Hmm 6th string...

Is this normal? When I tune most of my strings my Korg tuner light is green in the middle but the lcd arm also flails from left and right and turns the flat and sharp red lights on.. especially on the 6th string. I can't seem to get it only to light the green light only.

Make sure you mute all the other strings while you are tuning. The vibration of one string may make the others resonate and make it difficult to tune. Also are you plugging into the tuner? Or are you tuning by the sound from your amp? Always plugin for a more accurate tune.. Also, I have found that it is easier to tune when I have the tone settings on the guitar set at max, the volume at max and on the front pickup (the one closest to the fretboard).

Yes, I did try muting the other strings while tuning the 6th string, and yes I am plugging directly into the tuner. :( I'll try the volume at the max and at the first front pick up as you suggest. Thanks so much for your help!

I did exactly what you said, but it still goes to the sharp and flat red lights also. Is that normal? Should I just be happy the green light turns on at least? I guess since you didn't say anything about it it's probably not.. normal lol :confused: Should I take my guitar to where I bought it and ask about it?

I don't have the same tuner as you.. may be once you get it dead centre all the lights light up to say so. Did the tuner come with an instruction manual?

Yes the tuner came with an instruction manual. It says the following:

Play a single note on your instrument, and tune it so that the meter needle points to the middle and the center indicatior of the tuning guide lit (if using A=440 Hz as a reference pitch). If your instrument is flat, the left indicator will light. If it issharp, the right indicatorwill light.

When I tune the 6th string in particular, it's very difficult to get it exactly in the middle for a solid green light. It goes to the sharp or flat lights also. The 5th string is a little simular as well, but I don't have the same problem for the other strings.

i have the same tuner you have (im think) one problem you could be having is the gears in the machine head is slipping or when the strings were put on they didnt seat properly in the bridge block ( this has happened to me before). other things that could be wrong are your not tuning properly, you have a bad tuner or your just unlucky.

if your not going flat the your string inst slipping off the machine head pole or the gears arent slipping. to check to see weither the string is sitting in the bridge block grab the string near the bridge (as close as you can get to the saddles) and pull up on it and 'wiggle' it a bit.

when you tune make sure you always go up to the note not down. go as slow as you need to. dont rush tune by 1 cent if you have to. and relax. also you might only use your tuner for half of your strings. tune to the 4th string with the tuner then use the fith fret of the A and low E strings to tune them in by ear. (it will get easier to do as you get better)

if you do have a bad tuner you might take your ax to the shop and ask if you can use theirs, if it still does it then your tuner is fine and your already at the shop to get it fixed. if you have the money to throw away right now or even in the future, you might consider buying a second tuner. i lost my tuner once and bought a second then found the first and its great. keep one in your practice space and the other in your gigbag/case.

if its bad luck, i cant help im still trying to fix my own.

My tuner sometimes starts to act whacky when the battery is running low. You might try putting a new battery in it.

-Lisa McCormick, Guitar Tricks Instructor

I am not familiar with your tuner, but some have a small mic for tuning an acoustic guitar. If your tuner has the mic, is your mic disconnected when you plugin. You may be picking up room noise. My acoustic Martin has a built in tuner which is very handing, but it will pickup room noise and make it very difficult to tune in room full of people.

Just a thought!

Sounds crazy I know, but when my intonation is off every tuner I have acts that way.

You said you have an Ibanez electric I think, I don't suggest trying to do this yourself. See if you can get someone at a music store to check it. Tell them you think it is making a difference in your tuning.

You being a customer, and them wanting to keep you happy. They shouldn't charge anything, just ask them to check it for you. You being a beginner, they should really want to keep you coming back to their store.

JD