Can't get acoustic back in tune after car ride

[Ricklh]

Over the weekend I had my Takamine acoustic in the trunk of my car, traveled about 60 miles total. Since bringing it back into the house, I can't seem to get it back in tune, something seems to be off. Before, it would keep good tuning but now it's near impossible to tune to sound good with chord changes. What could have happened? The josseling around in the trunk? (It was in a soft case). Or, the cool weather we had here last Sunday? I'm gonna change strings and see if that helps but I have a feeling that won't solve the problem.

 

[boingoman]

The neck may have changed a bit. The guitar either gained or lost some humidity, with weather changes and being in the trunk.

Do you know how to check the neck and adjust your truss rod if it needs it?

 

[Ricklh]

The neck may have changed a bit. The guitar either gained or lost some humidity, with weather changes and being in the trunk.

Do you know how to check the neck and adjust your truss rod if it needs it?

Not really, but there's a local instrument repair shop in town that's very good at this.

 

[gibsonguy09]

Just like boingoman said the neck could've warped some. MY friend's dad left his MARTIN in the back of his truck over a winter night(yah that was stupid) adn the varnish cracked and it wouldn't go back in tune for a long time. He had to change the strings. He left it in his case with a humidifier. Might want to try that.

 

[Zaphod B]

It's not unusual for acoustics to lose tune when they have been exposed to temperatures and humidity other than their "norm." Particularly if the instrument has gone from extremes in humidity, it may take the guitar two or three days to reacclimate itself to its normal home environment.

I'd just let it sit for a day or two, tune it, play it, and it'll probably be just fine.

My Martin D-28 (1963) used to travel with me everywhere, and was often exposed to extremes. I would always let it warm or cool within its case, and it was fine after a retuning. The neck has never warped, although the sound board has bowed a bit due to stress from the bridge.