First Act Acoustic Guitar quick start Tuning Your Guitar, Changing Strings, Truss ROD Adjustments

ACOUSTIC

GUITAR

QUICK START

GUIDE

This guide shows you how to tune and change the strings on your guitar. It will also show you how to check your guitar’s action, and how to make adjustments. These things will help you keep your guitar in good working order and provide you with years

of enjoyment.

For more on tuning, tips, and tricks visit us online at firstact.com Happy playing!

TUNING YOUR GUITAR

Here are three ways to tune a guitar:

Standard Tuning:

NOTE	E	A	D	G	B	E
STRING	6	5	4	3	2	1

1.Tune to another instrument: For example, you can use a piano keyboard to tune. Play the piano keys one at a time, and tune the corresponding guitar string to it.

					Middle C
B C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C D
STRING	6	5	4	3	2	1

2. Use an electronic tuner
An electronic tuner detects the pitch of each string, and
indicates if the pitch is too high or too low.
3. Tune the guitar to itself, this is called relative tuning:	6	5	4	3	2	1
E STRING	E	A	D	G	B	E
First, tune the 6th string to an E on a piano or a keyboard,
or any other instrument that is already in tune.
A STRING
Press the 6th string behind the 5th fret and tune the open
5th string to it by turning the 5th tuning key until the two
strings sound the same.
D STRING
Press the 5th string behind the 5th fret and tune the open
4th string to it by turning the 4th tuning key.
G STRING
Press the 4th string behind the 5th fret and tune the open
3rd string to it by turning the 4th tuning key.				B
B STRING
Press the 3rd string behind the 4th fret and tune the open
2nd string to it by turning the 2nd tuning key.	A	D	G		E
E STRING
Press the 2nd string behind the 5th fret and tune the open
1st string to it by turning the 1st tuning key.

CHANGING STRINGS

Strings should be replaced when they become dirty, discolored, or produce a dull sound. Change one string at a time to maintain the string tension on the neck. You can change acoustic guitar strings in five easy steps:

1Loosen the string by turning the tuning peg.

FOR BRIDGES WITH PINS

FOR BRIDGES WITHOUT PINS

2

3

Remove the bridge pin. Pull the ball end of the string out of the hole, un- wind the string from the string post, and remove it from the guitar

Stick the ball end of the new string into the hole. Push the pin in place and pull up on the string until the ball catches under the bridge. Press down on the pin until it is secure.

2	Unwind the string
	from the string post
	and remove it from
	the guitar.
3	Thread the new string
	through the hole in the
	hole. Pull the string
	through until the ball
	catches at the bridge.

4	Feed the end of the string
	through the hole in the
	tuning peg. Leave some
	slack so the string will
	wind around the post a
	few times.

5

Bend the end of the string and tighten it by turning the tuning peg. Carefully trim the excess string with wire cutters.

FOR MORE ON TUNING & RESTRINGING, VISIT FIRSTACT.COM

TRUSS ROD ADJUSTMENTS

Some guitars have a truss rod. This is a device installed in the neck of the guitar to stabilize and control the straightness of the neck and to support it against the tension of the strings.

Bow: A neck with a “bow” in the middle will cause bad action and impair intonation. The truss rod can be tightened to eliminate a bowed neck.

(To tighten the truss rod, turn clockwise.)

Hump: A neck with a “hump” in the middle will cause string rattle and false tones. The truss rod

can be loosened to eliminate a hump in the neck.

(To loosen the truss rod, turn counter-clockwise.)

It’s best to have a professional repairperson adjust your guitar’s truss rod. If you’re doing it yourself, be very careful. Too much of a turn can damage the neck of your guitar.

If you are familiar with making adjustments yourself, you can

locate the truss rod at the end of the neck, just above the nut of the guitar. Loosen the 3rd and 4th strings to access the truss rod.

Adjustments should only be made to the truss rod in very small increments. Start with less than a quarter of a turn. It’s helpful to mark your truss rod so you can monitor your progress or return it to its original position.

ADJUSTING THE ACTION

The “action” of a guitar refers to its playability – i.e. the height of the strings above the frets. On acoustic guitars, the action is determined by the saddle, which is inserted into the bridge. The saddle can be lowered by filing it down.

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