In guitar tuning, a temperament is a tuning system that slightly
bends to find middle ground to the pure intervals of pure intonation.
Most modern musical instruments are tuned in the equal temperament
system. So “perfect tuning” is a search never mastered. It’s an ideal
never realized in guitar tuning.
Trussrod view relax and tighten for better action and intonation
“Temperament, in music, the accommodation or adjustment of the
imperfect sounds by transferring a part of their defects to the more
perfect ones, in order to remedy, in some degree, the false intervals of
those instruments, the sounds of which are fixed; as the organ,
harpsichord, piano-forte, etc. Temperament is what the Italians call participatione, or system temperato,
because it is founded on temperature; that is, on the diminution of
some intervals and augmentation of others, by which it partakes of the diatonic and chromatic systems.” according to Wiki Musical temperament notes.
Perfect Guitar Tuning
Can
perfect guitar tuning be achieved? Sorry, it cannot. But we can get
very close. It is impossible to place the frets on the guitar so that
all notes on the instrument will be perfectly in tune in every key —
simply impossible, because of the way tuning works. However in the shop,
when building and setting up guitars, we take all of this into
consideration.
Proper intonation is what makes a guitar’s strings
play in tune as you fret different notes on the fret board. If the 12th
fret note is flat or sharp, your intonation is off. On most electric
guitars you can adjust the intonation for each string individually at
the bridge with each saddle.
A fret notched straightedge for guitar neck being checked for string buzz, action and intonation in The Haywire Custom Shop
Very often, the strings are too high at the nut. As with the action when it is too high, chords will be very difficult to play, particularly near the nut. Normally, the strings at the nut should barely be higher than the height of a fret.
Locking tuners just make string changes faster and have a cleaner look. Locking tuners do nothing for tuning stability.
Anyone who says they do doesn’t know how to properly wind a string
around a traditional tuning peg. What they will do is take a well
balanced guitar and make the neck nose dive from the huge extra weight
added. Is that what you had in mind?
12-Tone Equal Temperament
12-Tone
Equal Temperament guitar tuning is difficult. This is the musical scale
which “ordinary” guitars are constructed for – in theory. In reality,
the best that can be achieved is a close approximation to Equal Temper.
How
do we solve the problem of imperfect guitar tuning? We set the guitar
up properly, cut the nut slots just right, radius the strings to the
neck. Then we set the action low, lubricate all friction points, set the
intonation at the saddles correctly. In addition, and get the action
very low, check again to make sure the truss rod is set perfectly.
Lastly we tune the guitar with an accurate digital tuner to get to notes
dialed in perfectly.
Rick Mariner Mr.
Rick Mariner Owner and Founder and CEO of Haywire Custom Guitars Inc.
He is a member of The Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
(A.S.I.A.) as well as a guitar player. Rick holds a bachelors degree
from University of Md. and a Masters degree from George Washington
University. Rick developed his exclusive 8 – Point “Gig- Ready” guitar
process that allows for Custom Guitars that are “GIG-READY”. With Rick’s
many years of development and guitar set-up experience, Haywire Guitar
shop “Builds satisfied players… one Haywire guitar at a time”.
There’s nothing more aggravating than guitar string buzz makes noises it shouldn’t. An issue that comes up often is subject of guitar string buzz. It’s a problem that happens often to players. What is it?
String buzz is caused when a string strikes against the top of a
fret. It creates a buzzing sound. There are a few reasons why this
occurs from the strings on your guitar: 1. Are you playing the note in the right place?
Watch your technique. See if you’re fretting notes at the
right spot behind the fret. If your fingers are too far behind your frets then you’ll
hear some unwanted buzzing. 2. Are you striking your strings too hard?
Don’t be rough but be firm with your instrument. If you hit the
strings too hard when strumming, it can cause the strings to vibrate up
and down too much (as opposed to side to side), increasing the chance of
string buzz.
Apply proper finger pressure
3. Do you apply the proper amount of pressure to the string when fretting your notes?
Make good contact with the frets with the tips of your fingers.
Again-this is a technique issue. Are you playing sloppily or clean?
Finger strength is important. Are you having trouble playing barre
chords? Strengthen your fingers. How? Play more and
practice details such as clearly articulating each and every note.
Maintain good string contact with the top of each fret. 4. Are the guitar strings too light for your technique?
Look at any new changes in your guitar strings. Have you changed the
gauge? If so, this will cause a different tension when tuned up and
therefore cause you to have to change your attack. If you cannot adjust
then string buzz will occur.
5. Is your guitar new? Has it been properly set-up? Does it have the gauge of string that you normally use? Is the action too low?
With low action comes a trade-off. Super-low action can cause a sring
buzz. However, if you can live with it-it is so much easier to play.
Not all buzz will translate through an amplifier. So, if slight buzzing
occurs when un-amplified, ignore it when plugged in, because you’ll
never hear it anyway. 6. Is your guitar is set up properly?
Taking it to a guitar tech can help a lot. Get it set up right.
Uneven frets or humped neck
7. Can the buzzing is caused by uneven frets, an over-bowed or humped neck?
A good guitar tech can tell. He’ll level the frets,
straighten the neck and get it right for you. 8. Are the tuner bushings loose?
If so you’ll clearly hear a good amount of buzzing and
rattles that can be hard to pinpoint. Check and see if they are tight. 9. Does the string buzz occur when the note is played on and open string?
This will occur when a string “nut” slot is cut incorrectly. It can
be fixed by a competent luthier or guitar tech. It sounds much like a
“Sitar” effect when the open note is played.
When selecting parts for your your guitar build, what are your real
choices? The very basic ones are: light or heavy wood, painted or
natural? So far easy ones. Furthermore, single coil or Humbuckers, no
rocket science here. Then still more choices, master volume & tone
or individual, 21 or 22 frets, Rosewood or maple neck, high or low
action? Why then do guitarists argue so much over guitars and how to
build them?
Good question. Go over to a guitar forum sometime and look at the
ridiculous things guitar players say are important in a guitar build.
Screw patterns? $400 bridges? $700 inlay? Really? Most forum members
have no idea what they are talking about. It makes me cringe
when I hear them giving advice to each other. They all have an agenda
and want to be heard. Sure, but they’re all experts right? No way, sorry
guys-keep your advice to yourselves. You’ll never get serious advice on
a forum, just speculation. So, ignore them.
your guitar build need not be expensive
Parts in your new guitar need only be quality. What am I
really saying? Unfortunately, and I know this will be terribly sad news,
so brace yourself…. Guitars need not be expensive to be great. Yes, the
cat’s out of the bag. It troubles me to have to tell you this. It’s not
always the parts that make the guitar it’s how they’re put together.
This doesn’t mean that guitarists need to choose guitars like they
choose a girlfriend. After all most have the same parts-and are
remarkably different in how they’re put together.
Bottom line is you have to make up your own mind. The question needs
to be asked, “Would you rather have a guitar builder build your guitar
or a guy on a forum”? I promise you they are not the same. You won’t see
guitar builders or techs handing out free advice there when they can
charge for it. Just remember, in the hands of a good craftsman-your
guitar build need not be expensive.
Rick Mariner working on your guitar
parts choices are not rocket science
The choices are very mundane and ordinary, but when the parts are
added properly then BANG! Just like the proper mixture of gunpowder. If
you don’t mix it right it will fail to work. SO…. the combination has to
be PERFECT. Same with your guitar build . Rather than stand over your
tech and direct the build-why not let them do what you want-then test it
and see if it needs tweaking. Generally, if you hire a great builder
the project is in good hands. Let him work. Usually after the guitar is
built then you’ll have something to talk about. However, first, let him
build it.
In 99% of the guitar builds I do for players most are exactly right
needing a few tweaks at the very end. This is where players need me, the
builder/tech to really listen. If it’s close, I can can get it the rest
of the way there. If it’s not already perfect then we work together to
get it that way. So, let me tell you what I told you. Guitars need not be expensive-just well built.
Guys on forums are not builders and will not offer good advice. Let the
guitar builder work and don’t try to convince him you’re the real
expert. Do the final tweaks together for the best result on your guitar build .
players try to build a guitar after 15 minutes spent on a forum
When I build a guitar following this very procedure-there are no complaints ever. Most of the fake complaints
we see are the ones involving malicious buying, competitors or players
that try building a guitar after 15 minutes spent on a forum. Let us build you a great inexpensive guitar you’ll love.
I know you’ll want to bring tools to assist, but it’s not necessary-we
can handle it. The important part is that you’re a happy guitar player. I
never feel as if the job is complete until I hear what the player has
to say about the completed guitar. I love a well finished job.
Mr. Rick Mariner Owner and Founder and CEO of Haywire Custom Guitars
Inc.
He is a member of The Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
(A.S.I.A.) as well as a guitar player. Rick holds a bachelors degree
from University of Md. and a Masters degree from George Washington
University. Rick developed his exclusive 8 – Point “Gig- Ready” guitar
process that allows for Custom Guitars that are “GIG-READY”. With Rick’s
many years of development and guitar set-up experience, Haywire Guitar
shop “Builds satisfied players… one Haywire guitar at a time”.
High-output pickups are distorted and mostly unpleasant in the tonal
spectrum. They generate distorted tones exactly as designed. The usage
for these distortion producing pickups are limited at best. Low to
mid-output pickups are more versatile and much quieter. They represent
better and more clear, clean guitar output signal choices. They’re
perfect for clean sounds, however you have the option of dirtying up
your sound by changing your amp settings or plugging into distortion
pedals. In the myriad of choices for amps you’ll find one that can
easily distort at will. Most amps have enough gain to make any pickup
generate heavy distortion levels. Picking a pickup just became easier.
Follow The Crowd ?
I know lots of people who only wear “name brand” clothing. So do you?
What if there was something else that fit better, looked and felt
better? Would they wear it? From my experience- No. Well, the same goes
for guitar pickups. If you’re just a name brand Lemmings kind of player
there’s no changing you. However, if you’re intelligent, independent,
not easily lead by the crowd and find your own path preferable, then
you’ll benefit from a great set of pickups that just sound good. Most of
all, they have a good solid signal for you to process.
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