[raewyn]

Whenever I play my sons guitar the b string tightens within the first few seconds and ends up more than a full tone higher than what I've just tuned it to. Has anyone else struck this problem and are there any suggestions as to what I can do about it. I've heard of strings loosening during playing and sounding lower but never higher. Is this guitar haunted?????

[Graeme! Yes, Graeme!]

It goes higher? Well, that's a new one on me. One thing I can think of is that possibly the string was tuned too high originally (I mean before you put it in tune). On one of my own songs I use a DADADD tuning, so the G and B strings are both tuned higher than normal. Sometimes after I have adjuested back to standard tuning the strings have a tendency to go sharp. Perhaps it's something like that, but it's never gone a full tone higher.

I suggest changing the strings, and making sure you do a good job of it. It's a rather strange problem you have.

[dadfad]

Only thing I can possibly think of is that it might start to "fret out". Actually resting on another fret other than the one you are fingering at the time (or some other point-of-contact variable on the string). You said it does it after you start playing? In other words, it's tuned okay, then you play it for a few minutes and it goes sharp? What happens if you then re-tune it again? Is this a classical guitar or a steel-string?

[raewyn]

It's a 3/4 size classical with nylon strings. I tune it to mine and it sounds fine, then play and within 1/2 dozen notes it goes high again. Re-tune it, play it and off it goes again. I thought it was something I was doing so I got my brother-in-law who is a good guitarist (unlike me who just puddles about) to have a go. He's completely mystified. I might have to get it restrung like Graeme suggested but I'll take it to the shop and get them to check it out.

[OSUBuckeye]

What kind of guitar is it? My little sister has an Excel acoustic and she had the same problems, her B string and E sring did the same thing...its a 3/4 size...I just bought her new strings and it fixed the problem...maybe you should try that...good luck anyways!

[dadfad]

What kind of guitar is it? My little sister has an Excel acoustic and she had the same problems, her B string and E sring did the same thing...its a 3/4 size...I just bought her new strings and it fixed the problem...maybe you should try that...good luck anyways!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, as you described it, it could probably only be the string (or the stringing of that string). It either slips or stretches.

[raewyn]

Cheers guys - I'll take it in and get it sorted over the holidays.

Hope you and yours have a great Christmas!!!

[raewyn]

Well, today I dragged my kids into town to the music shop to buy a new B string and would you believe it, got the guitar out, played the heck out of it to make sure the string was still playing up and it seems fine today. Oh well, at least I now have a spare.

Of course you cant go to the music shop and only buy what you went in for though!! I also came out with an digital tuner for $NZ30 (about $20 US I think) which is the best little gadget I've come across. Now I don't have to avoid songs with alternate tunings!!

[dadfad]

I'm glad the problem is solved. I guess it just needed to stretch to its capacity or for the winding to completely tighten. You're right about going into a guitar shop. Always leave most of your cash (and especially all credit cards!) at home!

[Graeme! Yes, Graeme!]

Last time I went into my facorite music shop in Cardiff I left with a harmonica. I went in to look at the percussion section to see if they had any good deals on bongos

[sunday_girl]

Hi all ,
Hope you all had a nice christmas I did,
This problem with the nylon acoustic, its something I've seen quite a lot over the past two years.
My kids friends have wanted to learn to play bought nylon acoustics and brought then to me to tune them.
And they have been nightmares to tune, get them in tune and two mins later they have gone flat or sharp.
Anyway i discovered that if i tuned then in as near as possible and then left them over night they would stay in tune.
prehaps its something about those types of guitar.

ps what music shop in cardiff is your favourite graham? i know all the ones in Swansea?. have to go up and have a browse

Rachel

[jskryguitar]

[quote=raewyn,Dec 21 2004, 04:27 AM]
Whenever I play my sons guitar the b string tightens within the first few seconds and ends up more than a full tone higher than what I've just tuned it to. Has anyone else struck this problem and are there any suggestions as to what I can do about it. I've heard of strings loosening during playing and sounding lower but never higher. Is this guitar haunted?????

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[/quote


I've never heard of the string raising its pitch during play but when you get to that string when tuning, kind of pull on and bend it a little. Sometimes the string can get caught in the nut groove and cause the string to drop in pitch during play. If that doesnt work try getting new strings and make sure its done right.

[jskryguitar]

to be honest ive never had this problem. sounds very strange.


sunday girl whats swanny like? i meant to be visiting a mate there in the new year.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Soccer kicks ass!!!!!!!!!!