Intonation.

[Aaron_Jem_FP]

I hope this isn't something covered too often but I was hoping someone one could give me some insight on the subject on intonation. I know that the fretted 12th position should be the same pitch as the harmonic 12th position on the neck. My 550 is out and i need to adjust it. Where my question comes in is in doing this, well, more like after being done; what actually changes? Are we talking a major difference in tone and clarity or something? What I'm mainly getting at is it worth the trouble of doing.

Thank for any help and Happy Thanks Giving to you!

-Aaron

[brothersnowgone]

Definately worth the trouble. Note's sound better, just overall helps a lot IMO.

[LuredMaul]

when you tune the guitar with the tuners theoretically you are tuning the "OPEN" string............when you intonate the string you are tuning the fretted notes from the 12th to the 24th fret......I think more like the 6th to 24th is actually involved.
The science is that the chorded notes at the 12th fret and above will also be in tune when you simply tune the guitar "OPEN"
thus helping to be more "in tune" so more chords and passages sound correct.
which makes for an all around better sounding instrument

[satchmo72]

Well, I printed out and used Rich's (Ibanez Rules) guide to setting intonation and everything seems fine but....

Are the saddles not the same mechanism to help set string height and proper string radius with???

I say this because my G string is much higher in relation to the others (and they are all kinda at different heights)

Am I missing something here? How would I set the string heights, get the proper radius and set intonation and all have them based off the saddles?

I thought I could set this thing up myself but there must be more to it!!!!

Any ideas?

[LuredMaul]

the 2 lowest saddles should be on your E strings next highest B & A
tallest G & D ......this gives you a close curve of the shape of your fret tops,but, not always perfect. to set height you use the 2 posts on the outer edges of the trem. to intonate slide the saddles back or forward.

[Rich]

It would help to know what bridge you're talking about. TRS and other FR types have variable height saddles. Cast base ibanez bridges have the same saddles with the radius built into the base. These have to be radiused using saddle shims.

[Aaron_Jem_FP]

Well, I set my 550 (91) with an edge following your guide Rich (with the 24th fret). Seems to look good on the tuner, but my guitar skills lack too much for me to tell the difference in sound. I like the action of the guitar so i don't think i need to mess with neck or anything like that but, as I said before; my skills lack too much for me to know.

[satchmo72]

Yeah, Rich's guide rocked!!!! I never thought I would really understand it that fully until I read his stuff.

Rich, it is a 1991 540R with what I think should be the Lo-Pro Edge. I got the intonation right, it's dead on but if I want to adjust the string height, the intonation wont be right anymore which makes me think there is something more.

Thanks

[Rich]

A few thousands in height won't even show up on a tuner, less that a few ounces more finger pressure.

[Leary]

Anyone have a link to the guide? Thanks.

[Aaron_Jem_FP]

Make sure you have an understanding wife because you'll start doing this stuff and it will be Sunday at midnight before you're happy! lol.

http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech/setup/index.htm

[satchmo72]

Originally Posted by Aaron_Jem_FP

Make sure you have an understanding wife because you'll start doing this stuff and it will be Sunday at midnight before you're happy! lol.

http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech/setup/index.htm

Agreed, I was up to 2am last night after I started at midnight!!!!!!

[Aaron_Jem_FP]

When I first starting working on my 550's (Getting the neck adjusted and all that) took my almost 16 hours strait. The wife was PISSED!