5 Guitar Tuning Hacks (That will SAVE Your Acoustic Life)

[@john564holloway]

The best tips, Tony, especially the adjustable capo! Definitely is needed!

[@loualleluia6353]

Great tips Tony. Also, if the 12th harmonic shows out of tune when the open string doesn't, it may be time to get the guitar adjusted. Some on stage tips: break in the new set of strings ahead of time before going on stage, and maybe put that capo song at the end of a set to reduce the amount of time fiddling with the guitar on stage.

[@davidgallant4245]

Thanks for reminding me about the pencil lead trick. I changed strings last week and played for a while this week and was thinking why does everything feel tenser? Forgot my pencil... I'm going right now to put one in my string change kit. Thanks Tony.

[@pioneerperformance5537]

Thanks Tony, just like your entire program, very helpful and informative!

[@richellmcknight446]

I'm glad you mentioned the capo- I've noticed when I REMOVE my capo, MOST of the time if I have to retune, the guitar is SHARP, which makes no sense to me! If the capo adds tension, essentially stretching the string, shouldn't the strings be FLAT when I have to retune? Neither my teacher, nor any of the guitarists I've asked can tell me why- and you're the first person that has even mentioned the word sharp, lol, so hopefully you know! Thanks!😁💖

[@robertnewell5057]

Hi Tony - I'm surprised you didn't mention the best hack of all (as you featured in your 'Best way to change guitar strings video) - the lock string method AKA the Nashville Tie. This eliminates so many tuning problems through the life of the string, since the string is effectively locked against itself. Especially good with wound strings as the lock is against the windings. Also reduces broken strings as the sting bears on a rounded surface (the string itself) rather than on the tuner post, where the bearing is always sharper, even on high end tuners. By the way, on acoustics there's really no need, in my experience, to go though all this slacking off and winding down stuff. The headstock angle is enough to give a sufficient break angle. Alan Carruth has a great article on break angle at the nut, where the angle is much less than at the headstock. Also, those extra winds are why guitar tuning takes a while to settle in. I don't do that, I tune the strings once, tune them again and they then stay in tune reliably. None of this is my own working, by the way, I got it off Jerry Donahue.

[@gnostic77]

I know it's a little advanced, but you might someday want to show how to "sweet" tune an acoustic guitar. I know that if I tune my guitar to a good tuner, like a Peterson Strobe, I still have to tune my low E harmonically to the A and high E. Then I can hear it drop into its groove.

[@maverickpanda]

Please do this

[@1974xaviers]

Thanks for this vid..very informative.. just curious to know what equipment you use to do your recording ???

[@billhorrigan4388]

Stretching the strings doesn't make the strings longer. What happens is the get tighter around the tuning posts creating more slack. That is why you need to tune more often on a newer set of strings. Once they are as tight as they can get they will hold their tune better. Tuning will still be effected by weather and temperature.

[@onlyrick]

I tune my "B" string on the third fret "D" instead of open. Seems to work gooder on most guitars.

[@paullehmor982]

Good idea, the B string is a disaster. Just wonder if guitars with zeroth fret (no nut) intonate better on the low frets? The Swedish luthier Sandén builds most of his guitars now-days with zeroth fret. Brian May had it on his first electric ... (rig rundown video about it on YT)

[@matthewbashaw5731]

@@paullehmor982, I’ve been pickin on the same Taylor for about a decade and a half now... and for the first 8-9 of those years, I fought tooth-and-nail with both the G and B strings. No matter how accurate my tuner was, they just didn’t give a shit, plain and simple. They were gonna do whatever they were gonna do, and that was that. I tried compensated nuts/saddles, all sorts of weird tuning schemes, set-ups and fret work done by pros... none of it fixed the problem. While I now understand that it’s caused by the tuning system itself being flawed, and therefore “unfixable”...I also stumbled across something that helped tremendously. It’s called the String Butler. It’s just a small piece of gear that mounts to the headstock, keeping the strings in a straight line as they move past the nut, which prevents binding and slippage. Long story short, after throwing that on there it holds tune a million times better, and maintains a well balanced intonation for much longer than I ever thought possible. Even with frequent traveling between varying climates/humidity levels. Hands-down, the best $35 I ever spent. Look it up and give it a shot.

[@paullehmor982]

TE capo tip: After putting the capo on - put your palm over the soundhole and press down on the strings. This gives them a stretch and removes most of the sharpness added by the capo. Hmm ... Tommy didn't mention what to do when you remove the capo. Maybe a backwards neck bend will do it? Segovia tip: "Guitar players spend half their time tuning their guitars, the other half they play out of tune."

[@utubehound69]

One of my mentors could tune a guitar by ear faster than I could start tuning w/a tuner. Never seen anyone ever do that before or since. He turn me on to open tunings.

[@allavievishnu1886]

first of all ,you are adorable and I love you. Secondly and less importantly: Yes I need to remember the pencil too! My low E string has a buzz to it, my action may be too low , or would the pencil help with that ? Also, wont the key change once I put the kapo on? Will the tuning still be EADGBE ? I have tried to retune after I put the kapo on before and everything sounded wrong... don't know what I did there! Let me know :) thank youuu

[@nancyshumway2251]

Tony what is the capo that you mentioned after #4 tuning hacks it sounds like you say either Elliot or Ellie capo that you can adjust can you please give me the kind it was. Thanks Nancy from Germantown

[@edmundpotrzeba6094]

I love you approach

[@nicolen.9642]

Yep. Tuners are handy, that's for sure 👍... by ear might be my own issue 😟

[@zachmikkablair9537]

I played guitar and bass both for a handful of years before i cld actually tune one by ear and i still struggle if ita way outta tune. I can get it in tune with itself but that doesnt mean its actually standard tuning haha.

[@thomasnowicki5844]

Tuners are indeed an integral part of any guitarist's gear, especially in a noisy venue. No way could I ever tune by ear in a crowded bar😂

[@jameslyons1661]

Thank you 🎸

[@maxverstappennonofficial]

You will add a membership badge ? i will buy it!

[@intunewithamelia7105]

Nice 😉

[@proberaum7015]

"Next station: tuning by ear!"

[@scotthansenmtbt4110]

I heard an old rock and roller say to another…..what did we do before electronic tuners??? The other replied, we played out of tune!

[@Guitaristlife-dn9ou]

I tune, stretch tune stretch until it’s no longer flat

[@suegates5]

🚩Well done,I'm sure you helped many. Now can you come here +fix my Intonation on my Fender,Whoa what a mess. The Magic 12 th, Screamed at me.

[@uswaizum732]

👏👏👏👏👍👍👍