Having trouble tuning the Electric Guitar..?

Question

I'm an Intermediate Guitar player, and I've known how to tune guitars for a long time now. I can tune Acoustic guitars very well! But I have ALOT of troubl tuning the Electric type. I get a horrible sound. The Guitar is old, and I haven't changed the strings. Do you think that's the problem?

Answer 1

Could be. If the strings are really old they won't stay in tune very well. If the guitar is old, it could be that the tuners are shot, they might be slipping and not holding tune.

OTOH, if you have problems tuning ALL electric guitars, not just this particular one, maybe you're used to the sound of acoustic instruments, and the different timbre of an electric guitar is throwing your ear off so you're having trouble hearing when its in tune and when its not.

Have you tried using an electronic tuner, like a Korg or an Intellitouch? Even if you can't quite hear when you're in tune, one of those gadgets will TELL you when its right or at least really close.......

Answer 2

Im wondering what technique you use,do you use harmonics or octaves?
Try this technique
use the 12th harmonic on the 6th string and the 7th fret harmonic on the 5th string,repeat this interval til you get to the 2nd string,then use the octave on any fret between the 4th and 2nd strings,then back to the original for the 1st string.
I think this is the best way.if you still can't get it tuned,you probably need to have the intonation reset.good luck

Answer 3

Rachel's response is viable. Change your strings and use a good electronic tuner. That ought to remedy your problem.