Tuning dilemma
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Posted on May 28, 2007 05:08 pm
Cliffriff
Member Since: May 10, 2007
I'm about to rip my hair out over here. I worked on my new song for so long. But I was using a capo and when ever I use a capo, I cannot keep the tuning correct. Listened back and it sounds off. I tune to an online tuner and then whenever I put the capo on it goes out of tune for some reason :-( So then I'd tune it with the capo on but it just sounded off. aahhh! haha I decided to take a break for a couple days. And relax and watch movies today :-) After I figure out this tuning dilemma the song will be ready to be recorded! I wanted to initially record with the capo on and then use the same chords and record it with the capo off to get different tones. why does the tuning change so much with putting the capo on? any advice?
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TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
May 28, 2007 05:35 pm Its probably that the intonation is off. I'd put a fresh set of strings on, then intonate the guitar and see if that helps. Heck, maybe even just new strings will do the trick.
I have an acoustic guitar with terrible intonation, and I usually have to retune it after I put the capo on.
I did change my tuning method recently, and it's really made a difference in dealing with guitars with bad intonation. Tune the A string to a tuner, then tune all of the other As to that open A string.
6th string, 5th fret
4th string, 7th fret
3rd string, 2nd fret
1st string, 5th fret
Then I tune the 2nd string, 5th fret to match the 1st string open. The 4th string still gets a little off when I do this so I usually check it against the 2nd string, 5th fret.
May 28, 2007 05:38 pm hey thanks for the reponse. i have brand new strings, but still cant figure it out. Would intonation be that noticibale if the capo is only on the second fret? I thought intonation was noticiable when you go to higher frets say like 11th fret
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
May 28, 2007 10:23 pm It may not be as noticeable but it can happen even on the lower frets. My acoustic has the same type problem, but it is most noticeable when I use alternate tunings. I have gone through at least 6 bridges and saddle combinations trying to correct it and am close but still no cigar. Open it is spot on for the most part. But put that capo on anywhere and it all goes to hell. I'm no to the point of either buying a different guitar, which I don't want to do as this one was owned by Jacob Dylan before the Wallflowers were famous. And I also am kind of fond of the tone of the guitar. So odds are really good I will end up bringing it to a good luthier to try and solve the problem.
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
May 29, 2007 04:09 am I've found when I use a capo that you just have very careful when placing it. Some times it takes 2 or 3 attempts to get it on square without any side movement. The intonation on my guitars is pretty good, but it doesn't take much when putting a capo on to bend some or all of the strings sharp.
Dan
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
May 29, 2007 10:11 am Good point OldDog, it is so easy to put a little "english" on the strings, either by bending them laterally or maybe the capo puts too much pressure against the fretboard and bends the strings sharp.
May 29, 2007 10:17 am Intonation is easily noticed with brand new strings...each set is different and I know loads of people that reset their intonation every time they put on new strings. Intonation problems can do all sorts of weird stuff, make strings out of tune at weird spots, not hold their tuning...it's weird.
If you touch it up every time you change strings it's often very minimal changes each time...I gave up doing that when I quite performing, I used to do it often though.
Agree with OD tho, if it's on even a little off center it'll pull strings not only down, but off to the side and such, pulling them sharp...
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
May 29, 2007 10:59 am You also have to take into consideration the action of the guitar. If you're putting a capo onto strings that are a little high, the action of pressing those strings against the fret by the capo is adding pressure to those strings and 'warping' the tuning. What gauge strings do you use? Have you tried a lighter gauge?
Do you still get the intonation problems when you tune with the capo in place? Try using a tuning fork (the old timers are all going, "aaahhh" at this point), and tuning the guitar - capo in place - to the A440 from the fork. As Tadpui mentioned, tuning the guitar as a whole - rather than just putting the strings in tune - is a whole new ball game.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
May 30, 2007 09:30 pm Hell ya Tadpui, tuning forks rock. I still have a couple of them. That was the only way to tune all of my twelve strings back in the day.
On the capo thing. I had tried several different brands and styles. I finally found one that works splendidly from Kyser. Its the trigger capo and works very well.
