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Topic: Tuning the %&$#! A String |
Chris DeBarge
From:
Boston, Mass
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Posted 28 Nov 2000 6:40 pm |
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| Sometimes it sounds in tune, other times it's downright painful to hear, especially when playing a full chord. I'm talking C6 tuning; normally I'll tune the C and G strings up to pitch with my tuner, then do the E's and A's by ear. No problem with the E's, but that A is soooo tricky. Anybody got any tips? I appreciate it! |
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C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
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Posted 28 Nov 2000 7:24 pm
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Do you tune ET (Equal Temperament) or JI (Just intonation)?
JI leaves NO beats between any intervals. ET is straight up and down on the meter.
carl |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 28 Nov 2000 9:31 pm
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| Tune C string with tuner (about 5-10 cents sharp of A440 if you play with equal tempered guitar and bass players, this keeps your E from being too flat compared to theirs). Harmonic just above the 4th fret on the C sring matches the harmonic on the 5th fret of the E string. The harmonic on the 12th fret of the E string matches the harmonic at the 7th fret of the A string. This is what you asked for. To finish the top four match the harmonic at the 7th fret of the C string with the 5th fret harmonic af the G string. All others are oct. of each other (unless you are using C6/A7)- then use the harmonic on the 4th fret above the A string (8th string) to match the 5th fret harmonic if the C# string. |
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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Posted 29 Nov 2000 2:36 am
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Hey Chris if that "E" string tuning to the "C" string on 4th and 5th fret harmonics is hard to hear>here is how I do it.
I will tune the "C" note to desired 440 reference; usually a little sharp as Rick A. said. Than same chime to tune the "C" and "G" together on 7th and 5th fret.
Than I chime the "E" string on the 7th fret to the "G" string on the 9th fret. That's how I get my "E" strings in tune; than as Rick A. said> chime your "A" note on the 7th fret to your "E" note on the 12th.
The rest is "you know"?
Also the scale length is very important in conjunction to what string guage you use for that "A" string. The "plain guage" for the "A" string can move out of tune very easily if not the right one.
I use a .020 plain on anything over a 24" scale and a .022 plain on anything less of that scale.
Have fun.
------------------
Ricky Davis
My Homepage
Rebel™ and Ricky's Audio Clips
www.mightyfinemusic.com
Email Ricky: sshawaiian@aol.com
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Chris DeBarge
From:
Boston, Mass
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Posted 29 Nov 2000 5:29 am
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OK I'm reading this over my first cup of coffee, sure is a lot to absorb! Carl, I use Just intonation, except for the C which I reference to a tuner, sometimes the G too, otherwise I tune out the beats. Thanks to Rick and Ricky for those excellent tips, I hope I can come up with a standard for tuning that will make my life easier. Great tip about tuning the C a little sharp, makes a lot of sense. (I avoid playing the open E other than a passing note, now I won't have to worry about it!) Thanks everyone.
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C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
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Posted 29 Nov 2000 10:06 am
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Ok now that you are tuning to JI, the other posters suggestions I go along with. I disagree that you should tune the C a little sharp if you tune ET. It is just the opposite really.
If you tune ET then you should tune the C dead on 440 (assuming others in the band are tuned dead on).
The reason we have to tune the C sharp when tuning Just Intonation is because our "thirds" are soooooo flat to the rest of the instrements it makes OUR instrument sound out of tune. By sharping the C's, it sharpens the thirds relatively and then makes the ears "average" out the differences better.
One other reason to tune the C's sharp (and E's on E9th), is because of cabinet drop. But assuming you have little or no cabinet drop, I believe the above to be correct.
God bless you in what ever you do,
carl |
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