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Guitar Tuning (in Winter)
I live in Florida so winter is a relative term. Previously (in the warmer months) I would find my guitars slightly flat and have to tune up; this is what I normally would expect especially after installing new strings that would stretch out over time and need to be tightened. I started playing more regularly in July so that was consistently the state of my guitars for the most part.
It seems weird that I’m finding my guitars are frequently a little bit sharp on all strings and I have to tune them down these days. The temperatures have been dropping outside but I keep it around 77 in the house but probably the humidity has been dropping too.
I’m curious what other people’s experience is.
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9 Replies
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@langerking, changes in humidity usually will change how a guitar tunes up. When things get more humid, the wood naturally expands resulting in sharper notes. Less humidity usually results in flatter notes due to the wood shrinking. Much more prevalent on solid wood guitars. I’m in Utah where the humidity can drop to less than 10% in the winter. So, I see changes in how my guitars tune based on the relative humidity, even when keeping my instruments in a humidity controlled environment.
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Hi @langerking I find that in the winter my tuning tends to run flat, and the hot humid summers if anything, I run a little sharp. Keep in mind that indoor heating makes the relative humidity drop like a stone, so definately my humidity runs really low indoors in the winter (10-20%), which is why I try to pay attention to keeping my guitars in their cases with humidipacks during the winter months.
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So it’s strange that it has gone in the opposite direction for me. I am literally tuning my guitar down every few days because it has gone sharp on every string. This has been the case for about 3 weeks now since I returned from my vacation. The guitars are always in the same temperature controlled room, and don’t move more than a few feet daily.
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I maintain 72 degrees inside…I strive for 50 % humidity…when my humidity goes up my strings go sharp I have to re tune down as they are sharp…when my humidity goes down my strings go flat I have to re tune up as they are flat…been this way for years…I live in West Tennessee between Memphis and Nashville…
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My experience is same as @Rodeo747 , @langerking .
It is all about the humidity first. Temperature is relative not primary. People like a certain range of temps. Guitars like the same however they are more picky and react to humidity not temperature. Your metal strings will react to temps but not so much the wood. It is the humidity that will make your wood move. I have hygrometers in rooms where I play and store. I also keep one with me when I travel to see what is going on at any given moment. There are times when conditions are naturally good for leaving guitars out and there are extremes when I keep them cased (humidity controlled in case) until it is time to play.
Did I mention it yet? It is all about the humidity? : )-
In summer months I sometimes run my dehumidifier and in winter months I keep my cool mist humidifier going 24/7…I have 1 room dedicated to my guitars…this is minimal effort to protect my guitars investments…great thread here you guys…
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Most of us experience the exact opposite of what you describe wrt tuning up or down, but as you are in Florida, my guess is you have the A/C cranking in the summer resulting in a less humid environment and then with the A/C off in the winter, the humidity likely goes up resulting in the wood expanding a bit and you then having to tune down.
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Thanks for all your responses! Wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I’ll be taking a short break from playing due to travel but should be back at it by the 27th!
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Thanks, Godspeed, Merry Christmas to you!
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