SonofSkywalker 0 Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 Hi I'm having a problem with my J-35 .... when I tune the high E string with a tuner, the tuner says it's in tune but the string is way sharp so I always have to tune it down to pitch by ear. It's only started doing this lately and I can't really work out why... The only change I've made is to D'Addario 12's strings instead of using Elixir HD Lights Would changing string type and gauge make a tuning problem occur ? I'm thinking of taking it in to see the guitar tech at my local store to see what he thinks the problem is I'm still loving my J-35 the top is starting to darken now and the guitar seems to be starting to open up tone wise, it's my favourite guitar and it's getting played everyday. I have been considering getting the tech to fit a bone saddle and pins, I was thinking about changing the pickup to a Baggs lyric but the tech suggested me trying a Baggs Para DI first Any input would be great thanks guys Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rich 1 Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 Hi, I had a similar problem and it was driving me nuts. The problem ended up being my clip on tuner. I bought a new one and haven't had a problem since. Rich Quote Link to post Share on other sites
duluthdan 84 Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 Tuners lie. I have to detune both my B and E strings on both of my guitars from what the little clip-ons indicate. I think the green light technology that says you are right on, is subject to a wee bit of human interpretation. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SonofSkywalker 0 Posted January 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 I'm beginning to think that too Dan... The tuner I use is a snark clip on but it's strange it seems spot on when I use it on my Taylor 322e Maybe it's taken a dislike to my J-35 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pittgibson45 4 Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 Is it the same tuner you were using before you changed the strings? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SonofSkywalker 0 Posted January 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 Is it the same tuner you were using before you changed the strings? Yeah it's the same one Quote Link to post Share on other sites
62burst 144 Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 May be more a tuner tuning issue than a J-35 tuning issue. Some clip-on tuners don't pick up the low E very well; if that is happening, try clipping it between the 5th & 6th string tuners to pick up vibrations better. Also- batteries dwindling will not pick up well, especially on a larger guitar like the J-35, compared to a smaller or punchier guitar like your Taylor 322e. Did you ever try squeezing the clip on part of the tuner a bit while tuning uncooperative strings? ..this usually helps. Hitting the 12th fret harmonic often yields a fairly true signal, too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
milod 665 Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 As an overall backup that is "free," if you have a "smart phone," download the free tuner app from Martin's web site. It gives a tone or a cute little dial that sez if you're in tune or not. As a onetime pitchpipe user before "tuners" were were invented, I have a tendency if it ain't loud around me just to use the tone on my Samsung Android. it comes for the iphone too... m Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fortyearspickn 438 Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 Yes, I've settled into using the free app I have on my Samsung Android as well. Gave my tuner to a friend. One less electronic device and battery replacement to worry about. I find it very accurate. Though it sometimes takes a few plucks, especially on low E. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wee Davy 9 Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 As an overall backup that is "free," if you have a "smart phone," download the free tuner app from Martin's web site. It gives a tone or a cute little dial that sez if you're in tune or not. As a onetime pitchpipe user before "tuners" were were invented, I have a tendency if it ain't loud around me just to use the tone on my Samsung Android. it comes for the iphone too... m Another vote for pitch pipes from me. Still use them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlejohnny 13 Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 Hi there, I had an similar issue with my H-Bird lately. After a string change the guitar was kind of untunable. I changed the saddle, adjusted the truss rod, tried nut sauce on the nut and the bridge. (I usually only use nut sauce on my bigsby equipped electric). I was almost ready to take it to a tech, but then I decided to change the strings again. Turned out the set I used before was bad. New strings (and well yeah, a different brand this time) and all my tuning issues were gone. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Boyd 77 Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 I see this too sometimes on all my guitars. I have a Peterson Strobo-clip tuner that I like much more than the Snark. But I just use the tuner to get "into the ballpark". I then play a bunch of chords and fine tune to my taste. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DRC 0 Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 Over the years regarding tuning, I've discovered I have to learn each guitar's quirks and personality in order to optimize tuning. No guitar is the same and as a result I have to tune each one just a bit differently but nearly always very slightly detune the high E & B a couple cents. And it's even more critical for me since I play in DADGAD and the high strings are tuned lower to begin with. On one guitar, I'll tune using octaves; on another I'll use both octaves and 5ths; on another I'll use harmonics to achieve the most accurate tuning for THAT guitar. I've not had any tuning issues with my J-35 but still tune the high A & D about 2 cents lower, along with the low D. When capoing, I place the capo directly on the fret (like Tony Rice and many others) which avoids any string stretch and pulling the strings sharp. I never have to retune when using a capo. So it's important to learn each guitar's tuning quirks and what works best for each guitar. As johnny mentioned, it's possible to get a bad set of strings. I've had two sets of Adamas 1818 where the bass string was about 5 cents sharp when fretting that string or on the 12th fret harmonic. Drove me nuts. Switched the Adamas 6th with a Martin M540 6th and intonation was perfect. Also, it's possible for a nut slot to be cut incorrectly, allowing the string to rest at a point just ahead of the front edge of the nut, which changes the scale length. As a result, when that sting is correctly tuned open using a tuner, when fretted, the intonation will be off. DC Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dickie 0 Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 Tuning can certainly be a bit hit and miss now and again, but my Snark seems to do a great job with my J45 custom with Masterbuilt strings :) However this guy is sure we are all doing it wrong... http://youtu.be/8tfxy_zs0Mo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
j45nick 468 Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 Tuning can certainly be a bit hit and miss now and again, but my Snark seems to do a great job with my J45 custom with Masterbuilt strings :) However this guy is sure we are all doing it wrong... http://youtu.be/8tfxy_zs0Mo I wimped out and watched the 10-minute version of his tuning video. I actually found it useful. Not sure I could have sat through an hour on tuning, however. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pittgibson45 4 Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 Yeah it's the same one I would guess it is the strings that is the problem then Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SonofSkywalker 0 Posted February 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Thanks for all the advice guys it's really appreciated I think I'll change the strings for a new set. I've downloaded a iPhone tuning app now and have noticed it differs slightly from the snark clip on I'll report back once I've changed out the strings Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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