Note on 5th doesn't sound like the same note on 17th. - Why?

[ElhazGuy]

I did not find anything specifically about it.
I've tried some adjustements but nothing has worked.

[7 Dying Trees]

That sounds like an intonation problem to me if they don't sound the same. basically, to fix this, you are going to have to move the saddle backwards (away from the neck) *or forwards to fix it. The way to do this (someone will no doubt reply with a more accurate/better way than this I'm sure, but it works for me) is as follows.

1)play the 12th fret harmonic on the string you want to adjust the intonation of
2)Now play the 12th fret note (fret it basically with a finger).
3)Look at your tuner, it will either be too sharp or too flat.
4)If it's too flat -> move the saddle towards the neck
* If it's too sharp, move the saddle away from the neck.

The best way to do this intonation is to have one of those saddle clamp gadgets, but as I don't have one, I use a string winder (very usefull, if you haven't got one, go and get one.) to completely slacken the string. Once the string is slack, move the saddles in the desired direction, tighten the saddle in place, and tune the string up to pitch again, and repeat untill you are happy with the result at the end (ie, 12th harmonic matches 12th fretted).

Hope this helps,

James

edit: about point 4: because i don't have a guitar here, and am forgetfull,the direction you have to move the saddle in could well be the opposite of what I've described, but if it is, you'll find out soon enough. And then you can call me a moron :biggrin:

(Edited by 7 Dying Trees at 12:27 pm on Jan. 7, 2002)

[Rich]

Intonate the way 7 Dying described (yes, the directions are correct) but use the open string and string fretted at the last fret. This will accurately intonate the upper registers.

[yurich]

Rich, I know in theory it should work, but the difference between the octaves is too much for my ears to hear any differences in the pitches

[Rich]

Hint, Q Tips :biggrin:

[ElhazGuy]

Thank you all, friends.
I'm gonna try it tonight.

[ripl3y]

I have recently found intonation quite a weird experience.

Having about 12 months ago intially set the intonation via the old standard (i.e 12th fret harm, 12 fret note) the only saddle utilising the screw hole furthest back (of the 2) was the G-string (which is basically a standard)

Having checked the intonation lately it was a little out, so I used Rich's method (12 fret harm, 24th fret note) and I had to move the B, A and E (aswell as the G) back to the 2nd saddle screw hole.

Quite odd really, but it all checks out for 12th harm to 12th fret and also 24th fret.
Added to this it makes A & low E ever so slightly more taught (which is always a good thing), plus B, which helps it steady in tuning that tiny bit extra as B should always be a cent or so higher than standard anyways for perfect tuning.
Good method if you ask me...I just hope I don't ever have to go too much further back.

Steve

[Rich]

You had to move 3 saddles to the second hole? If so something's not right there. Typically the only saddles that would be that far back would be the B on a 7 or E on a 6. I'll admit some guitars will have a strange saddle pattern when done, but that many saddles in the second hole just doesn't seem right.

[ripl3y]

That's what I was a little miffed about, but the intonation wasn't checking out unless they were moved.
I have seen some lo-pros, with 2 or 3 saddles back, but they were on much older models.

I'll have to do some more checking.

Steve

[Rich]

Like I said, some just setup wierd. Not really 'wierd', but just not where you'd expect them to be

[trouble311]

So wait, Rich, is your intonation set-up method like this:

open string to 24th fret? *Or how DO you set yours?

[Rich]

Open string to last fret, weather it's the 24th or the 36th The shorter the string length get's, the more critical the intonation is.

[trouble311]

So making sure the 24th is in tune with the open string also intonates the rest of the frets, too? *That seems strange....but I don't think I'm going to start doubting you now, Rich! *I'll give it a shot!

[7 Dying Trees]

Of course you have to have 24 (or 36) frets to do this...

But rich is right about the smaller frets, basically there is less error tolerance the higher you get.

[trouble311]

Wow....so from now on, I don't question anything Rich says about guitars. *Just did it this way last night on my DBK, and now, PERFECTION....on all frets. *Thanks Richmeister!