Problem...Is it the electric tuner or the guitar?

[krugjr]

Almost didn't write cuz I feel a little stupid.....but you all have been helpful with my questions, so here's the deal. I have a Hardwire HT-2 Chromatic Tuner....plug in my 855 and my new 514 and no problem, read the lights, tune the string.....Now my new GS Mini...I end up having to fine tune it by ear cuz the tuner outright misses a couple of the strings, especially the low E, it shows in tune but it is way sharp. I'm not a tech, so I think either it's a bad set of strings or the neck and construction of a mini is just "less" than the other models. I hesitate to have local store tech check it out cuz I didn't buy from them.....if that makes any sense to you guys.....they didn't have the mini hog in stock and couldn't even get a FLTD, but I still feel bad sometimes buying on line, and don't want the "that's what you get" line if there is a problem. Any ideas or advice?

[Edward]

You're tuning through the hardwire via cable, right?  So you're using the new GSm with the ES and not the ES-Go? (just trying to eliminate variables in my head).  Good battery if the ES?

Strings can definitely be to blame, especially if they're a bit old.  There's nothing about the construction of the GSm that would impair your tuner's ability to read the pup's signals so my money is on either a weak battery that's sending a poor signal or bad strings.  Have you tried a headstock tuner?

Edward

[krugjr]

Edward.....yes cables.....yes new ES system.....no, I don't have a headstock tuner.....I will try battery, and after that, strings, that would give me a chance to experience with light strings too, if I want.....thanks for feedback, I'll keep all posted...

[michaelw]

the mini has a 23.5" scale & comes from the factory with elixir 80/20 nanoweb mediums .013 - .056 -
when using a headstock contact pickup or tuner, like a snark, it may require
a bit of repositioning on the headstock in order to get a correct reading

when using a 1/4" cable in a guitar with a pickup, checking the battery in the tuner & guitar, if it has
an active pickup, checking the level on the guitar & testing the cable if there is difficulty in getting an
usable signal are all good ideas, provided the guitar has a good, strong balanced signal when plugged
into the sound reinforcement piece being using, whether it is an amp, PA, powered monitor, or an input
into a mixing board or interface when using digital software to record tracks with a computer HD or SS device -
if the signal is weak or unbalanced from the mini & the tuner/cable works fine with the ES & ES2, the ES-T
in the mini might  possibly have an improperly seated UST, which in turn can cause inaccurate tuner readings

[MexicoMike]

Tuners vary considerably in their ability…The tuner in my Digitech Vocalist live 3 cannot correctly tune my Taylor 414ce's 6th string if I tune to drop D.  It reads it as a "B."  It reads my HD28's drop D with no trouble.  The Taylor has the expression system, the Martin has a k&K mini system.  Is the issue the tuner, the strings, the pickup system?  No idea but my "Cleartune" iPhone App has no difficulty at all with either of them using an acoustic signal.

I have two different clip-on tuners - don't recall the brands because I haven't used them for months now - sometimes they tune really well…and sometimes they don't.

The clear tune app is what I use most of the time for tuning  though for tuning on stage it is not feasible due to ambient noise and the actual handling of the phone. Actually, it will work fine but you need to put the phone almost in contact with the guitar in that case and there's no easy/quick way to do that.  Usually I'm plugged into the Vocalist on stage so it handles the tuning well enough if necessary.  I don't do drop D songs on the Taylor normally anyway.

[mikeguywest]

That would be frustrating. I use a simple Snark headstock tuner on my GS8e and my Mini Hog, and it is consistently right every time. When the battery gets low the image just dims but continues to tune accurately.