Why Does My Guitar Go Sharp When Its Out of Tune?

Why Does My Guitar Go Sharp When It's Out of Tune?

When your guitar goes out of tune, and it tends to tune up to a higher note instead of easing down to the correct pitch, it can indeed be attributed to a few common causes. Most often, this issue is related to friction or changes in temperature. However, in rare cases, the guitar's neck angle or internal structural issues might be the culprit.

Common Causes and Solutions

1. Friction at the Nut or Bridge

What’s Happening: When you bend the strings or use a vibrato bridge, the friction at the bridge or the nut can cause the strings to get stuck and not return to their original pitch. This is particularly noticeable if your strings are brand new and haven't been seated properly in the nut or bridge slots.

How to Fix It: To reduce or eliminate friction, you can lubricate the slots in the nut and bridge where the strings pass through. A small amount of graphite from a pencil lead or a little lip balm can make a significant difference. You can also try pulling a wound string back and forth through the slot that’s sticking, which might file down any small rough patches. If a wound string won’t fit, a piece of fine grade sandpaper might help. Be gentle and don’t overdo this. Significant alteration of the size or shape of the slot can affect the playability of the guitar and is not easily undone.

2. Temperature Changes

What’s Happening: A slight change in temperature, especially if the guitar is taken from a cooler environment to a warmer one, can cause the guitar to go sharp. This is because wood expands in warmer temperatures and contracts in cooler ones, affecting the string tension.

How to Mitigate It: To avoid large or sudden changes in temperature, try to keep your guitar in a relatively stable environment. However, if you need to play in a different room, allow the guitar to sit in the room for as long as possible before tuning up. This allows the guitar to adjust to the new temperature and minimizes the risk of going out of tune.

3. Neck Angle and Structural Issues

What’s Happening: In rare circumstances, the guitar's neck angle might need adjustment. The neck can bend due to various factors, affecting the string tension and causing the guitar to go sharp. Structural issues such as faults with the bracing, neck block, or glue joints can also contribute to this problem.

How to Fix It: If you suspect that the neck angle or other structural issues are causing your guitar to go sharp, it’s best to take it to a professional luthier who knows what they are doing. A reputable guitar repairer can diagnose and fix the problem properly.

Professional Help

If you’ve tried all the above solutions and the problem persists, it's time to seek professional help. A skilled luthier can identify the exact cause of the issue and provide a proper fix. If your guitar is worth anything at all, it is worth fixing it properly.

Conclusion

While it is normal for guitars to go out of tune, the tendency to go sharp rather than flat can often be attributed to friction at the nut or bridge, changes in temperature, or structural issues. By understanding the possible causes and taking appropriate actions, you can keep your guitar in tune and ensure it lasts for many playing sessions to come.