Every string on a guitar reacts differently to tuning adjustments, and understanding this is key to achieving perfect pitch. The thicker the core of the string, the faster it responds to changes in tension. For example, the pitch change on a plain G string is three times greater than that of the high E string, making tuning the plain G and low E strings—both with thicker cores—particularly challenging. The plain G string is also prone to going out of tune; if stretched, it can catch on the nut or slip on the string post, amplifying tension and pitch changes by a factor of two or three compared to thinner strings.

Traditional tuning methods, such as the "one-ratio-for-all-strings" approach (1:1, 16:1, 18:1), have been in use for over 300 years, relying on worm gear technology that’s over a century old. These outdated methods have left guitarists struggling with inconsistencies in tuning. RATIO® Machine Heads address these challenges by assigning a unique gear ratio to each string, ensuring that every string feels and responds uniformly, similar to the easy-to-tune B string.