Dr. Dipwad
Experienced
I stay within a pretty narrow range of humidities and temperatures for the most part, but I do occasionally travel to beach gigs. And sometimes I have church gigs that're outdoors.
Anyhow, I follow certain rules/processes:
I learned most of that when I was performing more regularly in college, in rather less-predictable environments. But I've stuck with it ever since.
Doing things that way, I've never had to retune during the course of a gig (except for one annoying guitar, which I sold).
So, it really is possible to have tuning be almost a total non-concern. But it requires adequate prep and adequate processes.
Anyhow, I follow certain rules/processes:
- All my guitars have tended to use double-locking systems or high-grade staggered locking tuners with a quality nut job, graphite, GraphTech nuts, etc.
- I never change strings right before a gig. (At worst it'll be before the last rehearsal leading up to the gig.)
- I never go more than 10 or so gigs or rehearsals without changing strings.
- I stretch my strings pretty carefully and thoroughly when changing.
- I give my guitars 30 minutes in the environment, then tune.
I learned most of that when I was performing more regularly in college, in rather less-predictable environments. But I've stuck with it ever since.
Doing things that way, I've never had to retune during the course of a gig (except for one annoying guitar, which I sold).
So, it really is possible to have tuning be almost a total non-concern. But it requires adequate prep and adequate processes.
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