Topmusicanswers
Excess pressure on the strings is a super common cause of tuning issues. Essentially the added pressure from spring loaded, elastic or cheaper capos squeezes the strings too much and pulls them out of tune. You'll often find that the thicker strings suffer more as the capo squeezes them against the fretboard.
- Why does my high E string sound out of tune?
- Does capo affect tuning?
- Do you retune after putting a capo on?
Why does my high E string sound out of tune?
If your high e string stays in tune when played open, but plays out of tune when fretted, then you most likely have something going on that is affecting your guitars intonation. Proper intonation is what makes a guitar's strings play in tune as you fret different notes on the fret board.
Does capo affect tuning?
Some capos can wreak havoc on tuning. ... Some models of capo apply so much pressure that the pitch of the strings can be pushed very noticeably sharp. And even though the capo may be applying the same pressure to all strings, the guitar will sound out of tune as the strings will not change pitch by the same amounts.
Do you retune after putting a capo on?
You're Using a Capo
So, there are two ways a capo affects your tuning. ... But really, you should tune once before you put the capo on, then again when it's in place to get your instrument where you want it. Of course, you'll have to retune after taking the capo off, but you knew that already.
