Guitar setup
In tune open.
What about at the 12th fret?
An intonation check compares a string’s open pitch with a fretted note. It can help you investigate a guitar that sounds right on open strings but off farther up the neck. It is a measurement, not a diagnosis of everything that might be wrong.
A check you can follow.
Tune the open string.
Use a quiet space and pluck one string. Bring it to the target before starting the comparison.
Play at the 12th fret.
Fret the same string with your normal, light playing pressure. Follow the app’s measurement steps and let the reading settle.
Repeat before deciding.
Check the open string again, then repeat the fretted reading. An inconsistent reading is a reason to retry, not to make a hardware adjustment.
Try one string in Tune Right.
The app guides the comparison. One-string intonation checks are free; Pro adds full-guitar checks and intonation history. Needle and strobe tuning remain free.
Get Tune Right for iPhone & iPadFree download. Optional in-app purchases.
A check is not a repair instruction.
A persistent difference can warrant a closer look at the setup. String condition, playing pressure and the instrument’s construction matter too. Use a technician for adjustments you are not comfortable making, especially on an acoustic guitar. Tune Right does not measure string height or identify every cause of poor tuning.
What the result means
Is this the same as ordinary tuning?
No. Ordinary tuning brings an open string to its target note. An intonation check asks whether a fretted note agrees with the expected pitch relationship. At the 12th fret, the target is one octave above the open string.
Does one sharp reading mean I should adjust the bridge?
No. Retune the open string and repeat with consistent playing pressure. The app should only present a completed measurement when it has enough fresh, stable input. A reading alone does not establish the cause.
Is Tune Right more accurate than my hardware tuner?
We do not claim a calibrated accuracy advantage over hardware tuners or other apps. Displayed precision and visual smoothness are not proof of acoustic accuracy.
For background on the conventional 12th-fret comparison, see Fender’s introduction to guitar intonation. Tune Right’s guided steps may differ; follow the app’s current instructions.