phillip’s videos based on a recommendation from @sequences. Phillip is excellent - concise and understandable explanations, and he doesn’t get into nuances that don’t apply to the situation he’s addressing. I guess he’s been mentioned before in the community, but thanks to both of you for pointing him out (again)!

3 Likes

The guy who owns the local shop in Roanne is a guitarist himself and his does some maintenance on guitars
I brought my old guitar ( plonk plonk) to him once , and thats when he told me that he would not do it ( a set up ) on a guitar under warranty ( not bought in his store ) …
So the only town left here is … Lyon

I want to buy an electro acoustic guitar so Ill go again and talk to him about it
I dont want to do almost 200 kms in a day just to try a 3/4 guitar in Lyon so Ill take my chance with this shop

dont know where you can find that :sweat_smile: