Hi guys, please excuse this newbie question. I suspect this has an easy answer, but it has me stumped.

Using a Korg CA-30 tuner, the open strings on my four-string bass tune just fine. When I play fretted notes though, they all play sharp (according to the tuner). What's going on?

http://homepage.mac.com/mercator/.Pictures/pissed.gif

You say ALL notes play sharp? Is is really ALL? :D
I ask, because the 2-4 notes nearest the nut are all usually sharper,
especially if the nut is a bit high. Is the neck straight "enough"?

Also, the intonation likely needs to be adjusted. Take it in for a
setup by a good luthier/bass tech. :cool:

Poor setup!

If your nut slots are cut too high then notes fretted near to the nut can be sharp..

But if it's all notes, then it's more likely your bridge has not been intonated properly.

Someone did look at it once and said the strings looked high. It makes sense that it would affect the pitch. I think adjusting the neck is not beyond my capabilities.

What does "intonating the bridge" entail?

Thank you!

It is a simple fix that you can do yourself.

First tune your guitar’s open strings to pitch with your tuner. Then fret the guitar at the 12th fret and try again.

If your tuner shows that you are sharp then adjust the saddle on the bridge slightly further away from the neck.

If your tuner shows that you are flat then adjust the saddle on the bridge slightly closer to the neck.

Make sure you only move the saddles a little each time, then re-tune and check 12th fret tuning. Repeat until both are perfectly in tune.

Once the intonation is correct you problem could be fixed.

It is a simple fix that you can do yourself.

First tune your guitar’s open strings to pitch with your tuner. Then fret the guitar at the 12th fret and try again.

If your tuner shows that you are sharp then adjust the saddle on the bridge slightly further away from the neck.

If your tuner shows that you are flat then adjust the saddle on the bridge slightly closer to the neck.

Make sure you only move the saddles a little each time, then re-tune and check 12th fret tuning. Repeat until both are perfectly in tune.

Once the intonation is correct you problem could be fixed.
Thank you Brandt, that worked! Although I had to max out the E string saddle (the spring is completely compressed against the bridge). I need new strings soon anyway, will that require me to adjust the intonation again?

If you change string gage or brand, and tension changes, then yes, you will need to re-intonate the bass. Once you have found a set of strings that you like, and your intonation is set, you “shouldn’t” have to adjust it again.

However, depending on how old your strings are may play into wether you need to intonate or not.

I usually check intonation every string change... The variation between one set of strings to another sometimes requires a tweak to a string or 2, but it should never be a huge adjustment.

Also, keep in mind that just normal wear and aging on your bass will mean that you need to check every now and again. Checking intonation during string changes will be more than enough to keep everything straight.

Peace!