Tuner question

[toddw7]

Hello.

I might be over-thinking this and I'm not sure if I'll be able to explain it clearly. I just got a Boss TU-12 tuner, and it's pretty sensitive to subtle changes in pitch. When you pluck the low E string, for example, the initial attack causes a spike in pitch, which quickly goes flat by about 20 cents. How long after I pluck the string should I waint? Should I tune using the initial attack? Or should I wait a second or two after plucking the string so the needle levels off?

Thanks,
Todd

[Pursuit]

That is not limited to the TU-2, my better tuner does the same.

All I do to avoid this initial attack confusion is to not use a pick when tuning. If you hit it with your thumb, the pitch should be much easier to tell.

[Vim Fuego]

How 'bout this for a thorough discussion....

http://www.endino.com/archive/tuningnightmares.html

As for *why* which he doesn't explain, on the initial impulse the string tension is raised by the pick attack, as the deflection of the string gets smaller (amplitude decays) the tension returns to its normal value.

Jim

[toddw7]

Thanks guys. I will check out that article as well.