Straight up or otherwise

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 14 Jun 2008 9:11 pm

To answer the question...

I tune otherwise.

Gary Carriger · Post by **Gary Carriger** » 15 Jun 2008 8:48 am

Have tried to tune "straight up", but reverted to tuning by ear (after getting a E from an electronic tuner). In deference to my guitar's cabinet drop, I split the difference on the 4th string (E)....from pedals down to no pedals.

Put me in the otherwise category.

Gary

Roger Edgington · Post by **Roger Edgington** » 16 Jun 2008 6:29 am

I pretty much tune straight up, but I have to flat the thirds a little. Probably by the time I sweeten things a bit I'm nowhere close to 440.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 16 Jun 2008 6:32 am

I tuned the E's 440 with the AB pedals down, tuned the beats out on the rest of the guitar, then entered the settings into my Stroboflip. Now I just go to "T-1" and check my tuning. Great innovation, the Peterson tuner.

Carroll Hale · Post by **Carroll Hale** » 16 Jun 2008 8:20 am

Pete Cormier wrote:I'M JUST A BEGINNER,SO WHAT IS STRAIGHT UP.I TUNE
MY STEEL TO -G- TUNING AT 440 ALL STRINGS,THEN DO THE
PEDALS.---AM I DOING IT CORRECTLY.
PETE

hey..pete,good question...no offense... but,.. glad I am not the only dummy out here who does not understand "straight up" tuning......I use the standard tuner for reg 6 string....is that ok..

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 16 Jun 2008 8:32 am

I tune straight up, when I started playing, I didn't know there was any other way. (And I DON'T play out of tune, Finis.)

Pete Cormier · Post by **Pete Cormier** » 16 Jun 2008 9:11 am

CARROLL
There are many terms used on this great forum that
I still don't follow. But I wish someone would take the time a explain ''straight up''.

Pete

Twayn Williams · Post by **Twayn Williams** » 16 Jun 2008 9:25 am

Pete Cormier wrote:CARROLL
There are many terms used on this great forum that
I still don't follow. But I wish someone would take the time a explain ''straight up''.

Pete

This means tuning each sting with a chromatic tuner, the overall setting of the tuner being at A-440, like you might tune a 6-string guitar. Straight-up equal temperament tuning.

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 16 Jun 2008 9:34 am

what does it means to "tune out the beats"?
Im guessing this is pitch "oscillation" that occurs when two strings are close but not exactly in tune thats being refered to? Like tuning a regular guitar by using the harmonincs? is this irght?

anyway straight up for me, not because I think its better or sounds good...but because thats all I know.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 16 Jun 2008 5:46 pm

Ben Jones wrote:what does it means to "tune out the beats"?
Im guessing this is pitch "oscillation" that occurs when two strings are close but not exactly in tune thats being refered to? Like tuning a regular guitar by using the harmonincs? is this irght?

Yes. You know that from tuning unisons on t 12 string guitar or mandolin.
But the same thing happens when you hear two different pitches, IF a harmonic of one pitch are close to a harmonic or fundamental of the other pitch. Harmonics are multiples of the fundamental. (The are actually a little bit off, which is called inharmonicity, leading to stretched octaves, but let us save that for lesson 2.)

The simplest example of using harmonics is tuning the octaves on a 12 string guitar. In that case the fundamental of one string beats against the second partial of the other. For example the A strings are at 110 Hz and 220 Hz. The low A has a component that is vibrating at 220, and you hear it beat when the octave is not perfect.

Then you can use harmonics to tune other intervals, but if you do that and tune the beats out, they will be Just, not Equally Tempered.
Here is what I posted in another thread recently about that so you can see the numbers:

The beat rate is the difference between 2 frequencies. If the two notes in an interval have partials (harmonics) that are close in frequency, you will hear a beat at the rate of the difference.

For example the A string on a 6-string guitar vibrates at a fundamental frequency of 110 Hz (2 octaves below A=440). At the same time it is also vibrating at 220, 330, 440, 550, 660, 770, etc. The closer you pick to the bridge, the more of the high partials you hear.

The Equal Tempered E note a twelfth above the open A string has a frequency of 329.63 Hz. So if you play the two together, you will hear a beat of 330 - 329.63 = 0.37 Hz. You can tune the beat out, slowing it down to 0, by raising the pitch of E up to 330 Hz. That is called Just Intonation.

Similarly the Equal tempered C# note two octaves and a major 3rd above that A string had a frequency of 554.37 Hz. When you play the A and C# together, you therefore hear a beat of 4.37 Hz. Notice this is a lot faster than the beating of ET fifths. That is why ET fifths sound more in tune than ET thirds. If you lower the pitch of C# from 554.37 to 550, the beat will slow down to 0. Again, that is Just Intonation.

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 16 Jun 2008 6:52 pm

Ahem.....

Straight up. All strings, All changes.

EJL

Stuart Legg · Post by **Stuart Legg** » 16 Jun 2008 7:22 pm

Bo tunes 10 strings E9 strait up in each chord the pedal and levers produce and allows only for cabinet drop. Each of his steels vary in cabinet drop.
Open E chord , open A chord, open C# chord, open B6 chord, open F# minor and etc.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 16 Jun 2008 7:23 pm

i've found that if you don't tune, no one can accuse you of 'how' you tune!