Elapidae - Posted - 11/03/2013:  15:26:54

Hey gang......I got my first chromatic tuner today.....clips to the head stock....seems to be working fine.....strings 2,3,4 ( B,G, D) are tuning fine but the 1st string I just can't seem to get right. It's sounds somewhat close but goes from B to E and will not tune to D......I'm using the fender ft-004 chromatic tuner. Here are the two it keeps going from this to the one below....am I doing something wrong with this particular string?

To this:  

Edited by - Elapidae on 11/04/2013 10:02:59

shannonhearne - Posted - 11/03/2013:  16:00:03

Hello,

It is a new tuner. It should work without any problems.

I would return it for another new tuner.

I have had very good experiences with many brands of tuners. However, my experience with Korg Tuners has been the best. I have one Korg that I have had for 15 years, and it still works great..

Buy a Korg.

= shannaon

jduke - Posted - 11/03/2013:  16:02:45

Clip on tuners can often times pick up sympathetic vibrations from the other strings.  Cover up (mute) all the strings except the one your are tuning and this will usually allow the tuner to read and respond to the string being tuned.

jwoods - Posted - 11/03/2013:  16:28:52

I would agree with shannonhearne...I wouldn't expect a new tuner to be off.

You might try changing the batteries. If that doesn't help, I would return it.

Snark and Planet Waves are two popular tuners.

thisoldman - Posted - 11/03/2013:  17:06:51

Like jduke says, mute the other strings. I have the same problem on my tenor when tuning the first string, and I have to make sure the other strings are muted (especially the 3rd string).  Also, tune from "low" to "high", if you aren't already.  In other words, start with the needle on the left, tighten the string so the needle moves to the right (clockwise) until  on target.  This is all assuming the strings aren't new or are not slipping on the tuner post. Hope this helps.

rudy - Posted - 11/03/2013:  17:13:19

The problem you show can be occasionally noted using electronic tuners.  It's usually caused from the tuner "hearing" other harmonics contained within the note you're attempting to tune.  Often moving the tuner a bit to another position will totally change this type of response.  Do try that, and the same thing can occur when the batteries become weak, but not likely in your cited case. 

Elapidae - Posted - 11/03/2013:  17:18:53

I'm not 100% convinced I'm not doing something wrong. I've only had the banjo for month or so and this the first time I've ever tried to tune anything. Tuner is brand new and battery was in an unopened package also. I've tinkered with this particular string a few times in past few weeks so it may just be way off and my noobie ears just don't realize it. The others strings seem to tune ok so I really just don't know. I watched a you tube video on how to tune and followed it step by step but again it's my first time attempting it.

I read on one site that if I hold down the 2nd string, third fret it would sound the same as the first string should sound.......when I do that on the 2nd string, it sounds right but I can't seem to replicate that's tone with the firstly string. That's why I am wondering if maybe I just have the tuning peg turned completely in wrong direction.

This is a really noob question but are there notes between the B and E?? Is it just like an alphabet and if I turn the tuning peg slowly enough, technically it should go from note to note (b-->c-->d-->e), correct? Any chance I just haven't turned the peg enough and I'm just way off? I practice almost everyday but have spent most of the time working on basics like alternating thumb rolls, etc. First attempt with tuning...

Thanks again -

rudy - Posted - 11/03/2013:  18:06:29

Brian,

You might have better luck using a good on-[ine tuning demonstration such as this:

ezfolk.com/banjo/Tutorials/G_T...ning.html

I'll also suggest you get a teacher to at least demonstrate tuning and a few chords and rolls to practice.  It could save you a lot of time, and probably a few broken strings, too.

sfeatherston3 - Posted - 11/03/2013:  18:33:24

Probably showing my ignorance here, but that tuner looks like the one I have and it is easy to accidentally change the key while trying to turn it off. Tapping the button changes key. You have to hold it down to power it off. Not sure if that would cause your problem, but maybe your tuner is accidentally set to some alternate tuning?

Edited by - sfeatherston3 on 11/03/2013 18:37:43

usmc2msu - Posted - 11/03/2013:  18:53:53

Maybe the string was never tunable due to not enough wraps. It sure sounds like the issue to me. Hope you can figure it out.

rudy - Posted - 11/03/2013:  20:33:35

quote:

---

Originally posted by sfeatherston3

 

Probably showing my ignorance here, but that tuner looks like the one I have and it is easy to accidentally change the key while trying to turn it off. Tapping the button changes key. You have to hold it down to power it off. Not sure if that would cause your problem, but maybe your tuner is accidentally set to some alternate tuning?

---

Bingo.  The blurb at the official Fender FT-004 product site says the tuner has selectable modes for various instruments.  If it is accidentally switched to anything other than chromatic mode all of the notes will not be sensed.

mikeyb2 - Posted - 11/04/2013:  08:38:38

Possibly the G shown on the bottom right represents the guitar tuning mode, not the banjo or chromatic mode.

Elapidae - Posted - 11/04/2013:  09:01:39

Bingo!!! That's it. I thought the "G" setting was for open G.....it was for Guitar. Changed to chromatic and it tuned very quickly.  

Thanks a bunch :)

Someone mentioned possible lessons.....I have spent much of my time watching youtube videos of Peter Wernick learning the rolls and also tinkering with Joff Lowson's beginner cripple creek videos. Feel really good for only having the banjo a month or so and love practicing. Obviously the right hand with the picking is much easier that the frets :) 

I looked at some basic tabs with happybanjodude's website but mainly trying to just practice good habits at this point. Would I benefit at my early stage from getting lessons or should I continue to use the wealth of info online? Lessons aren't cheap so just want to make sure they are of good value for the cost....thanks for any insight!!

Brian

thisoldman - Posted - 11/04/2013:  09:39:00

Glad the problem was found.  I don't know if you can edit your original post, but if you can, you might put the model of the tuner (Fender FT-004) in the title of the post so that anybody searching about how to use that particular tuner can find it easier with a search.  As an alternative, think about posting a review of the tuner in the "reviews" section of the BHO.

Edited by - thisoldman on 11/04/2013 09:40:26

Elapidae - Posted - 11/04/2013:  10:03:49

Done...I was able to change the thread title.

thisoldman - Posted - 11/04/2013:  12:18:33

Thanks for the change.  This site works so well because of all the helpful people that post replies to questions and review products that are useful to people like me that are  new to the banjo.

sfeatherston3 - Posted - 11/04/2013:  18:30:43

Well I learned something too. I thought those letters were keys or pitches or whatever, like the musical notes G and C. I had no idea they stood for Guitar and Chromatic. I was wondering why it sounded better in "c" than "g". After all, the banjo is supposed to be in G, right? "So what is up with that?" thought I. Now I know.

Maybe I need to look for the "b" mode, for buffoon.