Fretless Intonation Help

[MVE]

I just put a new bridge on my fretless j and I cannot get the E string calibrated. It is very flat. I even put a longer adjustment screw and have the saddle almost to the end of the base of the bridge and it is still almost a half-step flat at the E2 position.

All other strings are perfect.

Has anyone else dealt with something like this?

My bridge looks ridiculous with the E saddle so far extended.

Thanks for your input.

[Diogenes]

Try a different E string and see how it fares. The one you have on there now may not be up to snuff.

[MVE]

Thanks Diogenes,
That was my next plan of action. This just seems to defy the laws of physics to me; I just don't understand what the heck is going on here.

[jonotronic]

Is the pickup height on the string side too high? Might interfere with intonation.

[jay_meister]

Have you tried raising the string height just a bit? ....or different gauge strings? on some of my basses i was only successful with tapered strings.

a half step out when you're already compensating so much at the saddle seems like an awful lot -- ???

[MVE]

"Is the pickup height on the string side too high?"

No, about 3/16"

[MVE]

Jay,
The saddle height doesn't seem to have an affect.

I haven't changed the string yet. Per Diogenes' recommendation, that will be my next move.

And Yes, tapered SR2000s on all my fender style basses.

[Bassflute]

Originally Posted by MVE

Jay,
The saddle height doesn't seem to have an affect.

I haven't changed the string yet. Per Diogenes' recommendation, that will be my next move.

And Yes, tapered SR2000s on all my fender style basses.

perhaps you've passed the mark by quite a bit...try taking it back to where all the others are and seeing how much out you are. I've seen strings not intonate well, but not by a semitone, that's nuts.

Alternately, you could just widen your vibrato to encompass the discrepancy...!



Put the flanger on STUN!?!!



Cheers,
Cameron