Why is this happening?

whatshername · Unread post by **whatshername** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:35 pm

So what I'm about to explain to you has been happening for the last few months. I tune my guitar with my tuner and it tunes perfectly. Then I go to put a capo on and the low E string sounds COMPLETELY out of tune and out of sync with whatever I'm trying to play that requires a capo. None of the other strings do it, just my low E. Then i'll take the capo off and check my tuning again...but apparently it's tuned fine. I make sure my capo isn't too tight or too loose..but it still happens. So basically my guitar is tuned perfectly until i put a capo on..and then my low E string sounds extremely out of tune. Removing the capo, it's still tuned fine. It's the most annoying thing ever. What's going on?

filmdude100cms · Unread post by **filmdude100cms** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:47 pm

bad innoation it sounds like... but f thats not it, just make sure your capo is moving the string around, maybe lift it up on the e string and let the string reset itself. hopefully thats it, cause bad innotation is just something sucky you have to deal with.

Kahn · Unread post by **Kahn** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:55 pm

Are you using the Kyser quick capo or whatever? If so, those things are not very good. Get a real capo that's not one of those "quick change" kinds and your problem should be solved.

i like tictacs · Unread post by **i like tictacs** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:06 pm

Whit, check the tuning up the neck. for example, hold down the fifth fret on the e string, it should be a perfect A. try the tenth fret, it should be a perfect D, then the 12th fret, that should be E. if any of these are sharp or flat, your intonation needs to be adjusted (at least for the e string) and that would be the cause of the capo issue.

Twostep13 · Unread post by **Twostep13** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:21 pm

what is intonation exactly?

whatshername · Unread post by **whatshername** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:56 pm

i like tictacs wrote:Whit, check the tuning up the neck. for example, hold down the fifth fret on the e string, it should be a perfect A. try the tenth fret, it should be a perfect D, then the 12th fret, that should be E. if any of these are sharp or flat, your intonation needs to be adjusted (at least for the e string) and that would be the cause of the capo issue.

thanks mike. they are all pretty sharp. so is this something that can be adjusted at a shop pretty quickly?

zenful · Unread post by **zenful** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 7:09 pm

whatshername wrote:
i like tictacs wrote:Whit, check the tuning up the neck. for example, hold down the fifth fret on the e string, it should be a perfect A. try the tenth fret, it should be a perfect D, then the 12th fret, that should be E. if any of these are sharp or flat, your intonation needs to be adjusted (at least for the e string) and that would be the cause of the capo issue.
thanks mike. they are all pretty sharp. so is this something that can be adjusted at a shop pretty quickly?

maybe, depends how warped your neck is. it might also be that the frets are are worn out

Appfro · Unread post by **Appfro** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 7:15 pm

i always had a problem cause i never put my capo on straight. if the top of the capo is near one fret and the other is closer to the other fret, it'll cause your strings to be out of tune. but if you're off doing what mike said, then that sounds like the real problem.

Appfro · Unread post by **Appfro** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 7:19 pm

Twostep13 wrote:what is intonation exactly?

i think it has something to do w/ distances between the 12th fret and your bridge and the nut.

from wikipedia so i might be wrong
Intonation, in music, is a player's realization of pitch accuracy in music to oneself and across an ensemble. If musicians have "bad intonation", it means they play or sing out of tune. Intonation can also mean tuning.
[edit]

Strings

In string instruments, intontation is more of a worry than in other instruments. Because most string instruments are unfretted, if a finger is too high or too low by even a fraction of an inch, the note will be out of tune. The process of gaining good intonation typically takes many years of playing to acquire and is arguably the hardest part of learning a stringed instrument.

Easy E · Unread post by **Easy E** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 7:31 pm

hahah, you said nut

Appfro · Unread post by **Appfro** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 7:35 pm

whatshername · Unread post by **whatshername** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:07 pm

thanks everyone. i'm hoping it's not that the frets are worn down..i really hope it's just intonation. maybe i should just tell my parents i need a new guitar... :evil:

MUAHAHAHAH

Kahn · Unread post by **Kahn** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:36 pm

Kahn wrote:Are you using the Kyser quick capo or whatever? If so, those things are not very good. Get a real capo that's not one of those "quick change" kinds and your problem should be solved.

whatshername · Unread post by **whatshername** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:38 am

Kahn wrote:
Kahn wrote:Are you using the Kyser quick capo or whatever? If so, those things are not very good. Get a real capo that's not one of those "quick change" kinds and your problem should be solved.

no, i'm not. i use this:

ftp://ftp.sonic.net/pub/users/shubb/S1_300.jpg

Kahn · Unread post by **Kahn** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:42 am

hmmmmmm

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