|
|
Joined:
May 2005
Posts: 327
Location: Evansville,IN | Just received my Gibson Goth Explorer, awesome guitar BTW. Having a problem tuning it. I can tune all the strings, except the low E which doesn't even register on my Korg tuner as an E string. I was beginning to think the tuner was bad, but works great on my other guitars.
Supposedly it has a set of new strings on it. Could it be it had a bad low E string on it? I guess it could happen.
The string just sounds weird no matter where it's tuned. Should I try another set of strings? :rolleyes: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Have you tried it with the pickup switch in a different position? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2005
Posts: 327
Location: Evansville,IN | Yes, I've tried it in all positions, still doesn't work. I even tried tuning it like you would an acoustic using the mike on the tuner, works on all the other strings except the low E. Strangest thing I've ever seen.
I could see it not working on one pickup or the other, maybe even both, but not acoustically. I bought a new set of strings for it, and a chromatic tuner (needed this anyway for the mandolin, and uke). I'll try that and see what happens. :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6201
Location: Phoenix AZ | How does it sound thru an amp? Can you just tune it by ear and is it OK? Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 1180
Location: Vermont USA | Bring it back where you bought it and let them restring it and tune it.
Paul |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Yeah, I go for checking it by ear, and try it thru an amp. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I think it's the Gibson. Throw it away and start over. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | try a new set of strings
a heavier gauge
see if the pickup is aligned under the string
take it back and get another one |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2005
Posts: 327
Location: Evansville,IN | It would be nice if I could take it back, but this was an eBay buy. The guy I bought from said he had just replaced the strings, tuned and played it one last time to be sure it was in working condition, then loosened the strings for shipment. I think this may be the problem, so I have bought another set of strings, and will try those.
I tried the by ear tuning. Can't even get it remotely close that way either, haven't tried it through an amp yet. I know the pickups both work, so there has to be a problem with that one string. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 68
Location: Malden, Massachusetts | Try cranking the string up slowly until the tuner picks up something, a G, A, D, etc.
Then you can bring it back down.
You have nothing to lose but a string, and maybe an eye, if your staring to closely!
LOOK OUT !!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Wear gloves and safety goggles. Just like we all do when we use stuff like hammers. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 183
Location: Denver, PA USA | It is a Gibson thing. A friend at church has a Les Paul and he has a horable time tuning it. Sell it and buy something that doesn't say Gibson on it. They ain't what they use to be.
Bill |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 123
Location: Massachusetts | Have you tried a different tuner? Have you tried fretting the 5th fret to make an A note and tune with that? I hear some tuners you need to try that.
Have you stretched the strings?
I don't know just tossing out some ideas. Hope there isn't a problem with the guitar but I suppose for like $70 you could take it to a Gibson authorized tech to set it up for you and tweek things like filing the nut and putting new strings on. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2004
Posts: 604
Location: Tampa, FL | I just put some new strings on one of my children this weekend. Didn't have a battery in for the on board tuner so I used another tuner I had laying about. I was really surprised at how the tuner responded. All the higher strings tuned up pretty easy. The tuner found the note easily and tracked the tuning process really well. But the low E registered all over the place. I'm assuming that symptom is related to the combination of vibration modes that the string is experiencing when brand new. After an hour or so, the string (ands tuner settled down). I like Corvairfan's idea. Tune it fretted first, to get it close, and then check it open. Might make a difference. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2005
Posts: 327
Location: Evansville,IN | I can get it to tune like the 5th string, but if I back it down it just won't work. I'm thinking it's the string. I will change them all tomorrow when I have more time to fool around with it. ;)
The string just sounds dead. Doesn't have any ring to it at all. Almost sounds muted. I'll get it figured out. :rolleyes: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | If it sounds dead it probably isn't vibrating cleanly, maybe not seated in the nut or saddle just right? If some strings will tune they all should unless the angle of the bridge or nut are really wrong (this is not impossible but unlikely) The intonation might be off. Try a good tuner like an old Peterson (or whatever the modern equlivent is) that will show you the note and the harmonic and the 12th fret and all that.
When you're done call up Henry at Gibson (the CEO) and tell him his product sucks a mile of donkey sausage etc..... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2005
Posts: 327
Location: Evansville,IN | I'm going over it real good tomorrow. It has to be something I'm over looking. Sometimes I just don't see the obvious when it's staring me in the face. :D
I don't think ol' Henry would appreciate that... :) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | Loose windings. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2005
Posts: 327
Location: Evansville,IN | Finally got it tuned. Sounds good through my amp too. I still think that low E string was bad, just doesn't quite have the ring to it like the others, so tomorrow I will change all of them. ;) |
|
| |
Tuning Problem