Will my low string ever be perfect? - Its never been right o

ChrisReedSmith · #1 01-17-2002, 10:17 AM

On all my guitars, with any tuning or string gauge I use, the intonation on my low string is always sharp a good amount. And on all my guitars the saddle is moved back as far as it can go and the string still stays a little sharp when I do the open string to 12th fret test. All the other strings can get perfect. Its not a HUGE deal because they still sound great but I think it might make a slight difference if I could find a way to make it perfect. Any suggestions?

Texter · #2 01-17-2002, 11:06 AM

Try loosening the truss rod...that's all I can advise. Wait for the all-knowing big guys to step in here...

bob oakman · #3 01-17-2002, 02:46 PM

All knowing? Not… Big? My wife thinks so. :biggrin:

The bigger the string gauge, the more difficult it is to achieve proper intonation. That’s what I am told anyway. However, the intonation doesn’t start to get nasty until about the 15th fret… and who plays the low b string that far up anyway.

ChrisReedSmith · #4 01-17-2002, 06:51 PM

Thanks texter Im gonna give that a try. I should really go out and invest in a feeler gauge to properly measure and adjust the truss rod because all I do now is eye it and Im probably not to accurate. If anyone else has any suggestions I'd love to hear them.

Just for refrence, my low string is tuned to C with a .56. Dont know if that note and gauge should rule out perfect intonation or not...

Gresh · #5 01-17-2002, 09:23 PM

It will also depend on how high your action is. *The further you have to press the string down to get it to fret on the 12th, the more you are stretching it causing your fretted note to go sharp. *And fatter strings are more susceptible to it. *Having big ol' rail road track frets doesn't help with intonation either. *But like Bob said, after a certain point it become an exercise in futility.

bob oakman · #6 01-18-2002, 01:16 PM

I’m far away from the “all knowing” status when it comes to guitar tech stuff, but I don’t understand what truss adjustment has to do with intonation… besides the lower action-less bend thing.

Any comments?

Rich · #7 01-18-2002, 10:47 PM

Quote:

bob oakman on 12:16 pm on Jan. 18, 2002
I’m far away from the “all knowing” status when it comes to guitar tech stuff, but I don’t understand what truss adjustment has to do with intonation… besides the lower action-less bend thing.

Any comments?

When the neck is straight it's at it's longest, when you add bow, the scale gets slightly shorter. More bow, even shorter. The SAME goes for trem angle. Rock the trem forward and the string length gets shorter, do a pull up and it gets longer (just as an example of trems not set correctly) Intonaion is always the LAST thing to do after the rest of the setup is perfect or as desired. Change the trem angle or neck bow and you'll need to reset the intonation.

bob oakman · #8 01-20-2002, 01:02 PM

Thanks Rich. I get it...

You are THE MAN when it comes to setups. I have never had a better playing guitar than my UV77MC that you blessed with your magic. :donnie: