My Strat is a year old and I have this frustrating tuning problem. It doesn't matter if I use my Korg tuner, tones from a tuning program, or whatever to tune it. If I'm playing the old standard chords (E, C, G, D) it seems like it's out of tune. If I play Barr chords, it's in tune. The culprits seem to be the G and B strings. Is this a neck problem, bridge problem, hearing problem, mental problem or what?

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September 18th, 1970
There were none better before him.
There have been none better since.

How old are the strings? Old strings that have been played on a lot will start to lose their intonation.

Could be strings and/or the intonation. If the strings are old change them. In any case, check and set the intonation as well.

Intonation



CC

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Yup. Adjust the bridge saddles so harmonic at 12th fret sounds same as fretted note at 12th fret.

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If your Strat is over a year old it should have had a minimum of 3 complete setups if you are using the same gauge strings every string change.
Depending on often and long you play it should have had a minimum of 4 string changes.

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Thanks everyone. In answers to the questions; my Strat was purchased new. It's an black American Standard H/S/S converted to Hot Noiseless. I only get to play maybe an hour a week. It's always kept in it's case when not in use. I've never played with the bridge or saddles. I change my strings every three months always using 9's. It was only set up once (initially at purchase) by the Fender dealer I bought it from. He's 50 miles away and with family issues this year I haven't been able to get back there for a checkup. I have a guitar dealer about a mile away but he refuses to carry Fender equipment so I don't trust him with my Strat.

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September 18th, 1970
There were none better before him.
There have been none better since.

What rule book is all that stated in?

The guitar probably needs an intonation tweak as has been mentioned.

Thanks. I'll try that. Since I've never done it before, do you attempt to get it in tune before you adjust the saddles or doesn't it matter?

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September 18th, 1970
There were none better before him.
There have been none better since.

There's plenty of web based instruction and books on how to set up your guitar. Study up first to be sure you have the correct equipment then don't be affraid to make some moves. you'll be surprised at how easy it is.

Does there need to be a rule book for this? I look at it as common sense and my experience.

Wood is affected by weather, there are 4 seasons although weather changes in some areas is more like 2. Spring and Fall are the most drastic so that is when the wood will be affected more. Thus 2 complete setups per year. Plus the setup the Guitar Shop should put on a new guitar. Equals 3 complete setups in just over 1 year.

As for strings, after trying out many many different brands and gauges of strings I have never had a set last 3 months and still sound good. Even if I don't play a particular guitar very often I change the strings every 3 months. Many of the Guitar players I know change their strings several times a month.

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Chet, It really does depend on where you live. I live in Pa. The weather here has been nuts. Cold, hot, wet you name it. We just had nine straight days of rain the other week. It does effect your instruments. A little tweak here a little tweak there. I Arizona, it would probably be different. Prolux disagrees with people even more than I do. Your figures are not that unrealistic depending on how picky you are and how much and where you play.

That's why I said a minimum of setups or string changes. If I lived in a different climate I would be doing complete setups more often. With that being said, Personally I check my setup EVERY string change.

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

This is true, about different weather. But I would think Chet's 2 times a year(setup at purchase is ground zero, then one every six months,) is pretty much a minimum.

More drastic weather, to me means more often setting up, the more you play the more often it will need adjustment too. aside from weather affecting the wood and metal, the vibrating, and the percussive actions of you playing mean any parts that can move (read adjustment screws,) will in fact move.

I check over my setup every time I change strings, and make any minor adjustments, but i do a full set up ever 3 months, as we have 4 really distinct seasons. I think I got into this habit when I played in bands, as my guitars were always in action they needed a lot more care to stay in shape.

Don't underestimate the amount of benefit you will get from spending a small amount of time every few months setting up your guitar. Fret buzz? What's that? Tuning problems? What are they? You'll forget about them, because you won't have them. Your favorite axe will be even better if you learn how to maintain it properly. (not saying supro doesn't or doesn't know how,I only quoted him because of the weather reference. I just get carried away when I talk about the importance of a well set up guitar, I mean you wouldn't go out driving on bald tires that need a wheel alignment, and expect your car to travel in a straight line when you let go of the wheel would you?)

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

Yes, you need to tune first.

Change your strings, stretch them out and then procede.

You will need to tune, adjust intonation and tune again. If this is your first time, it will take a a while. After some practice, you will become very proficient though.

Best of luck. We are here to support you if you need it.

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