| Author |
Topic: Sun and Keeping in Tune |
Kevin Bullat
From:
Huntington Beach, CA
|
Posted 1 Oct 2005 7:27 pm |
|
The odd thing about playing in a Hawaiian band is that we, 9 time out of 10, are playing outside.
I guess people just figure that Hawaiian music is outside music with the air, the Sun, and the sound of the 5 freeway in the background.
That's fine with me. The only thing is that my '51 Fender T8 is really affected by the hot sun. All necks go up a half step in tone. It's a constant battle to keep tuned until the guitar body is the same (hotter) temperature.
Anyway, is this a common problem? And while I suppose playing inside is the only remedy, any remedies? |
|
|
 |
Joe Delaronde
From:
Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada
|
Posted 1 Oct 2005 7:51 pm
|
|
Kevin
The strings are effected more so than the body/cabinet itself.
Last night I played a jam session and was sitting near an open door. The evenings cool down fast this time of year and suddenly I was out of tune by a 1/4 fret. My buddy had the same problem with his Martin acoustic. We simply closed the door and all was well.
Playing outside sessions on a sunny but cloudy day can be bothersome. The sun beats down and de-tunes the strings and suddenly it slides behind a cloud and you're Ok again. Or a cool breeze comes up in the middle of your solo. It happens fast.
I always try to avoid sitting near an open window or by an exhaust fan or outside under the shade of a tree.
Joe[This message was edited by Joe Delaronde on 01 October 2005 at 08:52 PM.] [This message was edited by Joe Delaronde on 01 October 2005 at 08:54 PM.] |
|
|
|
Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
|
Posted 1 Oct 2005 10:21 pm
|
|
Joe relates:
| Quote: |
| The strings are effected more so than the body/cabinet itself. |
That is unless you play a lap steel guitar, then the body heat comes also into play. It affects the metal body steels more so that the wooden body steel.
When I play any performance, I lay the steel on my lap for time prior to performance and then tune it at the last minute. That seems to work as far as keeping the tuning constant. But even then, as already mentioned, there are various factors that may affect keeping the instrument in tune. |
|
|
|
Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
|
Posted 2 Oct 2005 2:00 am
|
|
| Quote: |
| The odd thing about playing in a Hawaiian band is that we, 9 time out of 10, are playing outside. |
Must be nice.
I go with Don here. Heat makes strings go flat, but with the moisture makes the wood swell (like a piano soundboard), pulling sharp.
I think letting it acclimate as Don suggests is the best thing to do. |
|
|
|
Terry VunCannon
From:
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
|
Posted 2 Oct 2005 7:28 am
|
|
One thing I do is to tune about20 min. before I play, then retune with about 5 min. before starting, but this time I rub the strings from top to bottom for about 15/20 seconds to warm them, then streach them out & retune. You can use the palm of your hand or a towel. I will make a big difference.
Another thing you can do is buy a Harmos. With it's carbon fiber frame, it stays in tune better that any steel that I have.
------------------
'49 & '51 National Dynamics, Harmos Model One, Lazy River Weissenborn, Mesa Boogie DC-3, SRV Strat.
http://community.webshots.com/user/keefriff
|
|
|
|
Bill Leff
From:
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
|
Posted 2 Oct 2005 10:38 am
|
|
Yep, big problem for me too. Especially bothersome with the Rick bakelite guitars.
I always try to position myself under an umbrella or something to provide shade and that helps a bit. |
|
|
|
