Tension: The Real Culprit
A docerola carries twice as many strings as a normal guitar, and that means a lot more tension pulling on the neck and soundboard, all the time. When that force isn't properly contained, the neck moves a little bit and the tuning goes off. That's why a cheap docerola, built as if it were a six-string with extra strings, constantly goes out of tune.
New Strings, Climate, and Nut
There are three more suspects. One: new strings stretch in the first few days; it's normal for it to go out of tune at first, it's not a defect. Two: the climate. Wood moves with humidity and heat — from the coast to the mountains, your guitar changes. Three: the nut. If the grooves are poorly cut, the string gets stuck there and 'jumps' out of tune every time you stretch it.
How to Keep It in Tune
Always tune by going up to the note, never down: this way the string sits well in the nut. When you put on new strings, stretch them by hand and retune several times until they settle. Store it in its case and, if you can, maintain humidity between 45 and 55%. And check that the nut is properly cut for your gauge; if the string buzzes when tuning, that's the problem.
How KARMA solves it. Every KARMA docerola comes with an adjustable dual-action truss rod, so the neck is easily corrected for climate changes. The nut is made of bone and is specifically cut for paired strings (10-47 gauge), not for a generic guitar. And it arrives with its paired strings installed and factory-intonated, ready to play on day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you tune a docerola?
In standard tuning, but with paired strings: each note is doubled. On KARMA docerolas, the paired strings are tuned in unison, with a 10-47 gauge.
Is it normal for a new docerola to go out of tune in the first few days?
Yes. New strings stretch and need to settle. Tune it several times for the first couple of days, and then it will stabilize.
Do I tune it up or down to the note?
Always up. If you went too far, go below and come back up. This way the string doesn't get stuck in the nut.
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