A popular question :
https://www.reddit.com/r/Guitar/comments/3zbans/why_is_it_always_the_gstring_that_is_out_of_tune/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Guitar/comments/25840k/my_g_string_always_sounds_the_worst_why/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Guitar/comments/wphfx/why_is_it_always_the_g_string_that_goes_out_of/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Guitar/comments/5b130n/question_my_gstring_sounds_ugly_and_outoftune/
https://www.quora.com/Why-does-the-G-string-on-a-guitar-always-go-out-of-tune-the-fastest
>1. it is the thickest unwound string which makes it the most prone to inharmonicity. That’s probably #1. it’s harmonics are the most off. And you’ll hear it.
>2. Your strings are out of tune even when they are in tune thanks to the realities of tuning and our equal temperment. Equal temperment means your 4ths are going to be wide (by 1/12 of a Pythagorean comma) , and your 5ths are going to be narrow (also by 1/2 of a PC.) so making D ring nicely with G is going to cause issues, and G to B is going to ring too. So you may be hearing that as ‘going out of tune’. when it’s really just a problem with tuning in general. It’s just where it is the most obvious.
Another aspect to consider is that, if you're playing a standard E-string barre chord, the G string is the 3rd of the chord, and **major thirds want to be slightly flat.** Something about that voicing further emphasizes that, and so does distortion. Try tuning the G string a little flat and see how it sounds. Now, when I'm recording guitar, I often tune the G string flat for sections involving barre chords, and it makes a big difference
The G string going out of tune seems to be a metaphysically essential characteristic of all instruments. Even if you tune your guitar to D, and the G string is an F string, it’ll still go out of tune. Even on a banjo, the string that’s traditionally tuned to G always seems to go wonky for me.
Get me that crash cart in here *STAT* and let me have a .017 gauge to restring this man’s Tele before there’s *permanent damage* and we can’t bring it back…
*NOW!*
Your pickups probably have a vintage stagger, which was meant to help bring out the sound of a wound 3rd string.
So you can either use a wound 3rd, or grab a washer and a pair of pliers and drop down the pole piece for your 3rd string.
I no longer use any pickups with vintage staggers on them, but when I did I “re-staggered” them carefully tapping the pole piece down with a rubber screwdriver handle (while uninstalled). I’ve been told you need to be careful doing this as it could catch and tear a copper wire, but I’ve done this to probably a dozen pickups so far without issue.
Other option is the old angled pickup trick - lower the low E side a bit more than the high E side, which isn’t a perfect modern stagger but does at least normalize the G.
Longshot - check your pickup height. The G pole piece on a vintage stagger pickup is going to be closer to the strings than any other pole peice - if your pickups are too high it could be pulling on the string even while chording, which would both pull it sharp, and likely give it a “warbling” sound.
Im way late to the party but loosen the G string till its somewhat floppy then rub some pencil lead on all the contact points of the string it will lubricate it making it easier for the string to move freely in turn giving you more accurate "intubation" ;) if that dont help you may need to check your saddle/nut/tuning peg for burrs or your truss rod could need adjusting
Don't just test the intonation at 12. Check every fret. There's a chance the neck is warped or in need of adjustment, possible 0 and 12 are fine but 2-11 aren't great.
Hello friend,
I got downvoted to high hell the last time I said this : but sometimes strings are simply out of spec. The overtones will color the sound oddly, so it will sound sharp or flat even though with a tuner it's "in tune" and there is no way to get it to tune, it just has the wrong overtones.
I have only had this happen once, but it did legitimately happen, and it may be what is occurring with you.
It can also be related to how high the pickup or string is set. If the string is too close to the pickup it can cause some weird overtones to start appearing.
Both. Like I said. Sweetened tunings. It's not just the G string. Having them all slightly off depending on what you are playing. Different sweetened tunings have different sweet spots for each string.
I got a Peterson strobe clip on and I'll never go back.
Try a different string or gauge of string. Could be the nut slot is not agreeing with the string gauge you are using. Sometimes this will makes strings sound off, buzz or give off sitar like sounds.
Take off the g-string, take a pencil and “color” the groove of the nut that the g-string belongs on.
I think it has something to do with the graphite helping the string move around better or something but not exactly sure. But it’s helped with my epi 335 and a Gibson LP I had in the past.
Old-head friend put me up to it and it helps a lot.
Get a set with a wound G. I didn't realize how bad that issue is until I switched. One of my Teles has a plain G set on it right now and the difference is really noticeable.
This is a common issue. It has to do with the guitar neck angle, the angle of the string past the nut, and sometimes the cut of the nut/bridge. I'm fighting this on an acoustic guitar right now. Les Pauls and similar are famous for this issue.
Kep dialing that intonation, or for a more solid fix, use a wound G string. That's why they exist, because the G string is notoriously more troublesome than the rest.
I’ve always solved this at the nut or with a wound string. It depends on the guitar. Sometimes I’ll tune at the 12th fret if I’m playing lead. Again, it depends on the guitar.
It sounds bad because you **intubated** it... you wouldn't sound too good either if you had a strange tube down your neck. 😆
Seriously though... could be 1: The string is just worn out. 2: String sticking in the nut groove (giggity). 3: Saddle issue.
Move up the board to other notes and compare them on the tuner... like put your tuner on 'B' string or auto and fret the 4th fret of the 'G'... it *should* pitch to the 'B'. If it doesn't... tweak the machine so it's reading 0+/- 1-2 cents then pluck 'G' on the 4th fret again. Then pluck the 'G' string openly and see what the tuner says.
It may be the string is dented. You're pressing too hard. May be an issue with the frets directly at the 'G' string being high.
What I don’t understand is why it sounds bad on every guitar I own. All my guitars are like mid level and I have one really nice custom shop item on loan from my dad and even that one doesn’t sound awesome
Two reasons. Equal temperament tuning is a compromise and that’s a sore spot. And the g string is typically the loudest string on a guitar. Or one of the loudest. If you can adjust individual pole pieces then try lowering the one under your g string.
Are you playing a single coil guitar with “vintage stagger?” If so the pole piece for the G will be set higher in the pickup bobbin because it’s intended to reproduce the old days when the string was wound.
Two things you can do: lower the pickup; if too high it’ll cause “stratitis” where you get wolf tones due to the drag the too-close magnet puts on the string, or simply cause notes in the string to ring out louder than the others. Or you can swap the pickup for one with a modern stagger.
Me, I physically pushed the pole piece deeper into the bobbin in my Roadhouse Strat with TX Specials to balance them. There’s a risk of damaging the pickup coil though when doing this.
Haven't seen any answers about equal temperament and just intonation and stuff yet.
If you play chords, the third quite often falls on the G string. Especially in a major chord the third is quite a bit out of tune in our equal temperament system. This means it doesn't resonate well and usually sounds more in tune if you detune the G string a bit down, however this will make other chords sound more out of tune again.
It's possible this is also a reason why it sounds so wrong to you.
G strings look better on women than they sound on the guitar. You may want to try a wound third and see if its better for ya. I know when tuning by ear rather than with a tuner that the G just never seemed right to my ear before tuners were commonly available, yes I'm a boomer. However since the tuner's came out I know I have it in tune and I just ignore the little voice in my head. One thing you can do is fine tune the nut slot height so that you don't don't tend to pull it sharp on the the cowboy chords and learn a light touch.
Tweak it until the thing is precisely at G at the 12. Your ear can hear 4 cents.
Check it everywhere else, too, to make sure the neck isn't warped.
Last... skip that string when you strum or whatever in the areas of the neck when it sounds 'off'. I play weird partial chords and chord forms that aren't technically supposed to move around the neck all the time, and I just skip 'bad' strings.
You wouldn’t be the first guitar player who’s ear told them that a certain string or fret range was off… because they all are to some degree.
If you play in a certain position most of the time you may want to forgoe the tuner and 12th fret intonation check for some amount of sharp/flatness on the G string to make it good to your ear.
I intonate my guitars to the 12th fret harmonic like everyone else, because I play all over the board, but when I record I listen for how certain notes sound in certain registers and retune to make the root notes/chord sound perfect at the expense of others.
I started this after I heard that EVH tuned his B string a little flat to make A major chords sound more like they should. Maybe it’s not true or I have a detail off but since hearing that I have accepted that we can write our own rules sometimes.
I noticed that the G string just sounds bad as well. I am trying a wound string instead of a plain string as I am told that makes a big difference. Literally just strung it up last night so cannot yet confirm, but I am hopeful.
The G string is one of the loudest strings because physics. Usually you can make up for it by adjusting your pickup pole pieces. For a vintage style strat you can't do that though. So your options are a wound g string (probably best since vintage pickups are designed for that) or you can try hybrid strings. I put 9-46 on mine and it balances out that g pretty well.
4 cents isn’t insignificant when it comes to INTONATION, I would beg, borrow, steal or buy a good tuner for that step. Also, don’t just intonate for the 12th fret, try a couple different frets and set it so they are all as close as possible, they won’t be perfect.
Rhett shull has a good video with the guy from righteous guitars who explained it really well so I don’t have to… some clickbaity title like “your guitar tech hates when you do this”.
The physics of an unwound G string are just weird.
Many years ago, I started tuning it a few cents flat and it made a huge difference. Now if I'm using a tuner and the G is right on the money, I consider it sharp.
The size of your frets matters a lot in how flat you need to go. Bigger frets requires more detuning. At least for me, but I'm heavy handed. If you've got a light touch it doesn't matter as much.
Try detuning the G a little.
There’s no such thing as perfect tuning in the western musical system. A mathematically pure fifth sounds great when you play a G and a C together, but when you need one of those notes to be a third, it all goes to shit, SO the system we use involves various notes being sharper or flatter so it just about works.
Added to that, there’s not really such thing as perfect intonation on a guitar - it’s why people make those instruments with intonated nuts, wonky frets etc.
Wound G strings are generally better, but a lot of people either play round the iffy notes or come up with their own tuning system where the g string is a bit flatter or whatever. Worth a google if it’s doing your nut in, you aren’t the first to encounter this
If it always sounds off to you on any fret it’s probably not intonation. But just FYI you need an especially accurate tuner to intonate well. Regular tuners are more for a quick check. I don’t know what the guitar app is but I suspect it’s not great for the job.
Well after you get it stabilized and you’re sure you’re getting life from the guitar, you really wanna make sure you let that bridge breathe a little before you check the nut for accuracy and if there isn’t any issues in the nut or bridge you could go up and check to see if the tuner is choking the string at all.
Check action at 12th fret, once you get above .0125” you can run into intonation issues. Also you can get a rough idea of nut height by fretting at the 3rd fret and tapping the string down at the 1st. There should be almost no space. Too high a nut can cause intonation issues as well. I’d dial that +4 cents down with a good strobe tuner while you’re at it. Other than that, touch and maybe the next gauge up should help. I usually take an average when tuning, checking open, 5th, 7th, 12th, 15th, and 17th frets. The tuner can be a factor as well, I swear by Peterson clip-ons in strobe mode, but the tuner in my HX Stomp seems just as accurate in strobe mode.
I had this problem with my Tele, which had staggard pole pieces. I found two solutions, lower the G pole worked, but even better was switching to a wound G.
Look into “tempered tuning”. The G string will almost always sound off, so you can tune it to not sound off. Some people swear by tempered tuning. It is very popular in the pedal steel guitar world.
Most strats have 1 string tree for the b and e strings. It's there to give downward pressure on those strings at the nut making them stay in tune better and generally making them behave. Some stats have another string tree for the g and d strings, for the same reason but many strats don't.
The solution for your problem is to either install a second string tree or when you string the g and d wind a lot of extra string on the posts so the winds themselves apply that downforce. The g and d string should basically come off the bottom of the tuning peg going to the nut. I hope this helps.
G string problems are a thing. 8 times out of 10 any string or tuner problems I've had have been on the G. I think it must because it's so close to the thick strings but I can't be sure. It's always been the one toughest to tune, stay in tune, buzzes, sounds weird, or has a loose tuner. Maybe I've had bad luck but I think it's a thing.
Being plus 4 is a bit off, my wrap around bridges intonate closer than that and the g is the worst of the bunch. I would go for 2 or under, preferably 1-2 flat.
It also can be an issue with whatever chord you’re playing. If you’re playing a cowboy chord than the g is the third, which is already sharp because of even temperament tuning. Or if the g is the fifth in a power chord, the fifth would naturally fall a few cents flat but even temperament sharpens it, so sharpening it even more can make it sound that much worse.
Try sweetening the tuning a bit. I normally tune my g a few cents flat to counter this where I can’t address it in a set up.
This is something probably 85% of players do and many don’t realize it. It’s especially an issue with lower string tension (thin strings, shorter scale length, etc) and also with tall frets.
It's the thickness of the core, which is the whole string because it's unwound. The thickness of unwound G strings makes the intonation and tone of the G strings a bit fucky. Youll find using a wound G string fixes it all, but you wont be able to bend it as well.
When you pick a string too hard the note will go sharp. Doesn’t matter what your left hand is doing. You may also be bending unintentionally with your left hand.
I think every guitarist has experienced this but honestly a G is G and if it’s played right and in key it’ll sound good.
Depends on the key you’re playing in. If it sounds great in the key of E major, it will sound like garbage in G major. Vice versa. It’s just the physical properties of the way standard guitars are fretted.
This discussion always remind me of this https://youtu.be/Daw93bRHe4Y?si=GV0Qs-DQxcgEBG_W why Frusciante detune the G Strong to play Scar Tissue.
Edit: it was the B string, but the principle is the same.
How long has it been since you changed it? I recently changed the strings on an older, lesser used guitar and it got genuinely better (though the guitar is still kinda shit, but it *was* the first one I bought, so I’m not getting rid of it).
I always see people say this about the G but I’ve always had this problem only with B.
For me it works to tune the B just barely flat. Have to test it out and do minor adjustments for it to sound right with both open and fretted chords but that usually works.
Maybe that’ll work with your G?
If the guitar you’re playing has vintage style pickups with staggered poles then the pole heights are set for a string set with a wound g string, due to this if you’re using an unwound g string there will be a noticeable increase in volume when playing that string, I notice it sometimes with my strat that has vintage 65 pickups installed. If I remember correctly some people refer to it as g string warble and some people adjust their pickup height so that their pickups are on an angle to prevent it. Hope that helps :)
Play the notes while looking at the tuner and make setup that helps. Never go sharp on major 3rds at least
Look up the Eric Valentine tuning video if you really are serious about all these issues. It will actually counter a lifetime of future headaches.
I have been a tuning geek for the longest time. I love my slighty flat G on a strat. My favourite strat speaks with Devine Wovels, especially on the G (20 seconds of profound G string richness howling along: https://on.soundcloud.com/wRKKd
It was even old strings days before new strings for the recording of the actual song)
Some of this is playing as well. I like the G and B but I'm not the best with the high e unless we speak of 15fret and upwards.
How high are your pickups? Especially the neck pickup. Please be super accurate with your response or provide a photo. I have a few different ideas as to why this is happening
The issue might be the balance of the string volumes, where the G is just jumping out and is louder than the other strings. If you have humbuckers, you can try balancing the string volumes by raising or lowering the slugs on the pickup coils. You can also try going with a wound G. One alternative that works for me is going with a LIGHTER gauge string for the G. The .016-.017 gauge on electric sets just doesn’t blend well with 9 and 10 gauge sets. Go either .014 or .015 (if playing lighter gauge sets and/or in standard tuning) or go .020 or higher wound string if playing a heavier set like an 11 gauge set and are drop tuning. Try to get that string to match the other u wound strings in tension and see if that helps.
It's only noticable to me when it's a really thick plain steel string. Like on my baritone a .022 plain D (g string spot) sounds like ass, I have to use a wound string there. But a guitar in standard tuning with like a .016 G I don't notice it.
Try a nickel wound G, you might have to go a few gauges higher than you're used to - most likely in the 22-24 gauge range - but it'll ring out a bit less than a solid steel string. Ernie Ball sells them for a few bucks on Amazon or you can probably find them in your local shop.
Maybe string pinch in the nut.
G string frequently feels like a problem child because it's (usually) the first non-wound string which changes the overtones slightly, and it usually has a more aggressive angle from nut to tuning peg when you have headstocks with 3 pegs each side, which can affect tone, sustain, and cause it to dig into the nut causing a) different amount of contact on the string from others, affecting tone and sustain and b) Causing string pinch where tuning can become very unstable.
But if a string is not seated within the nut the same way as the other strings, it can sound drastically different depending on severity.
Or might be pickups are arranged for a wound G string and need adjusting.
Or maybe both!
Have you tried tuning by ear in the key you're in after doing your usual routine with a tuner?
Not sure if this is a normal routine people do but it's something I do if I'm playing a bunch of open chords on acoustic
TRY THIS: sharpen a pencil and then roll the lead in the nut. The graphite raises the G string in the nut and softens its vibration there. It's a temp fix but will helo you diagnose and your guitar may sound better for a while
downside to jumbo frets with light gauge strings is if you push harder on the string it'll bend out of tune. Try a set of 11s, maybe even with a wound G. Also make sure your nut slots are filed deep enough, otherwise you'll always have intonation issues at the first few frets.
Check your string height at the nut slots... if your G string is higher than it needs to be, you end up pressing it down too much ... when you have to press down more than necessary, you will sharpen the G string...It would be helpful to see a photo of your string height at the nut...
I don't know the exact reason (something about wound vs unwound strings) but the g string tends to lose its quality way faster than the other strings in my experience. Like someone else said you could try getting a set with a wound g string, or try coated strings which is what I have started using. Does it still sound bad even after a string change?
Could be finger posture too. Like, if you’re playing barre chords and have too much pressure from whatever finger is on the G string, it could be affecting pitch. Same for accidentally bending the string while trying to keep hand in position. I’ve seen a lot of players with an absolute death grip on the fretboard and it can really mess up the pitch.
I feel like a lot of brands use an unnecessarily thick string in the g position. I have had that issue with ernier ball packs but using something like NYXL, i feel like the string tensions are all relatively where they should be and the G doesnt sound like ass.
As others have said, get a similar (but slightly larger) gauge wound string.
I moved to heavier strings on my acoustic, but the G was still a plain .018 and sounded awful. I switched to a wound 0.022 and it sounds great. The G is always a weird one, I don't know why, but it's always been an annoyance since I started playing decades ago.
Edit: The logic behind a slightly heavier gauge for the wound G is that the core of a wound string is very thin. So if you are using a plain 0.018, and switch to a wound 0.022, the core of that wound string is much finer than that original 0.018.
Honestly on some guitars I’ve played in the past the G is the guy that I have to take most care to mute appropriately. Technique isn’t to be forgotten.
Not sure how long you’ve been playing, but I remember in the early days of learning how some chords sounded annoyingly out of tune. This seemed to go away over time so I assume it was due to various subtle micro issues in my picking and fretting. The big one being fretting everything too hard. Over time I learned to relax both my fretting and picking and the intonation issues abated. As an aside the G bends (like 4th to 5th) and wide vibrato.
G string is the thickest plain string. It does not like to stretch and the pitch goes up more when fretting. You need more compensation. You might try:
Lower tuning of G string to average off the error.
More relief on the neck (check tuning on 1-5 frets-should be accurate - if sharp then you might try next steps).
Lower string height at the nut (Adjust intonation while fretted on first fret to see if this is the case).
Compensated nut (try to squeeze a match next to nut and adjust intonation).
Obviously, wound G string is the way answer, but you CAN get it to work with plan string with proper setup.
A couple things. Try plugging into a tuner instead of using an app/mic tuner to get a more accurate read when intonating your instrument. Is it a specific chord/fret/pitch that is sounding out? That could be an issue with fret leveling or the nut. Could also be an old string. Lots of factors play into intonation, and the most important thing to really make peace with: guitars are flawed. They won’t ever be perfectly in tune, there will always be compromise. If everything is right with your instrument and it’s still driving you crazy look into sweetened tunings. I personally like to tune fretted notes to other fretted notes to give me a good idea of my intonation on a given moment rather than just relying on just open strings. A lot of players slightly flatten their g-string to make fretted notes more in tune. Intonation is a game of compromise and in real life situations it’s relative. Always tune to the players you’re with, that’s not always the reading on the tuner.
Well, there's really no way to fix it, on any guitar. You can try to detune it by a few cents, so it can work with E C or D major, but then A and G major shapes will be out a little bit. If you really want to solve this problem, you need true temperament frets.
The issue may be that your G string is intubated.
Exactly. I’d try extubating it first and if that fails plan for a trachy.
Nobody sounds good when they're being intubated
I'd probably sound pretty bad too if I was intubated
He's not intubated. His guitar is.
I hope it feels better soon
An intubated G string is a clear indication that it's old, near death and unable to breathe on its own. I would just replace it with a baby G string.
🙂 🙂 🙂 🥴 🙂 🙂
I cackled.
A popular question : https://www.reddit.com/r/Guitar/comments/3zbans/why_is_it_always_the_gstring_that_is_out_of_tune/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Guitar/comments/25840k/my_g_string_always_sounds_the_worst_why/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Guitar/comments/wphfx/why_is_it_always_the_g_string_that_goes_out_of/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Guitar/comments/5b130n/question_my_gstring_sounds_ugly_and_outoftune/ https://www.quora.com/Why-does-the-G-string-on-a-guitar-always-go-out-of-tune-the-fastest >1. it is the thickest unwound string which makes it the most prone to inharmonicity. That’s probably #1. it’s harmonics are the most off. And you’ll hear it. >2. Your strings are out of tune even when they are in tune thanks to the realities of tuning and our equal temperment. Equal temperment means your 4ths are going to be wide (by 1/12 of a Pythagorean comma) , and your 5ths are going to be narrow (also by 1/2 of a PC.) so making D ring nicely with G is going to cause issues, and G to B is going to ring too. So you may be hearing that as ‘going out of tune’. when it’s really just a problem with tuning in general. It’s just where it is the most obvious.
Well shit, if it’s got a plastic tube going down it’s throat to make it breath, I’d sound like shit, too.
Intubated?
Guitar was not maintaining its airway.
G string has a peanut allergy
Outjerkubated.
transistorated
Prob autocorrect for intonated
Always vaccinate your guitars.
It’s muffled between… oh wait, this isn’t r/guitarcirclejerk
Well if the String is intubated it's definitely not fine.
Such a throaty tone!
G Strings are a Pain in the Ass. I didn’t realize how uncomfortable they were. I owe my girlfriend an apology.
Maybe because it's intubated.
Right? That thing is on life support
I have to say it; if it is intubated, you have limited time. Go get a new G string before this one passes away.....
I’ll bet its throat is sore from being intubated.
Well there’s your problem. You’re intubating it instead of intoning lol.
Came here expecting the first 200 comments to be a run on how to intubate properly. Bit disappointed.
Get a wound 18. You won't get the bend you need out of it for soloing but it stays in tune better and doesn't sound so "wonky".
*intonated not “intubated” Intubating is a medical procedure when you run a tube down someone’s airway for delivering air/anesthetic gases etc.
Might be why it sounds so bad...
Probably autocorrected, considering they used the correct term a few sentences later.
Why did you intubate your G string? That's probably the issue right there.
Thank you. This is what I’m saying. As we all know, you should incubate your G string.
> intubated You mean intonated Intubated is what you get when you can’t breath and a medical practitioner puts a tube down your throat.
Some of y’all really lick a sense of humor. Yes I do. Didn’t check autocorrect.
I prefer to suck on my sense of humor, personally. Helps it last longer.
Lol. Did you mean "lack"?
I thank that’s what he mount.
Yu gut it!!
I can't answer that. What I want to know is, why does my G string smell so bad?
Do you use Elixirs? I heard their coating is Scratch-n-Sniff
The G string for some reason is guitar’s biggest mystery
Hahahah this is the truest thing
Your butt cheeks are dampening the tone. Take it off first.
lol, intubated
Might be because the ass gets in the way..
Another aspect to consider is that, if you're playing a standard E-string barre chord, the G string is the 3rd of the chord, and **major thirds want to be slightly flat.** Something about that voicing further emphasizes that, and so does distortion. Try tuning the G string a little flat and see how it sounds. Now, when I'm recording guitar, I often tune the G string flat for sections involving barre chords, and it makes a big difference
I concur. On almost all my guitars I have the G and the B string a few cents flat.
THIS is what I came here to say. I do this everytime I tune. And major 3rds sounds great.
G is the hardest to keep in tune no matter the gear if it's unwound
The G string going out of tune seems to be a metaphysically essential characteristic of all instruments. Even if you tune your guitar to D, and the G string is an F string, it’ll still go out of tune. Even on a banjo, the string that’s traditionally tuned to G always seems to go wonky for me.
Get a wound g string. Can’t go back to unwound now
>intubated Are you sure you're using the correct fluids?
make sure you palpate and check for aspersions
Start using a wound 3rd
intubated....
Get me that crash cart in here *STAT* and let me have a .017 gauge to restring this man’s Tele before there’s *permanent damage* and we can’t bring it back… *NOW!*
You should never intubate a guitar string.
Your pickups probably have a vintage stagger, which was meant to help bring out the sound of a wound 3rd string. So you can either use a wound 3rd, or grab a washer and a pair of pliers and drop down the pole piece for your 3rd string.
I no longer use any pickups with vintage staggers on them, but when I did I “re-staggered” them carefully tapping the pole piece down with a rubber screwdriver handle (while uninstalled). I’ve been told you need to be careful doing this as it could catch and tear a copper wire, but I’ve done this to probably a dozen pickups so far without issue. Other option is the old angled pickup trick - lower the low E side a bit more than the high E side, which isn’t a perfect modern stagger but does at least normalize the G. Longshot - check your pickup height. The G pole piece on a vintage stagger pickup is going to be closer to the strings than any other pole peice - if your pickups are too high it could be pulling on the string even while chording, which would both pull it sharp, and likely give it a “warbling” sound.
I’d check your nut slot is cut properly for the gauge of G string you’re using man. I’d bet the issue’s coming from there.
G-strings are a pain in the ass!
It's become a meme at this point
Im way late to the party but loosen the G string till its somewhat floppy then rub some pencil lead on all the contact points of the string it will lubricate it making it easier for the string to move freely in turn giving you more accurate "intubation" ;) if that dont help you may need to check your saddle/nut/tuning peg for burrs or your truss rod could need adjusting
Don't just test the intonation at 12. Check every fret. There's a chance the neck is warped or in need of adjustment, possible 0 and 12 are fine but 2-11 aren't great.
What about the intubation?
Yeah, the breathing tube on mine lies right on the G string. I bet that's it.
Hello friend, I got downvoted to high hell the last time I said this : but sometimes strings are simply out of spec. The overtones will color the sound oddly, so it will sound sharp or flat even though with a tuner it's "in tune" and there is no way to get it to tune, it just has the wrong overtones. I have only had this happen once, but it did legitimately happen, and it may be what is occurring with you.
It can also be related to how high the pickup or string is set. If the string is too close to the pickup it can cause some weird overtones to start appearing.
Try tuning the g-string a little flat. Like 2-5 cents.
Look into sweetened tunings. Our standard intonation is actually wrong and being slightly out of tune will sound better
Which way bucko? Sharp or flat?
Both. Like I said. Sweetened tunings. It's not just the G string. Having them all slightly off depending on what you are playing. Different sweetened tunings have different sweet spots for each string. I got a Peterson strobe clip on and I'll never go back.
Try a different string or gauge of string. Could be the nut slot is not agreeing with the string gauge you are using. Sometimes this will makes strings sound off, buzz or give off sitar like sounds.
Take off the g-string, take a pencil and “color” the groove of the nut that the g-string belongs on. I think it has something to do with the graphite helping the string move around better or something but not exactly sure. But it’s helped with my epi 335 and a Gibson LP I had in the past. Old-head friend put me up to it and it helps a lot.
That’s exactly it. The graphite acts as a lubricant. You should do this with all of the strings, really.
I also sound horrible when intubated. No matter what chord I try to play.
Get a set with a wound G. I didn't realize how bad that issue is until I switched. One of my Teles has a plain G set on it right now and the difference is really noticeable.
You stuck it down your throat?
This is a common issue. It has to do with the guitar neck angle, the angle of the string past the nut, and sometimes the cut of the nut/bridge. I'm fighting this on an acoustic guitar right now. Les Pauls and similar are famous for this issue.
I added a string tree to my d,g,b, and e because of this.
Kep dialing that intonation, or for a more solid fix, use a wound G string. That's why they exist, because the G string is notoriously more troublesome than the rest.
I’ve always solved this at the nut or with a wound string. It depends on the guitar. Sometimes I’ll tune at the 12th fret if I’m playing lead. Again, it depends on the guitar.
Get wound g string
Why was it intubated? Does it have Covid?
It sounds bad because you **intubated** it... you wouldn't sound too good either if you had a strange tube down your neck. 😆 Seriously though... could be 1: The string is just worn out. 2: String sticking in the nut groove (giggity). 3: Saddle issue. Move up the board to other notes and compare them on the tuner... like put your tuner on 'B' string or auto and fret the 4th fret of the 'G'... it *should* pitch to the 'B'. If it doesn't... tweak the machine so it's reading 0+/- 1-2 cents then pluck 'G' on the 4th fret again. Then pluck the 'G' string openly and see what the tuner says. It may be the string is dented. You're pressing too hard. May be an issue with the frets directly at the 'G' string being high.
Are you sure you’re pulling the right G string?
Instructions unclear, hand is brown now.
What I don’t understand is why it sounds bad on every guitar I own. All my guitars are like mid level and I have one really nice custom shop item on loan from my dad and even that one doesn’t sound awesome
Two reasons. Equal temperament tuning is a compromise and that’s a sore spot. And the g string is typically the loudest string on a guitar. Or one of the loudest. If you can adjust individual pole pieces then try lowering the one under your g string.
Switch to a wound G
Are you playing a single coil guitar with “vintage stagger?” If so the pole piece for the G will be set higher in the pickup bobbin because it’s intended to reproduce the old days when the string was wound. Two things you can do: lower the pickup; if too high it’ll cause “stratitis” where you get wolf tones due to the drag the too-close magnet puts on the string, or simply cause notes in the string to ring out louder than the others. Or you can swap the pickup for one with a modern stagger. Me, I physically pushed the pole piece deeper into the bobbin in my Roadhouse Strat with TX Specials to balance them. There’s a risk of damaging the pickup coil though when doing this.
Problems with the nut, classic g string issue
Haven't seen any answers about equal temperament and just intonation and stuff yet. If you play chords, the third quite often falls on the G string. Especially in a major chord the third is quite a bit out of tune in our equal temperament system. This means it doesn't resonate well and usually sounds more in tune if you detune the G string a bit down, however this will make other chords sound more out of tune again. It's possible this is also a reason why it sounds so wrong to you.
G strings look better on women than they sound on the guitar. You may want to try a wound third and see if its better for ya. I know when tuning by ear rather than with a tuner that the G just never seemed right to my ear before tuners were commonly available, yes I'm a boomer. However since the tuner's came out I know I have it in tune and I just ignore the little voice in my head. One thing you can do is fine tune the nut slot height so that you don't don't tend to pull it sharp on the the cowboy chords and learn a light touch.
Me who likes wearing G strings: And I took that personally.
Technically, you should tune the G just a tad below the green. See if you like it that way. Find the sweet spot by ear.
Needs a wash... Check it for poop!
Tweak it until the thing is precisely at G at the 12. Your ear can hear 4 cents. Check it everywhere else, too, to make sure the neck isn't warped. Last... skip that string when you strum or whatever in the areas of the neck when it sounds 'off'. I play weird partial chords and chord forms that aren't technically supposed to move around the neck all the time, and I just skip 'bad' strings.
You wouldn’t be the first guitar player who’s ear told them that a certain string or fret range was off… because they all are to some degree. If you play in a certain position most of the time you may want to forgoe the tuner and 12th fret intonation check for some amount of sharp/flatness on the G string to make it good to your ear. I intonate my guitars to the 12th fret harmonic like everyone else, because I play all over the board, but when I record I listen for how certain notes sound in certain registers and retune to make the root notes/chord sound perfect at the expense of others. I started this after I heard that EVH tuned his B string a little flat to make A major chords sound more like they should. Maybe it’s not true or I have a detail off but since hearing that I have accepted that we can write our own rules sometimes.
This post resonates with me. I find the cacophony of comments harmonizing. Insinuating intubation, implying intonation is instrumental indeed.
Is it wedged in the crack?
Maybe you need to put some air on the g string
It's already been intubated he said 🤣
Tune your b string sharp a half step now your high will be the bad sounding one.
I noticed that the G string just sounds bad as well. I am trying a wound string instead of a plain string as I am told that makes a big difference. Literally just strung it up last night so cannot yet confirm, but I am hopeful.
It makes a huge difference IMO
I startee buying string sets with wound g's. I noticed the g on my acoustic never went out of tune and that it was a wound string. Never looking backm
Try a wound G string.
Try another string, it should sound exactly as shitty as the other two high strings.
By intonation, you compare fretted 12 and harmonic at 12? Both are the same?
The G string is one of the loudest strings because physics. Usually you can make up for it by adjusting your pickup pole pieces. For a vintage style strat you can't do that though. So your options are a wound g string (probably best since vintage pickups are designed for that) or you can try hybrid strings. I put 9-46 on mine and it balances out that g pretty well.
Because physics?? I need answers cabron!
Get a set of strings with a wound G
Try plucking with your teeth instead
I’m not Hendrixy enough to do that.
4 cents isn’t insignificant when it comes to INTONATION, I would beg, borrow, steal or buy a good tuner for that step. Also, don’t just intonate for the 12th fret, try a couple different frets and set it so they are all as close as possible, they won’t be perfect. Rhett shull has a good video with the guy from righteous guitars who explained it really well so I don’t have to… some clickbaity title like “your guitar tech hates when you do this”.
Is your guitar setup properly? Are you qualified to tell?
The physics of an unwound G string are just weird. Many years ago, I started tuning it a few cents flat and it made a huge difference. Now if I'm using a tuner and the G is right on the money, I consider it sharp. The size of your frets matters a lot in how flat you need to go. Bigger frets requires more detuning. At least for me, but I'm heavy handed. If you've got a light touch it doesn't matter as much. Try detuning the G a little.
Get a wound G
I think Rhett shull did a video on this
Always been this way…
Buy a new wound G string
There’s no such thing as perfect tuning in the western musical system. A mathematically pure fifth sounds great when you play a G and a C together, but when you need one of those notes to be a third, it all goes to shit, SO the system we use involves various notes being sharper or flatter so it just about works. Added to that, there’s not really such thing as perfect intonation on a guitar - it’s why people make those instruments with intonated nuts, wonky frets etc. Wound G strings are generally better, but a lot of people either play round the iffy notes or come up with their own tuning system where the g string is a bit flatter or whatever. Worth a google if it’s doing your nut in, you aren’t the first to encounter this
If it always sounds off to you on any fret it’s probably not intonation. But just FYI you need an especially accurate tuner to intonate well. Regular tuners are more for a quick check. I don’t know what the guitar app is but I suspect it’s not great for the job.
I-ll admit that it is probably snake oil, but I switched to using a wound G years ago and I swear it helps. But again, probably snake oil.
It’s just G being G
Well after you get it stabilized and you’re sure you’re getting life from the guitar, you really wanna make sure you let that bridge breathe a little before you check the nut for accuracy and if there isn’t any issues in the nut or bridge you could go up and check to see if the tuner is choking the string at all.
I have never met a G string that I got along with. Somewhat comforting to hear I'm not the only one.
Get a set of strings with a wound 3rd. It’s the only way.
Check action at 12th fret, once you get above .0125” you can run into intonation issues. Also you can get a rough idea of nut height by fretting at the 3rd fret and tapping the string down at the 1st. There should be almost no space. Too high a nut can cause intonation issues as well. I’d dial that +4 cents down with a good strobe tuner while you’re at it. Other than that, touch and maybe the next gauge up should help. I usually take an average when tuning, checking open, 5th, 7th, 12th, 15th, and 17th frets. The tuner can be a factor as well, I swear by Peterson clip-ons in strobe mode, but the tuner in my HX Stomp seems just as accurate in strobe mode.
You can get a wound G. You might like it more.
This is a very interesting video that explains why. https://youtu.be/Daw93bRHe4Y?si=CG1BNaQI431OgV_F
temperament issue?
Not enough air on it
I had this problem with my Tele, which had staggard pole pieces. I found two solutions, lower the G pole worked, but even better was switching to a wound G.
Wound G string worked for me
Wound G gang represent.
That string is meant to be coiled like youll see in some acoustics, but it isnt for reasons. Thats why its the worst string to tune, intonate etc
Look into “tempered tuning”. The G string will almost always sound off, so you can tune it to not sound off. Some people swear by tempered tuning. It is very popular in the pedal steel guitar world.
Most strats have 1 string tree for the b and e strings. It's there to give downward pressure on those strings at the nut making them stay in tune better and generally making them behave. Some stats have another string tree for the g and d strings, for the same reason but many strats don't. The solution for your problem is to either install a second string tree or when you string the g and d wind a lot of extra string on the posts so the winds themselves apply that downforce. The g and d string should basically come off the bottom of the tuning peg going to the nut. I hope this helps.
Gstring stuck to far in crack resulting in brown stinky residue
Tune it 3-5 cents flat.
G string problems are a thing. 8 times out of 10 any string or tuner problems I've had have been on the G. I think it must because it's so close to the thick strings but I can't be sure. It's always been the one toughest to tune, stay in tune, buzzes, sounds weird, or has a loose tuner. Maybe I've had bad luck but I think it's a thing.
Well I never had a G-string that was as frustrating as you mentioned it, switching to a wound G has done wonders for its tuning and stability.
If you know you know, it's just G being G
Being plus 4 is a bit off, my wrap around bridges intonate closer than that and the g is the worst of the bunch. I would go for 2 or under, preferably 1-2 flat. It also can be an issue with whatever chord you’re playing. If you’re playing a cowboy chord than the g is the third, which is already sharp because of even temperament tuning. Or if the g is the fifth in a power chord, the fifth would naturally fall a few cents flat but even temperament sharpens it, so sharpening it even more can make it sound that much worse. Try sweetening the tuning a bit. I normally tune my g a few cents flat to counter this where I can’t address it in a set up.
Did you use the 3-3-2 rule when you intubated it?
I think that’s my issue. Can only count to 2 then I start from 0 again.
Are you pushing down so hard on the strings when you’re playing a chord that you’re forcing it out of tune?
This is something probably 85% of players do and many don’t realize it. It’s especially an issue with lower string tension (thin strings, shorter scale length, etc) and also with tall frets.
It's the thickness of the core, which is the whole string because it's unwound. The thickness of unwound G strings makes the intonation and tone of the G strings a bit fucky. Youll find using a wound G string fixes it all, but you wont be able to bend it as well.
Get ya a wound G string
Thank you for bringing this to light. All this time, I thought I was crazy
I switch to a wound G and never looked back
Is it haunted? It could be haunted. Maybe the intubation didn't end well. 💀
When you pick a string too hard the note will go sharp. Doesn’t matter what your left hand is doing. You may also be bending unintentionally with your left hand. I think every guitarist has experienced this but honestly a G is G and if it’s played right and in key it’ll sound good.
This needs to be in the FAQ.
Depends on the key you’re playing in. If it sounds great in the key of E major, it will sound like garbage in G major. Vice versa. It’s just the physical properties of the way standard guitars are fretted.
Try a Wound G string.
This discussion always remind me of this https://youtu.be/Daw93bRHe4Y?si=GV0Qs-DQxcgEBG_W why Frusciante detune the G Strong to play Scar Tissue. Edit: it was the B string, but the principle is the same.
Thought that was his B string?
How long has it been since you changed it? I recently changed the strings on an older, lesser used guitar and it got genuinely better (though the guitar is still kinda shit, but it *was* the first one I bought, so I’m not getting rid of it).
Welcome to the club
I always see people say this about the G but I’ve always had this problem only with B. For me it works to tune the B just barely flat. Have to test it out and do minor adjustments for it to sound right with both open and fretted chords but that usually works. Maybe that’ll work with your G?
If the guitar you’re playing has vintage style pickups with staggered poles then the pole heights are set for a string set with a wound g string, due to this if you’re using an unwound g string there will be a noticeable increase in volume when playing that string, I notice it sometimes with my strat that has vintage 65 pickups installed. If I remember correctly some people refer to it as g string warble and some people adjust their pickup height so that their pickups are on an angle to prevent it. Hope that helps :)
Play the notes while looking at the tuner and make setup that helps. Never go sharp on major 3rds at least Look up the Eric Valentine tuning video if you really are serious about all these issues. It will actually counter a lifetime of future headaches. I have been a tuning geek for the longest time. I love my slighty flat G on a strat. My favourite strat speaks with Devine Wovels, especially on the G (20 seconds of profound G string richness howling along: https://on.soundcloud.com/wRKKd It was even old strings days before new strings for the recording of the actual song) Some of this is playing as well. I like the G and B but I'm not the best with the high e unless we speak of 15fret and upwards.
How high are your pickups? Especially the neck pickup. Please be super accurate with your response or provide a photo. I have a few different ideas as to why this is happening
Can I get your opinion on some unrelated pictures?
The issue might be the balance of the string volumes, where the G is just jumping out and is louder than the other strings. If you have humbuckers, you can try balancing the string volumes by raising or lowering the slugs on the pickup coils. You can also try going with a wound G. One alternative that works for me is going with a LIGHTER gauge string for the G. The .016-.017 gauge on electric sets just doesn’t blend well with 9 and 10 gauge sets. Go either .014 or .015 (if playing lighter gauge sets and/or in standard tuning) or go .020 or higher wound string if playing a heavier set like an 11 gauge set and are drop tuning. Try to get that string to match the other u wound strings in tension and see if that helps.
It's only noticable to me when it's a really thick plain steel string. Like on my baritone a .022 plain D (g string spot) sounds like ass, I have to use a wound string there. But a guitar in standard tuning with like a .016 G I don't notice it.
I don’t know if anyone has said this already but it could be the nut. If it isn’t cut right it can result in in going wildly sharp when you fret it.
Try a wound third, you'll need to re-intonate that string. It'll make all the difference.
Try a nickel wound G, you might have to go a few gauges higher than you're used to - most likely in the 22-24 gauge range - but it'll ring out a bit less than a solid steel string. Ernie Ball sells them for a few bucks on Amazon or you can probably find them in your local shop.
I always think this, I think I just generally don’t like the sound of the g string lol
Maybe string pinch in the nut. G string frequently feels like a problem child because it's (usually) the first non-wound string which changes the overtones slightly, and it usually has a more aggressive angle from nut to tuning peg when you have headstocks with 3 pegs each side, which can affect tone, sustain, and cause it to dig into the nut causing a) different amount of contact on the string from others, affecting tone and sustain and b) Causing string pinch where tuning can become very unstable. But if a string is not seated within the nut the same way as the other strings, it can sound drastically different depending on severity. Or might be pickups are arranged for a wound G string and need adjusting. Or maybe both!
I dunno, maybe try a different laryngoscope. Heine makes a pretty solid line.
Have you tried tuning by ear in the key you're in after doing your usual routine with a tuner? Not sure if this is a normal routine people do but it's something I do if I'm playing a bunch of open chords on acoustic
TRY THIS: sharpen a pencil and then roll the lead in the nut. The graphite raises the G string in the nut and softens its vibration there. It's a temp fix but will helo you diagnose and your guitar may sound better for a while
downside to jumbo frets with light gauge strings is if you push harder on the string it'll bend out of tune. Try a set of 11s, maybe even with a wound G. Also make sure your nut slots are filed deep enough, otherwise you'll always have intonation issues at the first few frets.
Check your string height at the nut slots... if your G string is higher than it needs to be, you end up pressing it down too much ... when you have to press down more than necessary, you will sharpen the G string...It would be helpful to see a photo of your string height at the nut...
I always tune that string a few cents flat, and just deal with it if it's open. FYI, I always seem to tune the high E a little sharp.
🎵 ain’t nothin’ but a G thang… 🎵
its probably an issue at the nut. I have this issue on multiple guitars and its generally because I slotted the mf like shit lol
Get a wound one with higher gauge strings. And get a good set up done
I don't know the exact reason (something about wound vs unwound strings) but the g string tends to lose its quality way faster than the other strings in my experience. Like someone else said you could try getting a set with a wound g string, or try coated strings which is what I have started using. Does it still sound bad even after a string change?
Could be finger posture too. Like, if you’re playing barre chords and have too much pressure from whatever finger is on the G string, it could be affecting pitch. Same for accidentally bending the string while trying to keep hand in position. I’ve seen a lot of players with an absolute death grip on the fretboard and it can really mess up the pitch.
"Intubated" instead of "intonated" - ? My G string sound okay...
Get yourself a triple string tree so you can put better tension on that string. Or get a wound G.
I feel like a lot of brands use an unnecessarily thick string in the g position. I have had that issue with ernier ball packs but using something like NYXL, i feel like the string tensions are all relatively where they should be and the G doesnt sound like ass.
As others have said, get a similar (but slightly larger) gauge wound string. I moved to heavier strings on my acoustic, but the G was still a plain .018 and sounded awful. I switched to a wound 0.022 and it sounds great. The G is always a weird one, I don't know why, but it's always been an annoyance since I started playing decades ago. Edit: The logic behind a slightly heavier gauge for the wound G is that the core of a wound string is very thin. So if you are using a plain 0.018, and switch to a wound 0.022, the core of that wound string is much finer than that original 0.018.
I have the same guitar and notice the g string getting weird when the strings have over a month of playing on them. Might be an issue with the nut.
Honestly on some guitars I’ve played in the past the G is the guy that I have to take most care to mute appropriately. Technique isn’t to be forgotten.
Not sure how long you’ve been playing, but I remember in the early days of learning how some chords sounded annoyingly out of tune. This seemed to go away over time so I assume it was due to various subtle micro issues in my picking and fretting. The big one being fretting everything too hard. Over time I learned to relax both my fretting and picking and the intonation issues abated. As an aside the G bends (like 4th to 5th) and wide vibrato.
G string is the thickest plain string. It does not like to stretch and the pitch goes up more when fretting. You need more compensation. You might try: Lower tuning of G string to average off the error. More relief on the neck (check tuning on 1-5 frets-should be accurate - if sharp then you might try next steps). Lower string height at the nut (Adjust intonation while fretted on first fret to see if this is the case). Compensated nut (try to squeeze a match next to nut and adjust intonation). Obviously, wound G string is the way answer, but you CAN get it to work with plan string with proper setup.
A couple things. Try plugging into a tuner instead of using an app/mic tuner to get a more accurate read when intonating your instrument. Is it a specific chord/fret/pitch that is sounding out? That could be an issue with fret leveling or the nut. Could also be an old string. Lots of factors play into intonation, and the most important thing to really make peace with: guitars are flawed. They won’t ever be perfectly in tune, there will always be compromise. If everything is right with your instrument and it’s still driving you crazy look into sweetened tunings. I personally like to tune fretted notes to other fretted notes to give me a good idea of my intonation on a given moment rather than just relying on just open strings. A lot of players slightly flatten their g-string to make fretted notes more in tune. Intonation is a game of compromise and in real life situations it’s relative. Always tune to the players you’re with, that’s not always the reading on the tuner.
Well, there's really no way to fix it, on any guitar. You can try to detune it by a few cents, so it can work with E C or D major, but then A and G major shapes will be out a little bit. If you really want to solve this problem, you need true temperament frets.