Tuning Machines
Guild uses fine open-back and die-cast
tuning machines. Open-back tuners are
pre-lubricated, but may occasionally
require a small drop of light machine oil
on the worm gear (wipe off any excess)
and an occasional turn of a screwdriver
to make sure that the ring gear center
screw is snug. Die-cast tuning machines
are sealed and require no lubrication.
A small tension-adjustment screw at
the end of each tuner button holds
the button in place. If the tension is
too loose, the tuning machine may
slip and go out of tune easily; if it’s
too tight, the button may become
difficult to turn. Make sure that the
adjustment is firm, but not too tight.
Acids and oils from the hands can
degrade the plating on Guild tuning
machines. Wipe the machines with a
soft, dry cloth after each use to preserve
their appearance and function.
Strings that are improperly secured to
tuning machine posts can easily slip
and go out of tune. This is commonly
misdiagnosed as a problem with the
tuners themselves, so check your
string installation carefully
(see
illustrations 1, 2 and 3 on page 15)
.
Tuning Six-String Guitars
There‘s more than one way to tune a
guitar. Electronic chromatic tuners are
plentiful, inexpensive and very easy
to use. Simply plug in your guitar and
tune the strings from low to high as
noted on the tuner (E A D G B E).
Always tune up to the correct pitch
from below instead of down to the
correct pitch from above. This helps
eliminate string slack and lessens the
possibility of string slippage while
you’re playing.
To tune a guitar using a tuner with
an A-440 reference tone, a guitar
pitch pipe, an A-440 tuning fork or
other pitch reference, tune the second
string (A) to pitch accordingly. Then
fret the tuned A string at the 5th fret
to produce a D, and tune the adjacent
open D string to that pitch. Continue
in this fashion by fretting the tuned
D string at the 5th fret to produce a G
and tuning the adjacent open G string
to that pitch; then fret the tuned G
string at the 4th fret to produce a B and
tune the adjacent open B string to that
pitch; then fret the tuned B string at
the 5th fret to produce an E and tune
the adjacent high E string to that pitch.
Finally, fret the low E string at the
fifth fret and tune it up until its pitch
matches the adjacent open A string.
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