String Guide

We've developed online tutorials, videos, and articles to help you get the most out of your First Act instrument.

Interactive Online Tuner
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Electric Guitar String Guide
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Acoustic Guitar String Guide
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Tuning Your Guitar

Tuning your guitar is very important, and the first thing you will have to learn. For most accurate tuning, a pitch pipe or electronic tuner is recommended. Alternatively, by referencing one note from another instrument or a recording, you can tune your guitar using the method described below.

To use the tuning diagram, press each string just behind the indicated fret (this is called fretting the string) and match the pitch to the next open string. You'll have to start with one string that is in tune. For example, fret the A string (5th string) on the 5th fret and match the pitch to the open D string (4th string) by turning the tuning key on the headstock to raise or lower the pitch. When these pitches are the same, you've tuned a string! You'll probably have to tune your guitar each time you play, as your guitar is a sensitive instrument made of natural materials. This is normal and it will become easier to tune your guitar each time as your ears become trained.