G string problems...

[Penno]

For the last four and a half years I've been in a blues band. Here's a studio track of a 1938 Blind Boy Fuller song called 'Pistol Slapper Blues'. The first 20 seconds is a bit of studio shenanigans by the guy who recorded us. Then the whole band kicks in. Being in the studio, we could lay down several guitar tracks, so the singer has a rhythm track, I have a rhythm track and I also put down an acoustic track on my Taylor 314. My electric tracks (includes outro solo) are with my Gibson Les Paul Junior.

I'll give it a listen on my lunch!

 

[Old Blue 2]

Have the same problem also with a Gibson LP (Standard 09 model, also left handed!) although I think it's more an intonation issue, which can be adjusted at the bridge saddles by moving the string groove either backwards or forwards depending if the note is low or high. I shouldn't really complain though, as i bought an Epiphone LP copy for my 16th birthday in 2005 and still to this day the G constantly goes out of tune and the further up the fretboard, the worse the intonation gets.
Played a left handed Fender Mexican strat not so long ago and had no problems with it so it could be a fault with the scale length on the neck of the Les Paul... anyway, hope that was of some help! Cheers

First thing to do is make sure the intonation is spot on. Don't use harmonics on the 12th fret, play the open string and then play the 12th fret. Another thing to do is make sure that when you fret the 12th fret for intonation purposes, that you use the normal pressure you use in playing. The reason for this is that you could use a light touch to set the intonation, and use a heavy touch while playing. The pressure you apply on each individual string pressed against the fret in normal playing can raise its pitch ever so slightly. It's called 'tuning to the attack' (in other words, how you 'attack' the strings).

Once you are satisified with the intonation, the next thing to do is make sure all of the strings are fully settled in and stable. This means you have to pull and stretch each one, re-tune up to pitch, and do the pulling and stretching again and again until you reach the point when you pull and stretch the string and it returns to pitch OK. You can still see live players re-tuning after every 2-3 songs. This tell me that they have not got their strings stable enough. Atmospheric conditions in the venue can play a small part, but the guitar(s) should have been well acclimatised before the gig started.

Also, check for any 'binding' in the nut. This is mainly on the top three strings. Bend the string above pitch as far as you can and let it return. If it does not return to pitch then it is likely binding in the nut (particularly if it stays slightly sharp). The string groove in the nut therefore needs to be widened - if you're not confident in doing it yourself, a competent luthier should be able to do this for you quite easily. You will definitely know when a string is binding in the nut groove when you hear the dreaded 'ping' as you bend the string!

Apologies for the long post, but I hope it helps you in some small way. Being an owl arse, I can bring 49 years of gigging experience to the table, and hope to help others with some of the knowledge I've acquired (from others) along the way! As Timothy Leary once said (about the only decent thing he ever said!): All part of the future, passed on from the past.

 

[TrixyStevens]

First thing to do is make sure the intonation is spot on. Don't use harmonics on the 12th fret, play the open string and then play the 12th fret. Another thing to do is make sure that when you fret the 12th fret for intonation purposes, that you use the normal pressure you use in playing. The reason for this is that you could use a light touch to set the intonation, and use a heavy touch while playing. The pressure you apply on each individual string pressed against the fret in normal playing can raise its pitch ever so slightly. It's called 'tuning to the attack' (in other words, how you 'attack' the strings).

Once you are satisified with the intonation, the next thing to do is make sure all of the strings are fully settled in and stable. This means you have to pull and stretch each one, re-tune up to pitch, and do the pulling and stretching again and again until you reach the point when you pull and stretch the string and it returns to pitch OK. You can still see live players re-tuning after every 2-3 songs. This tell me that they have not got their strings stable enough. Atmospheric conditions in the venue can play a small part, but the guitar(s) should have been well acclimatised before the gig started.

Also, check for any 'binding' in the nut. This is mainly on the top three strings. Bend the string above pitch as far as you can and let it return. If it does not return to pitch then it is likely binding in the nut (particularly if it stays slightly sharp). The string groove in the nut therefore needs to be widened - if you're not confident in doing it yourself, a competent luthier should be able to do this for you quite easily. You will definitely know when a string is binding in the nut groove when you hear the dreaded 'ping' as you bend the string!

Apologies for the long post, but I hope it helps you in some small way. Being an owl arse, I can bring 49 years of gigging experience to the table, and hope to help others with some of the knowledge I've acquired (from others) along the way! As Timothy Leary once said (about the only decent thing he ever said!): All part of the future, passed on from the past.

Cheers for the info, man. I would never rely on the harmonic as it's not a true representation of the fretted note. Even the slightest added pressure when fretting will give the note a higher pitch as you know. Usually when restringing I would give each string a few tugs (no pun intended) across the length of the neck just to take out any stresses and this usually keeps the strings in check when I go to bend during leads. Also I prefer .11s on the electrics, there tends to be less problems with tuning in standard A440 pitch.
As I said earlier the G will still give problems but it's not just a cross to bear for myself, everyone suffers with this!
I know there used to be a musician's thread so one like this is long overdue! Thanks again

 

[Old Blue 2]

Cheers for the info, man. I would never rely on the harmonic as it's not a true representation of the fretted note. Even the slightest added pressure when fretting will give the note a higher pitch as you know. Usually when restringing I would give each string a few tugs (no pun intended) across the length of the neck just to take out any stresses and this usually keeps the strings in check when I go to bend during leads. Also I prefer .11s on the electrics, there tends to be less problems with tuning in standard A440 pitch.
As I said earlier the G will still give problems but it's not just a cross to bear for myself, everyone suffers with this!
I know there used to be a musician's thread so one like this is long overdue! Thanks again

I forgot to mention that I always tune the 3rd and 6th strings down a few cents when doing a final tuning by ear (at home as well as at a gig). I think I mentioned this earlier in the thread. - (edit) yeah post #14, page 1.

 

[gianthogweed]

If the guitar is setup right and the intonation is set then there should not be a problem unless the guitar is boat paddle from China

 

[bigbadjeff]

read through the thread hoping for a reference to 'interesting' undergarments . . GOT losing its touch per chance ?

 

[Titus Bramble]

Had no idea! After my 10+ years of guitaring and silently fuming at my g string and I thought I had crap strings!

I tried to experiment changing the intonation on one of my old guitars which I don't use anymore but I couldn't really get any difference out of it. I don't want to change anything like that on my new iceman for fear of ruining it!