string tension

[jimistone]

Should the string tension be loosened on acoustic guitars when they are not in use or do most of you guys keep them tuned to pitch at all time?
I'm just wondering if keeping them tuned to picth all the time will hasten the need for a neck reset in the future.
Also, is there a down side to keeping no string tension on the guitar most of the time (when not being played)?
Most of my experience is with electric guitars and laminate acoustics and I keep them tuned to pitch all the time...solid wood acoustics seem more fragile though.

 

[Bikerdoc]

This could be interesting. I keep my guitar strings in tune but not necessarily in pitch. I have to tune up around other guitarists.

Peace

 

[JerryR]

I keep them at full pitch (6 string - there is a school of thought that 12 strings be kept 'one down'). However when I flew with the guitar, where there was a risk it could be consigned to hold luggage where it can get a bit cold (increasing string tension) I slacked off all the strings one whole tuner turn as a precaution.

 

[taabru45]

Smart to loosen the strings when flying Jerry, less chance of the head breaking off if dropped. I have always pretty much left the strings in tune, but also used light strings, and my guitars although 30 years old plus....don't require neck sets...maybe I'm just lucky, but with the two Guilds of 77 and 80...??? :lol: 8) Steffan ( F50R and F512R

 

[JerryR]

Smart to loosen the strings when flying Jerry, less chance of the head breaking off if dropped. I have always pretty much left the strings in tune, but also used light strings, and my guitars although 30 years old plus....don't require neck sets...maybe I'm just lucky, but with the two Guilds of 77 and 80...??? :lol: 8) Steffan ( F50R and F512R

I'd also padded the neck above and below the headstock so there was no chance of whiplash :!:

 

[dreadnut]

No need to tune down except when flying or shipping, jimi.

 

[killdeer43]

No need to tune down except when flying or shipping, jimi.

My thoughts, exactly.
In and around mi casa, everybody's ready to play at all times! It would be a slight drag to have to tune up each time I'm inspired to crank out a tune or two, or three, or..... :wink:

Joe

 

[Paddlefoot]

Taylor recently had a segment on this in their Wood & Steel publication. According to them it's better to leave them tuned to pitch as the truss rod is set to balance the tension on the neck. I leave mine all tuned to pitch except the 12 string which I tune down a step all the time anyway. As far as any bad effects of lowering the tension I think the worst would be that it would take some time for the instrument to settle in under the new tension and it probably wouldn't sound it's best and would probably be shifting it's tuning until it did settle in.

 

[West R Lee]

The only other time I tune down is if I have one that I know will not be played for a good while for whatever reason.

West

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I have 2 guitars from the early 80's that have always been tuned to pitch.
Not a neck problem with either of them.

 

[12stringer]

Here is something that I just heard recently...The older a string is, the more tension it needs to bring it up to pitch. This is because as the string ages it stretches and has to be strung tighter to maintain it's pitch (Apparently). So this could explain why my strings were breaking at the saddle after being used for about 5 months...I hadn't changed them because being coated strings (EXP'S) they still sounded good. I also was giving them a wipe with light mineral oil on a rag to keep them sounding lively.
I figure the mineral oil may also lube the string and prevent fret wear?
Every little bit helps.

 

[kyguild]

Don't know if it is the correct method or not, but I have always kept all of my guitars tuned to concert pitch, including my F-212XL. I also only change one string at a time on the 6 strings (2 at at time on the 12 string), and tune the new string(s) to pitch before I go on to changing the next string. Just seems to make common sense to me, if the truss rod is adjusted to counteract the string tension, removing a string or taking tension off the strings for an extended period of time would tend to get the balance of forces on the neck out of whack.

 

[chazmo]

I think Guild 12s are built to handle tuning to pitch. I agree with what you guys are saying -- that unless you're traveling or shipping you're fine.

That said, if you're not paying attention to humidity, or if you're storing the guitar for a long period of time, then string tension can take its toll.

All this said, I tune all my 12s down at least a half step and usually more.

 

[West R Lee]

Don't know if it is the correct method or not, but I have always kept all of my guitars tuned to concert pitch, including my F-212XL. I also only change one string at a time on the 6 strings (2 at at time on the 12 string), and tune the new string(s) to pitch before I go on to changing the next string. Just seems to make common sense to me, if the truss rod is adjusted to counteract the string tension, removing a string or taking tension off the strings for an extended period of time would tend to get the balance of forces on the neck out of whack.

That actually is the correct way to change strings Ky. I never do it and just pull all of mine off and slap new ones on it. I'd guess the reason they say to change them one at a time would be so that you don't cause abrupt changes in neck stress....makes sense.

West

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

One string at a time, with the exception of once a year, they all come off and the neck gets a coat of oil.
When I do this, it takes a day for the neck to settle in and stay in tune.

 

[Paddlefoot]

What kind of "oll" TMG? I use Kyser lemon oil on mine or Dr. Duck's Ax Wax. Both seem to work fine.

 

[adorshki]

Here is something that I just heard recently...The older a string is, the more tension it needs to bring it up to pitch. This is because as the string ages it stretches and has to be strung tighter to maintain it's pitch (Apparently). So this could explain why my strings were breaking at the saddle after being used for about 5 months...I hadn't changed them because being coated strings (EXP'S) they still sounded good. I also was giving them a wipe with light mineral oil on a rag to keep them sounding lively.
I figure the mineral oil may also lube the string and prevent fret wear?
Every little bit helps.

The "string stretching" is a myth, it's miniscule compared to the more probable cause: the ball end of the string is riding up inside the slots of the bridge pins. If you're breaking strings at the saddle the break angle is probably a little too sharp, what's going on is that's a focal point for metal fatigue just like when you kink a wire several times it breaks at that spot. Or maybe you just have a heavy playing hand, I can relate to that 'cause I do myself occasionally. Lastly I wouldn't allow mineral oil anywhere near my fretboard or anyplace else on the guitar. There're other products with natural oils designed to keep them from drying out, I don't think mineral oil would be good for the fretboard. Don't mean to sound overbearing I just hope this info'll help you get more from your instruments. Check out Frets.com for more insights.

 

[adorshki]

I have 2 guitars from the early 80's that have always been tuned to pitch.
Not a neck problem with either of them.

Like he said: All mine always kept at pitch, no neck problems and rarely need truss adjusts. F65 was kept strung with lights instead of xtra lights for about 5 years and developed a little bellying. Adjusted truss when re-stringing with xtra lights, took a couple of weeks to "settle in", now stays in tune and bellying is almost gone.
D25 and D40 strung with lights (.012) as per factory specs.

 

[JerryR]

Don't know if it is the correct method or not, but I have always kept all of my guitars tuned to concert pitch, including my F-212XL. I also only change one string at a time on the 6 strings (2 at at time on the 12 string), and tune the new string(s) to pitch before I go on to changing the next string. Just seems to make common sense to me, if the truss rod is adjusted to counteract the string tension, removing a string or taking tension off the strings for an extended period of time would tend to get the balance of forces on the neck out of whack.

That actually is the correct way to change strings Ky. I never do it and just pull all of mine off and slap new ones on it. I'd guess the reason they say to change them one at a time would be so that you don't cause abrupt changes in neck stress....makes sense.

West

I do it the 'one at a time' way, but if I wanted to treat the fretboard with oil I guess I'd have to take the lot off.

 

[adorshki]

Hi Jerry:Shouldn't need to do that more than once a year anyway. I take 'em all off and restring from the center out, but don't bring 'em fully up to pitch until they're all installed, never had any issues.