FUQ (eff -yu - cue) - FAQ's with an EDGE

Tagged As: Classical Guitar Tuning

Question:
I have a Yamaha CG150CCE Electro Classical guitar which I have played for about a year and I recently changed the strings OK but I keep having trouble tuning it. I used an electronic tuner on it and found the G string was the problem. The difference between an open G and a G played on the 12th fret is approx 22cents whilst all the other strings sound fine when playing open and then at the 12th fret. Has anyone seen this problem before and if so what can cure it?

Answer:
G strings are a constant source of trouble on nylon strung guitars. On my Estruch classical I had to try about 3 different makes of strings before I could find one which played even approximately in tune at the top of the neck. You might have to experiment a bit. The usual problem is playing sharp at the 12th fret and heavier guage strings seem to be better. Many classical guitar players just avoid playing high on the G string if they can! Most classical players go through several different sets before they decide on the one that complements the individual guitar soundwise too. I have known many who use treble strings from one set and wound strings from another, and other exotic recipes. Almost all my flamenco friends in London used yellow La Bella first strings, for example, no matter what the rest of the set was (usually Savarez high tension, yellow card). But 22 cents does sound like a lot. Check with your tuner at the first and second frets - how far out are they? Check the nut slot to see if the G string is making clean contact with the fingerboard edge of the nut. Sometimes a string of different thickness than the one replaced will not fit into the slot properly. Fret the G string at the third fret and look to see how big the gap between the string and the top of the first fret is. It shouldn't be more than the thickness of a piece of 80 gram printer paper. Depending on your action height you may even get away with less (*too* low and the open string will rattle on the first fret). I presume the bridge saddle has already been cut back as far as it will go on the G string? Most newer Yamahas come with a compensated G saddle, what I've seen. Is the bridge saddle standing straight in its slot? If it's leaning forward (toward the neck) the guitar will almost certainly play sharp up the neck.