B string intonation

Billy K · #1 05-23-2011, 09:06 AM

I can not get that B string set right. all my other strings I got dailed in but the B stays sharp at the 21 st fret.I have moved that bloody saddle to both extremes all the way forward and back as far as it will go. Is it perhaps such a new string that it needs to stretch out some more or what is it?

dbhokie · #2 05-23-2011, 09:27 AM

Intonation is never a perfect thing, well I suppose sometimes more perfect, you know what I'll let those more experienced than me tell you what to do, but if you are getting it bloody I don't think (IMO) It's a huge deal. What is the intonation like on the remainder of the B String? If it's sharp then you would need to move the saddle away a little bit in order to lengthen the string, but if you are adjusting to the 21st fret, you would really need to watch your intonation on the rest of the board, I make my primary adjustments at 12th. If you look up Just Intonation in a music dictionary it may explain some of the difficulties of perfect intonation on a fretted instrument or something of the like. (but then how sharp are you?)

Billy K · #3 05-23-2011, 09:59 AM

dis lex ee ah LO)L I ment 12 fret. sharp at 12 perfect open but of course it would be. My other strings I get tuned open and 12 fret really good. Just the low B is super sharp at 12 fret

JLS · #4 05-23-2011, 10:09 AM

Have you given the string a witness point, pushed it down onto the saddle, so that there's a defined break angle?

Ric5 · #5 05-23-2011, 10:15 AM

Move the bridge back or try a set of strings with a tapered B string.

Billy K · #6 05-23-2011, 10:19 AM

JLS I'll try that .Ric saddle all back and it is a set of DR's tapered.

Billy K · #7 05-23-2011, 10:20 AM

here is a visual

PrietoBass · #8 05-23-2011, 10:53 AM

Billy K

I have this same bridge. IMO, you need to push down that B as someone has mentioned before.

Also, I had to cut the B saddle spring to allow further movement of the saddle away from the fingerboard.

Finally, I have found that some strings are easier to intonate than others, and sometimes consistency can vary from string set to string set, even within the same brand.

Billy K · #9 05-23-2011, 11:08 AM

Thank you from across the bay.I pushed down on the B string at the saddle and felt a little give and started the tune and test 12 fret Lo and behold. Intonation corrected. Thank You again and I just love Talkbass so much knowledge here.

**Mulebagger** · #10 05-23-2011, 11:09 AM

I had the DR longnecks and they would never intonate properly because the taper was too long. Call DR they will help you out.

JLS · #11 05-23-2011, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy K

Thank you from across the bay.I pushed down on the B string at the saddle and felt a little give and started the tune and test 12 fret Lo and behold. Intonation corrected. Thank You again and I just love Talkbass so much knowledge here.

Great when it's something that simple, innit?