Tuning Mystery

[joethebaddog]

Hey guys!
Every morning when I first pick up a guitar I find it is inevitably out of tune...sharp! All strings about the same! And not just on one guitar but on every one I pick up. Even basses! Trying to figure this out is drivin' me nuts.
I don't think it's a humidity thing because I've lived in different places, although in the same state, and it's happened wherever I live. One possible clue - the guitars in question are ones I keep out on stands, facing forward. But if anything I would think this would cause less tension, not more. Any thoughts ?
joe

 

[mindwave_21]

Does it get really cold at night? It may not be a humidity issue but rather a temperature issue. It sounds like the ones you leave out are having the strings contract in length due to colder temperature when left overnight on their stands. That would explain why the strings are out of tune sharp at least. When you check your guitars, is it early morning or the same time as when you last tuned it?

 

[snipeguy]

Yup. Temperature. If all the guitars are sharp then it has got colder. They go flat as it gets warmer. I have lots of experience with cold guitars up here in the frozen North.