New Strings Changing Tune

[Carolie]

I understand how strings can go flat when they're new? But how does a string that was in tune go sharp? I don't understand how the mechanism and physics involved can do that.


Carolyn

[man dough nollij]

Changes in temperature and humidity can make the neck move a tiny bit, or make the whole scale length longer when it sits in the case. A lot of times I've noticed it happening when the weather changes.

Also, I live in the dryest place on earth now, so the mandolin is constantly drying out as I'm playing it, and it gets a boost of humidity when it goes back in the (constantly humidified) case. Yep.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Very often -more often that folk would imagine,the string can bind in the nut slot & stick with tension still on it. After a period,the string takes up the additional tension & goes sharp. I've found that quite a few times,especially on the dreaded "A" strings - the other possibility is that ALL the other strings have gone flat,
Ivan:grin: