Guitar strings

[c00ky83]

When I re-tune my guitar, nearly all the strings need to be tuned down, i.e. loosened.  This seems unusual to me in terms of physics, as if I leave it standing a few weeks, the tension ought to slacken the strings.  They need physical force to tighten and become higher pitch, so how can this happen?

[rojash]

Yeah, I found the same on my bouzouki. The only explanation I could come up with (and it's just a guess) was that the coefficient of expansion of the truss rod was greater than that of the strings (It only seems to happen in hot weather).

[Gibboman]

Hi! I'm a Guitar Tech, so I know a little about Guitars. The reason your strings are getting Tighter(hence the pitch raises) is because the neck of your instrument is moving backwards i.e. stretching the strings. This takes place either because the truss rod in the neck is too tight for the gauge of strings or the wood in the neck is still moving. This happens a lot with newer instruments. If you have changed to a lighter gauge of strings the pitch will raise as the truss rod pulls back. It's all a matter of a happy medium and balance between the strings, truss rod and the wood in the neck.

Try changing the strings to a lighter gauge with a Floyd Rose Tremelo System and all will become apparent.