SG Standard - G string tuning issue

[aj_ky]

I have a Gibson SG Standard with an issue with the G string. Ever since I had the guitar a D chord would always sound off. Everytime I checked the tuning, all strings would be in tune. If I held down the 2nd fret on the G string, it would show an A but it wouldn't be no where near in tune. If I tighten up the G string so that the 2nd fret G string shows an in tune A, the D chord sounds as it should. I checked the intonation (12th fret) and the G note came in perfect. It seems that the 1st 3 or 4 frets are out (just on the G string) and the rest are as they should be.

 

Not sure what else it could be. Let me know if anyone has any suggestions before taking it to the shop.

 

Thanks.

[Versatile]

There are frequent issues on many guitars with G string fretting etc...

 

Personally I live with it...

 

One could try to change things like nut groove height

 

But unless open D chords are essential often

 

Play on !!

 

V

 

[aj_ky]

Hard to live with a D chord sounding way out of tune on a $1000 guitar... I can go pick up a $40 used fender squirer and you won't have an issue with the d chord.

 

 

Does anyone think the size of the strings could be an issue? Currently I am using 10's, but wasn't sure what the stock strings are on an SG.

 

I will try messing with the nut height. Thanks again

[Versatile]

Do we assume this is a new guitar?

 

Some dealers sell guitars untouched 'out of the box'...others take time setting up to a customer's requirements

 

Gibsons and Fenders have different ergonomics, feel etc...the Fenders are generally lower set from nut to bridge

 

SG's generally come with 10's...I use a great SG copy from Gordon Smith which came with 9's

 

Many players use their new guitars for some months before taking to a tech for a tweak and set-up...

 

V

 

[kidblast]

your nut is improperly cut. If you can find a setup person, have them take a look at it.

 

if you cannot find someone, check out youtube, for example:

 

the vid is for a strat, but it's not relevant to the model of the guitar, this has to do with the distance the strings are over the first two frets in relation to the way the nut slots are cut

[aj_ky]

Thanks for the replies Versatile and kidblast. I will look into the nut settings and let you know if that works.

 

Thanks again.

[charlie brown]

Two things....nut slot, and/or fingering pressure, might be the culprit. ???

Are you "heavy handed" in your fretting? That can make chords, or individual

notes within the chord go "sharp" or out of tune, that way. It's especially

true, with the unwound strings! You could try a wound G version, as well.

 

Good Luck!

 

CB

[dbrian66]

I have the same problem with my SG. I play at church and have to use an open D all the time. I researched it online and it seems to be fairly commen on the SG's. What CB said about the finger pressure is true. If you get yourself used to being lighter on the G string the chord comes out OK. Good Luck !

[EVOL!]

What are you using to check the intonation on that guitar: your ears, a floor tuner, or something with finer measurements? I use a Peterson tuner that is accurate down to 1/1000 Semitone when I intonate my guitars. Excessive? Maybe, but the guitar comes out perfect every time.

 

If the above does not apply, my guess is that the nut is not cut correctly.

[John Rutherford]

How would a dodgy nut groove affect the ability of a string to be in tune played open or at the 12th fret ?

I think we overly complicate the job of the nut, it's only a simple piece of bone with grooves that space the strings evenly

 

BTW Is it any easier to tune with a capo on the 1st fret ?

 

If we trust Gibson to place the frets in the right place [ which we do ] then it can only be

a matter of adjusting the length of the G string from nut to saddle i.e. the intonation.

[charlie brown]

And, don't rely on electronic tuners, exclusively. Try the harmonics approach.

Often my tuner will say everything is OK...and when I strum a chord, it's NOT!

So, get it in the ball park, with the tuner, and fine tune it, with harmonics.

(Provided your intonation is spot on!) That being said, I can tell you, for a

fact, that (in my experience) "G" strings (especially, the unwound variety), are

a lot more problematic, tuning wise, than all the other strings, combined. Why???

Who knows?!! But, everyone I know, has the same complaint, more often than not.

 

 

CB

[John Rutherford]

I must say that Electronic tuners are great for checking intonation, I can easily tune a guitar by ear but I doubt my hearing can equal the accuracy

of electronics when taking about fractions of a micro-cycle Hertz thingy.

[charlie brown]

I must say that Electronic tuners are great for checking intonation, I can easily tune a guitar by ear but I doubt my hearing can equal the accuracy

of electronics when taking about fractions of a micro-cycle Hertz thingy.

 

Never said they weren't. Just that strings often don't "settle" on the most accurate

tuning, or settle down, at all. They may be old, or even somewhat inconsistent, so as

to vacillate +/- accurate pitch, and never really settle down, to the kind of accuracy

that a tuner IS capable of. In those cases, it's good be able to use harmonics, or how

to hear string vibrations come into sync, with the lower and higher stings, to achieve

the best overall balance/compromise. Just another tool...not an absolute.

 

CB

[guitarzan13]

I am also thinking too much pressure or a high nut slot causing you this issue.

[Rock N Roll]

I don't know about this being a common problem on SGs. Mine is an 06 bought used off ebay. It plays an open D just fine. It is one of the best playing guitars I've ever owned.

[Bender 4 Life]

Two things....nut slot, and/or fingering pressure, might be the culprit. ???

Are you "heavy handed" in your fretting? That can make chords, or individual

notes within the chord go "sharp" or out of tune, that way. It's especially

true, with the unwound strings! You could try a wound G version, as well.

 

Good Luck!

 

CB

 

i'm terribly heavy-handed and my G & B sound terrible unless I watch myself.

good call CB !

[charlie brown]

i'm terribly heavy-handed and my G & B sound terrible unless I watch myself.

good call CB !

 

I learned by experience, too, Bender. LOL Maybe it came from my early

learning experience, on a cheap acoustic, that had terrible "action?"

 

CB

[bluezguy]

I've been playing Gibson electrics since 1968. I've just gotten used to it. It was the same then as it is today ... WTF??? It sucks when you have to learn to regulate the 'squeeze' factor when doing open chords. Nowadays, for me, my Firebird V, SG Standard and my LP Standard, ALL do the same. I will tell you though; in my 40 years of this music business, the only Gibson that DID NOT have this problem is the ES335. I've had 3 - the newest - a 2006, frets perfectly.

 

Good luck.