When tuning, which pickup to use?

[wifiabc]

For a strat with a 5-way switch and 3 pickups (neck, middle, bridge), which pickup should be used when tuning the guitar? Thanks.

 

[LiQuiFireX]

It doesnt matter, any positon will do.

 

[kahuna]

No right or wrong actually, but i'd use the the loudest and clearest pickup

 

[dmitry_a]

If your using a headstock piezo tuner, you're using the vibration through the wood so pickups don't matter. I'm guessing that if your using a microphone type tuner it shouldn't matter as well.

 

[lamestaine]

try using neck pickup, then roll your tone knob all the way down

 

[donutator]

Neck pickup.

 

[firdaus]

sir i really think you can use any one i think it does not matter just make sure that the guitar is in tuned

 

[dudelove]

try using neck pickup, then roll your tone knob all the way down

Really? I've never heard of such a thing.

Can you explain why you do this?

 

[TheoryD]

My tuner is the kiap on headstock one, no pick up used. Lol. Does it matter?
Lol.

 

[EugeneSmasher]

In my opinion, if wifiabc is using a clip-on digital tuner or plug-in tuner, it really doesn't matter which pickup is being used. In fact, you don't even need to have it plugged in, since these tuners rely on vibrations.

Personally, I'd switch to the neck pickup with tone to the max, and with as clear a sound from the amp as possible (not difficult since it's a singlecoil pickup) and use my A-440 tuning fork :mrgreen:. Grew sick and tired of rapidly fluctuating needles on digital tuners.

 

[firdaus]

i am also curios lamestaine why must you use the neck pickup and the tone rolled down:mrgreen:

 

[lamestaine]

Really? I've never heard of such a thing.

Can you explain why you do this?

hmm i read somewhere.. hard to explain..

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

read that under 'some tuning tricks'

i am also curios lamestaine why must you use the neck pickup and the tone rolled down:mrgreen:

oh no no its not a must.. just telling ts what i normally do

 

[donutator]

I've found that when using the neck pickup with the tone knob rolled off the pitch dosent jump around as much, making it easier to tune.

 

[fgl]

for me any pup - I used open 12 fret harmonics which I find a bit more easier as both my hands would be then free after strike that note - one hand to adjust tuner & one hand to hold guitar steady in my normal playing condition

makes absolutely no diff ... its what I do at gigs - when I'm doing set ups it diffirent of course

What is important is geting the guitar tuned ..

 

[Whitestrat]

Actually, if you are using the traditional 5th and 7th fret harmonics to tune, then only the Bridge pickup should be used. The neck and middle pups will not pick up the 5th harmonic as well. This method is good to ensure the tuning is well done with regards to any scale length. But suitable only for 1st 4 strings. The high 2 strings are tuned using the 4th and 5th fret, natrual note. (non-harmonic)

 

[farinelli]

I normally use the bridge pickup on my strat when I'm tuning by ear since it gives the sharpest tone. For my ears at least, that tone helps to distinguish the annoying details in pitch, rather than the neck pup which sounds fantastic but otherwise is really unhelpful when tuning. But yeah, as far as contact tuners are concerned, I'm using my eyes not ears

 

[wifiabc]

Thanks everybody for sharing your experience.

Sorry I forgot to mention that I'm using an electronic tuner (Korg GA-1), where you plug in the guitar cable.