Intonation all whacked out

[travelin travis]

I came home the other day to find my acoustic guitar tuned way down. One of my room mate's said he had been playing it which is cool, but while playing it, he tuned it up a whole step and then down a whole step. The intonation is all whacked out now. Could the tuning up/down have hurt my guitar? I'll be pissed if it's messed up. It's my favorite guitar ever. I hoping that when I change the strings, everything will be ok. Maybe the strings got over stretched?

 

[daav]

Never mind, i posted a huge thing about doing a manual setup, then realized you were posting about an acoustic. My bad. Move along, nothing to see here.

 

[Zaphod B]

First of all, don't let that idiot touch your guitar again.

I wouldn't worry about changing the strings right now. Just tune it to pitch and leave it alone for a few days. It should be all right.

Oh, and don't let that idiot touch your guitar again.

 

[Hawk Studio]

I never heard of such a thing but that doesnt mean anything. I constantly tune my acoustics up and down and have never had any trouble. Tuning up is rough on strings though.

On my last recording project I tuned my Ovation 12 string down to an open C and left it there for the entire week I did the guitar tracks. After reading this thread I ran to the studio to check it. No problem.

if there is a problem doing this I would certainly like to know. My Balladeer is my "baby" and wouldnt want it hurt.

 

[faderbug]

i don't see how tuning up or down a step can do something with your 'intonation'??????

 

[Codmate]

I can't see how this would wreck intonation.
People are constantly tuning their acoustics to different keys etc.

How old are the strings out of interest?

 

[Hawk Studio]

Check the back of the bridge to see if it is lifting. That'll do it.
If not, he only "wildest scenerio" thing that I can see happening is that if the guitar had a cheap plastic bridge and the strings might cut into it a little, but jeez, I cant even see that happening. Even if it did it would only have the slightest affect on intonation.
I would change the strings, tune it to key, wait a day or so and then check it.

You should use string diameters that the manufacturer recommends as that does affect intonation, especially on acoustics as they cant be adjusted. I believe acoustics are intonated to a certain string set.

B strings are always problematic on acoustics. Does your have a split type saddle?