Fender Pbass intonation?

KegMan · #1 07-16-2009, 07:58 AM

Hi,

i was working on my Mia Pbass yesterday, but i couldn't seem to get the E string in tune (intonation wise). With the open string in tune, all the across the fretboard the notes were very sharp. The rest of the strings i could get in tune...so i dont know what my problem is.

I tried moving the saddle with no luck...Maybe i need new strings?

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated

sevenyearsdown · #2 07-16-2009, 08:05 AM

Hmmm....a MIA P should have no problem being setup. Which direction were you adjusting the saddle, towards the nut or away from it?

And sometimes the adjustment screw on that type of saddle (under string tension) will turn and back out of the bracket rather than moving the saddle, in which case you just have to give it a little nudge forward with the screw driver when adjusting it - most commonly on a heavy e-string in my experience.

ByF · #3 07-16-2009, 08:06 AM

Try a new string.

Ed

dmusic148 · #4 07-16-2009, 08:07 AM

Move the saddle even more, away from the nut, to make the string longer. This will flatten fretted notes. If you find that even with the saddle adjusted as far back as it can go(max string length) and it still frets sharp, the string is defective.

KegMan · #5 07-16-2009, 08:13 AM

thanks for the quick replies!

I was adjusting the saddle away from the nut with no change in intonation, but i did not adjust it as far back as it will go...Ill try that and if it doesn't work ill go grab a new set of strings.

Thanks again

dmusic148 · #6 07-16-2009, 08:18 AM

I should add- everytime you move the saddle rearward, the open tuning of the string will go sharp, so you must retune the open string each time you move it, before checking at the 12th fret. Just in case you didn't know.

KegMan · #7 07-16-2009, 12:55 PM

I just put a new set of DR hi beams on and everything is in working order now!

Once again Thanks for the help TB

xxpigxx · #8 07-19-2009, 10:58 PM

so . . . was it the saddle or the strings?

rumblethump · #9 07-21-2009, 03:10 PM

My guess, string. Any time I start having intonation problems with strings on a bass, its always time for NEW strings

babaseen · #10 07-22-2009, 12:43 PM

I have the exact same problem, (E string is sharp at the 12fret and beyond when setting intonation) however I had just put a new set strings on my P bass and adjusted the saddle as far back as possible (even removed the spring to get more string length). This is the first time I have used a .110 E string on this bass. I have had no problem with the intonation set-up with previous string sets of lighter gauge (.105 and .100). The A-string saddle is back to the limit and just nails the intonation but the larger E- string just doesn't make it. I haven't touched the truss rod as the relief didn't seem too bad but now I wondering if this would have a positive effect on making intonation on the E string come in as it is damn close. Thanks for any insight.