How to Keep Your Guitar in Tune

1. Dirty String Syndrome

• Whatever you do to improve your instrument's intonation, first make sure it is done with new strings;
• Rusty, oxidized, or dirty strings will NOT stay in tune;
• If your hands sweat and your sweat is especially corrosive, you may have to change your strings more often;
• Wiping the strings with a lint-free cloth after playing can help prolong string life;
• Avoid liquids and solvents.

2. Frets, Action, & Pickups

• Take a look at your guitar's frets - playing on high frets is sort of like playing a scalloped neck;
• Most players prefer low action (the distance from the strings to the frets) for ease of playing, but if you prefer higher action for its tonal properties & ease of string bending, you may have to compensate for the added distance you are pushing the string;
• Adjusting the pickups toward the strings increases output and reduces high end;
• Moving the pickups away reduces output and increases high-end response.

3. Staying in Tune

• The most common assumption when the guitar won't stay in tune is that the tuners are slipping; but 99.9% of the time it is wrong;
• The most common reason guitars go out of tune is due to the strings;
• When putting on new strings, the windings around the tuners should be tightened by pulling the string until it no longer goes flat when pulled.

4. Nuts & Tremolo Trouble

• Strings often get caught in the nut; A properly cut nut will go a long way toward preventing this;
• Proper nut lubing helps a lot (rubbing a pencil over it to get some graphite dust in the slots can help lubricate it);
• Whammy bars bring a whole new set of tuning problems into the picture;
• Double-locking systems (such as the Floyd Rose) stay in tune because the strings are locked at the nut and at the saddle;
• Locking tuners (such as Sperzels) eliminate the need for string windings around the tuner's post, so when tension is released by dropping the trem arm, there are no windings to re-tighten.

5. Playing in Tune

• It is a fact that guitars don't play perfectly in tune - they are only relatively in tune;
• Learning to make minor adjustments with finger pressure and slight string bends should be developed;
• It is said that other people picked up Jimi Hendrix's guitar and found it out of tune - right after Jimi had just finished playing and sounding perfectly in pitch!
• In other words, how you play would affect your tuning;

With all this said and done, always keep your electronic tuner handy and full of fresh batteries!
Happy playing!!

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