problem tuning E & G strings

[theix]

Hey guys this is driving me nuts!

I have a fender jazz with rotosound 77 flats. Had the strings on there about 3-4 months and I'm using a korg GA-30 tuner.

When I'm tuning the E & G (open or 5th fret) they just wont tune properly and the tuner just goes crazy. Like the tuner needle will hit green but after a second or 2 then goes mad swinging flat/sharp and the red lights flash. It's worse on the G string as the needle will hit green but then will really spaz out and go as sharp as it can go then swing back n forth.

I'm not bending the strings when I fret and I'm plucking normally. The tuner has new batteries.

Do you think it's the strings or the bass? I have a epi eb-3 with rounds on and it tunes perfectly.

[fourstringdrums]

I'm having the same problem with my Precision and Jamerson Flats. I use harmonic tuning as well, so I basically rely on that and not the tuner as so much. It's so bad that sometimes the string will say it's in tune and then flash sharp, and then if I try it again it will say it's in tune and then flash flat. Or flash flat, and then say it's in tune, or just go nuts. But in my case I'm thinking it may need new batteries, or I just need a new tuner.

[theix]

Yeah thats exactly the same as what I get. Says its in tune then goes mental! A and D strings are fine though...very strange. When I tune the strings on the 5th fret it isn't as bad when tuning open.

What tuner do you use fourstring?

[fourstringdrums]

Originally Posted by theix

Yeah thats exactly the same as what I get. Says its in tune then goes mental! A and D strings are fine though...very strange. When I tune the strings on the 5th fret it isn't as bad when tuning open.

What tuner do you use fourstring?

A Sabine Strobe Tuner. I forget what model. I think it's a Zip 700.

[brian4xp]

I haven't tested this but I wonder the other strings aren't fully muted when tuning a particular string, then when they pick up the vibration from the string you are tuning and start to sound that that would affect the tuner.

[therex]

something might be interfering the signal from the string to the pup to the tuner
maybe something is buzzing or the bridge does not keeps the string in place properly
is it a vintage stlye fender bridge?

[Pilgrim]

Make sure the volume on your instrument is wide open when tuning. My tuner has trouble latching onto the note on some of my basses with lower output, especially if the volume on the bass is set at less than 100%.

I just tune with open strings - no harmonics.

[fourstringdrums]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

I just tune with open strings - no harmonics.

Do you mean when using the tuner? I don't use harmonics any more when using a tuner. It was throwing it off too much. But I tune up with open strings and then check with harmonics to make sure that I'm in tune that way. Sometimes the harmonics can be in tune but the tuner says otherwise when playing the open strings.

[ehque]

Originally Posted by fourstringdrums

Sometimes the harmonics can be in tune but the tuner says otherwise when playing the open strings.

Then your intonation is off.

And if your intonation is off, you might have trouble tuning your bass normally as well, as different orders of harmonics fade off at different speeds.

[Mushroo]

Originally Posted by ehque

Then your intonation is off.

And if your intonation is off, you might have trouble tuning your bass normally as well, as different orders of harmonics fade off at different speeds.

Nope, harmonics are not affected by intonation. Bad intonation puts your fretted notes out of tune compared to the harmonics, not the other way around.

Also, most harmonics are slightly out of tune, so you should definitely be using the open string or octave harmonic to tune your bass, if you use a tuner.

To the original poster, it is normal for the note to go sharp when you pluck it and then go flat as it fades. It's quite likely that the construction of flats would make this more pronounced. Personally, when using a tuner (which I rarely do) I ignore the start and end of the note, and try to get the middle of the note in tune, if that makes any sense. I also agree with the poster who suggested you check that all other strings except the one you're trying to tune are muted.

[Chasarms]

Often, a tuner will get a much more stable reading if you use the octave (12th fret) harmonic instead of the open string.

If that harmonic is in tune, the open string is in tune.

[peterbright]

The pickup height can also affect tuning.

[theix]

Originally Posted by Mushroo

To the original poster, it is normal for the note to go sharp when you pluck it and then go flat as it fades. It's quite likely that the construction of flats would make this more pronounced. Personally, when using a tuner (which I rarely do) I ignore the start and end of the note, and try to get the middle of the note in tune, if that makes any sense. I also agree with the poster who suggested you check that all other strings except the one you're trying to tune are muted.

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

What Mushroo said confirmed what I thought though. The middle of the note is always on so this makes sense. To my ears the strings sound in tune (always trust your ears!) but I just wasn't sure what what was going on with the tuner.

I always mute the other strings properly and I also noticed that if I turn off the bridge PU the tuner doesn't fluctuate so much but as the fender site recommends both PUs and tone should be up full. PU height is set to the fender site specs.

I tried tuning with the Ampeg SVT software I have and tuned the open strings and set the intonation again and it fluctuated between 0-2 cents. Is this close enough?

Anyway I'm not sure if I really like these roto flats anyway! May try the Labella flats or just go back to rounds. Be interesting to see if there's a difference with rounds.