OT:Tuning a guitar using and Equal Temperament method

[David Ilvedson]

And when done...start over again as the tuning will have changed...;-]

David I.



----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Michael Spalding" <spalding48@earthlink.net>
To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
Received: 9/18/2005 9:47:51 AM
Subject: RE: OT:Tuning a guitar using and Equal Temperament method


>Steve,

>I am an amateur (novice) luthier, currently playing both classical and
>12-string of my own making.  I tune these two instruments diferently, just
>as we tune every piano differently.  Different scale designs, condition of
>strings, condition of frets, action height, intonation (the bridge and nut
>adjustments your referred to).  For each of my 2 guitars, I have learned
>what the E6 to E1 double octave should sound like.  Within those bounds,
>ever-so slightly wide 4ths are set.  Then I check 3rds on the same string
>pairs, fingering the lower string at the first fret and leaving the upper
>string open.  Depending on the guitar, you might get evenly increasing 3rds
>including the open G3-B2, or you may only get them "not too far out of
>line".  I then do a variety of checks on fretted note pairs, because that
>is the real world.  How compromised these intervals will be depends on the
>quality/condition of the guitar and strings.   If the intonation is not
>right, if the strings are old and false ( or just the wrong strings for the
>guitar), the compromises will be pretty severe, but that's the best you can
>do under the circumstances.

>Intonation and other setup adjustments are critical.  Like regulation and
>voicing, the attention they get from new guitar dealers ranges from total
>attention to detail, to total negligence.  To learn more about it, visit
>the Musical Instrument Maker's Forum:  http://www.mimf.com/
>or pick up a copy of the Guitar Player Repair Guide by Dan Erlewine.

>hope that helps

>Mike


>> (I posted the following to a Classical Guitar Forum)
>>
>> Any methods using fretted partials (harmonics) will introduce an  
>> error due to the Pythagorean comma (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ 
>> Pythagorean_comma) if you are trying to produce an equal temperament.
>>
>> I tune pianos aurally and have found that I can use basically the  
>> same method I use on pianos, on guitar. It is simply this:
>>
>> Tune your 5th string (A) to a fork or an electronic tuning device.
>>
>> Sound your 5th and 6th string together. Listen for the beats produced  
>> what would be the 5th fret partial (harmonic) on E and 7th fret  
>> partial on A. Make the E-A interval slightly wide, 1 or 2 beats per 5  
>> seconds.
>>
>> Do the same for A(5th string) to D(4th string). Again listen for the  
>> 5th-7th fret harmonic beats and make the interval slightly wide, 1-2  
>> beats per 5 seconds. It shouldn't sound like "beats" really, just a  
>> slow roll.
>>
>> Do the same for D(4th string) to G(3rd string), making the interval  
>> slightly wide, but not as wide as the lower strings.
>>
>> Tune the E(1st string) to the E(6th string) as pure a double octave  
>> as you can, or maybe just slightly wide.
>>
>> Then tune the B(2nd string) to E(1st string) at 1 beat (or less) per  
>> 5 seconds.
>>
>> I then check intervals of a 5th on the open A(5th), D(4th), A (2nd  
>> fret on G 3rd string), D(3rd fret on B 2nd string), A (5th fret on E  
>> 1st string) and make sure they are slightly narrow.
>>
>> If you've nailed it, the G(3rd string) to E (1st string) interval  
>> sounded together will produce a beat of about 8 beats per second.
>>
>> This sounds helluva cumbersome, but once you get used to it you can  
>> tune a guitar in 30 seconds or less with it. :-)
>>
>> If the guitar was WAY out of tune to start with, do the process again  
>> to balance string tension. Keep in mind that cruddy strings and a mal- 
>> adjusted bridge/saddle/nut will affect tuning greatly. Bridge and nut  
>> adjustments are best left to a luthier, IMHO. :-)
>>
>> It takes me between an hour to an hour and a half to tune a piano, so  
>> I consider my self lucky I play guitar!
>>
>> I'd be interested to hear if anyone uses a similar technique or finds  
>> this to be useful. If you are new to tuning guitars, this is NOT the  
>> technique for you. It takes a while to train your brain to be able to  
>> filter through what you are supposed to be listening to using this  
>> method.
>>
>> Happy tuning!
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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