Tipton's method for keeping new strings in tune...

[Todd Tipton]

* place the 6th string roughly a major 3rd too high around a G - sharp

Wow! i don't think I'd dare do that.

Remember, all the strings are not on the instrument when I do this.

what is the purpose of this? i find the bass string settle so much faster than the trebles that they never present any worries.

I suppose your mileage may vary. For me, it is a way to quickly get new strings to settle.

all the best,

Todd

[glassynails]

Sorry, nylon strings NEVER stay in tune. Heat, humidity, etc. are always working against them and they have to be tuned, even between playing pieces. That's just part of playing the guitar ... plus it's good practice for your ear. I don't know why people just don't accept that.

Even when I change strings I don't fret about it. I just accept the fact that I'll be re-tuning for the day, it's not a big deal in my opinion.

[cpike]

Sorry, nylon strings NEVER stay in tune. Heat, humidity, etc. are always working against them and they have to be tuned, even between playing pieces. That's just part of playing the guitar ... plus it's good practice for your ear. I don't know why people just don't accept that.

Even when I change strings I don't fret about it. I just accept the fact that I'll be re-tuning for the day, it's not a big deal in my opinion.

+1

[JohnH*]

I'm with G-nails on this one. Mr. Tipton's well-articulated method doesn't really keep new strings in tune; it just helps them settle in more quickly. I see it as a clever solution to a non-problem. If you're on stage and a string breaks, you'll re-string and carry on as best you can. If you're just making a routine string change, what's your hurry? I don't think a bit of pre-stretch is going to save you from re-tuning.

[Fugue]

It definitely sped up the stretching process, but it's not a cure-all. I was too afraid to crank them up as far as Todd suggested (generally a 1/2 step lower) since I'm currently using high tension strings. My next set will be medium tension--then maybe I'll go as far as he did with better results.

[michael karmon]

This is great! I can't wait to try it. Thanks, Todd!

Whenever I change strings I end up composing guitar music at the piano for a few days because the guitar tuning is just too unstable. It would be great if I could cut down on the amount of time it takes new strings to settle in!

[Tarbaby]

Sorry, nylon strings NEVER stay in tune. Heat, humidity, etc. are always working against them and they have to be tuned

I have a set of Hense medium tensions on my guitar right now. We've had a heat wave lately and the trebles have strangely been going SHARP when the guitar sits for a while.

Wussup wit dat?

Alan

[Hans W]

Physics Alan.

Most materials stretch or relax when heat is applied. Nylon contracts.

You can try this at home but only under supervision. Take an old string and tie something heavy to it like a hammer and suspend it. Now take out the old hair dryer and apply heat. The hammer will rise not drop. Counter intuitive isn't it. I know... I actually did this myself because my trebles were going sharp when it was really hot here and I couldn't figure out why. I guess an easier way to confirm this is just to apply direct heat ie a flame, to nylon anything and it shrivels up as opposed to "dripping" all over the place ie that's why we heat the end of a string to make a ball to prevent the string slipping through the hole.

Hans

[Todd Tipton]

I'm with G-nails on this one. Mr. Tipton's well-articulated method doesn't really keep new strings in tune; it just helps them settle in more quickly. I see it as a clever solution to a non-problem. If you're on stage and a string breaks, you'll re-string and carry on as best you can. If you're just making a routine string change, what's your hurry? I don't think a bit of pre-stretch is going to save you from re-tuning.

You are correct. The nature of the guitars demands that the performer is always tuning. My method does exactly as you say and nothing more; it helps new strings settle in more quickly.

[Hans W]

Mr. Tipton's well-articulated method doesn't really keep new strings in tune

Exactly, which is why I have been working on my new ( patent pending) AutoTuner. It automatically detects any change in pitch and adjusts as you play. Finally you can now play in tune all the time.

AutoTuner.jpg

Hans

[Derry]

Hans, let us know when the patent is approved and you are mfg,, what a set of tuners,,

for years when I change strings I tune about one note high on every string and after an hour reduce it to half a note and can play with a little fine tuning after that,,

it also depends on the brand of strings used as they all do not stretch the same, especially the trebs,,

Derry

[Cuyler]

It's not as elegant as Hans' solution for classical guitars, but Gibson has something called a Robot Guitar that claims to tune itself:

Youtube

[Hans W]

No wonder the patent office hasn't gotten back. Foiled again

Hans

[LarryATahoe]

I played a wedding today. My "wedding" guitar is a fine guitar but the tuners on it aren't top notch, so it can be a little harder to keep in tune. Last night I decided to change strings to try to keep my clients happy and stay a little bit better in tune. I also tried Todd Tipton's string changing tips for the first time, along with the John Gilbert stringing method as explained on David Schramm's website. The guitar was IN TUNE that evening, and the next day all the strings were about a quarter tone flat, and easily adjustable to standard pitch. And it stayed in tune as well as you can expect a classical guitar to stay in tune, especially outside in some wind. In the past when changing strings a night before I would tune all strings up a step. And of course, they would all go equally out of tune. The Tipton method is SIGNIFICANTLY better. Todd, if you put a Paypal button on your website, I'll send you ten bucks for the tip, and encourage everyone else to do so. And David Schramm too for that matter. The string changing tip is the single best classical guitar tip I've picked up in three or four years rummaging around these various internet forums.

[fawlesslp]

the John Gilbert stringing method as explained on David Schramm's website

Thanks for bringing the method to my attention.