I tuned my guitar using an electric tuner, but it still does not sound right when I strum.?

Question

I tried tuning my acoustic guitar using an eletric guitar tuner. It says each note is right on, but when I strum them all open I get a very harsh sound. Can any one tell me what is wrong?

Answer 1

I would agree with megaman, a cheap tuner probably

Answer 2

probably a cheap tuner, believe it or not theres a huge difference in tuners.  i tune by ear because i have relative pitch, but you probably need to invest in a good tuner.  the other possibility is that your action is off, which means that when you press down on a fret, trying to play a G for example, it is actually a little bit higher or lower than a G because the fret is in the wrong place.

edit: cbjr is right, i didn't catch that, try making a chord too.

Boss makes excellent tuners, as does Korg, but the best are Peterson.  however, peterson is very expensive, over 100 dollars usually, not worth it for most.

Answer 3

I have the small tuners that mount on the head of the guitars and pick up the VIBRATIONS rather than using a microphone.  I have found them much more accurate, especially when there is loud music in the background... they are cheap and I have them on all my guitars.

Answer 4

If you are tuning to standard and then strumming all open, it will sound like c**p. You are not forming any chords.  Play a chord and see what it sounds like.