Poor quality guitars that don't tune

Question

So since I got it at a discount price, I noticed this Yamaha I have won't tune properly. Specifically if I tune the strings to a perfect EADGBE (using a good digital tuner), then I cross check the strings with each other (5th fret -> open), some of the notes don't match up very well.

The biggest problem is when I play the 4th fret on the G string, the B produced there on that G string is too high, its still a B but its at the high end of the B range on the digital tuner.

You have 4 options:

• Play with each string tuned so they are correct when open (digital tuner)
• Open tune, then adjust so "cross tune" matches (this seems to sound the best, but some chords are off)
• Fix it somehow? (Is this possible?)
• Throw the guitar out

Answer 1

Whenever I come across a problem like this, I check the intonation. Tune up the guitar to perfect pitch (according to the tuner) and then, on each string, hit the 12th fret harmonic, listen, then play the 12th fret note. If there is any difference in the two, then your intonation is out, which will affect the ability to tune the guitar correctly, and mean the guitar will not be in tune with itself.

The G and B strings are usually the worst culprits when it comes to intonation, particularly in my experience.

Because you got the guitar cheaply, the factory setup is probably extremely poor/ non-existent. My suggestion would be to take it to a guitar luthier who will set the instrument up for you. He will fix any problems on the action, nut, neck, truss rod, and bridge piece that will be affecting how the instrument sounds/tunes. Full setups can be expensive, but nearly always a very good quality job is done, and is worth it.

If you do not want to do this, or have to wait a while and still want to play, my suggestion would be to tune the low E string according to the tuner so it is dead on, and then 'cross tune' up to the top E string.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

These problems can also be caused by strings that are wound badly on the tuning posts. Try changing the strings (which might help all on its own, as Bill has pointed out) and take care to wind the new strings on the posts correctly. (Essentially, get enough string wound neatly on the post to create enough friction to keep the string from slipping.)

Answer 3

I often find bad tuning problems come from bad strings. These can throw up issues in weird places—so even if the open strings are ok, they can affect the fretted notes. Try changing the strings and giving it another go.