If you are using an electronic tuner and it is telling you the guitar is in tune, yet it still doesn’t sound right to you, there are a couple of things you can check.
First, make absolutely sure you are using the tuner properly. I only harp on this because of the number of times a student has raised this concern, only to find out they misunderstood exactly how to use the tuner.
If you’re certain that you and the tuner are on good terms, it may be that your guitar’s intonation is off. That means that even though the open strings register as “in tune” according to the tuner, they do not hold their good tuning as you fret higher and higher up the neck. This is due to a misalignment of the neck of the guitar.
Have a professional take a look at it. Tell them you suspect the intonation is off, and they should know what to look for. It could be that your guitar needs a simple routine neck adjustment, or it could be a more serious problem, like warping.
Return to Home Page
SUBSCRIBE to GUITAR LIFE. Click Here.
Guitar Life 
Sometimes new strings will help as well. I have noticed that some guitars will sound in tune when playing an E major chord but out of tune when you play a C major chord. And if you adjust to tune in the C, the E then goes out of tune. Have you ever run into this?
That tuning problem most likely has to do with the intonation of your guitar. You should have it checked by a luthier. You may need to have the neck adjusted.
i have a ESP/LTD M-50 electric. and i mainly play in drop c but i can never get it to go in tune, so i just play in drop d now. and even that’s not going in tune AT ALL. its a brand new guitar as well.
Hi Cody,
Do you have trouble keeping it in tune even when it is in standard tuning? The “Drop” tunings result in looser strings, which may be a contributing factor. Also, the gauge of your strings may possibly be a factor. If it continues to be a problem, I’d suggest having it checked out by a pro. It’s awful to want to play, and yet be working with an instrument that won’t quite behave!
You could try checking your tuning using the following method:
1) Play a harmonic on the 12th fret of the bottom E string.
2) Play the fretted note at the same fret. It should be the same as the harmonic.
3) Do the same on the other strings.
If any of the strings are out the intonation needs adjusting. You can use the fine tuners near the bridge if you have some. If you are not feeling that brave, take the guitar into a shop for a set up.