Hi there Everybody,

Over the years, I've had more grief tuning the B string than I've had with all the other 5 put together. One reason is the problem with string-lengths and saddle compensation that several contributors have already mentioned. But I still get this problem (though not so badly) since I got a guitar with a staggered saddle. I suspect the reason is as follows.

Of all the intervals in the major scale, the major third (C-E, or G-B) is the one where the equally tempered scale and the 'natural' scale are most at variance (I believe the ET major 3rd is about 17% sharp of the natural one.) Even those of us with tin ears can usually spot the difference. And even if we don't understand why, it gives us an uncomfortable feeling, and an urge to give the aberrant string a little tweak. From which point, it is often a short road to disaster. (A road I've trodden many, many times.)

Now, is it just a coincidence that in the standard guitar tuning, the 3rd (G) and 2nd (B) are the only pair of open strings with a major 3rd interval between them?

When you play the standard G chord, that sharp 3rd between the G & B strings usually sounds a bit off. But if you take the B down till it sounds right, and then switch to a standard C chord, the major 3rd interval between C on the 2nd and E on the 1st becomes even wider, and sounds even harsher. At this point, I used to start twisting tuners at random, till chaos reigned.

("Untune that string, and hark what discord follows". Shakespeare: Troilus and Cressida)

There are a few tricks that have helped me to get on top of this problem (most of the time). Anyone else is welcome to them.

1) When practising alone, tune all 6 open strings to a reliable electronic tuner. Then play for a few minutes to warm up yourself and the guitar, and check the tuning electronicaly again. After that – LEAVE IT ALONE!

2) When playing in a session with fixed-pitch instruments (like squeeze-boxes or harmonicas) tune to them. If they play mostly in G and D (as box-players often do) tune your open G and D strings to them first – then settle the other strings by fretting them where they should give a G or D note, and adjusting the peg till the note sounds right. If they play mostly in E and A (like blues harmonica players), tune those notes first.

3) When arranging accompaniments, try to use chord shapes that have only one third in them – and try to make sure that it's not one of the highest notes in the chord (the harsh edge is more noticabe there). When playing a standard G chord, stop the 2nd string at 3rd fret to give a D, rather than the open string B. On a standard C chord, use the 4th finger to hold down the G note on 1st string 3rd fret. And so forth.

4) Before playing, or tuning your guitar, spend a few minutes playing familiar tunes on a fixed pitch instrument (harmonica, electric keyboard etc), just to get your ears limbered up. It will make tuning (and singing) much easier than doing either from a cold start

Wassail!