Fretless Intonation Setup

Dano59 · #1 10-02-2011, 04:13 PM

When setting up fretless intonation do you set up for fingering directly on top of fret point or above where you would play a fretted neck.

Kwin Smith · #2 10-02-2011, 04:18 PM

It depends on what you like. I like to set mine exactly between the 12th position dots. That puts the notes just a little bit toward the headstock compared to the other dots. I know some folks who never set the intonation on theirs. I can't stand that.

Kwin Smith · #3 10-02-2011, 04:21 PM

If yours is lined, that would put you just a little bit north of the lines, instead of the dots.

Skitch it! · #4 10-02-2011, 04:26 PM

For me I've always set up so it visually pitches pretty much where I would play on a fretted, just to make the transition easier, just up to the line.

I read that Gary Willis used to set his in that way before he moved over to setting directly on the fret-line, kind of splitting the finger.

Pino used to have another person setting his intonation as he played and checked, so the pitching was 'as he saw it' on the board.

I think it's down to whatever you find pitches accurately for yourself, but I think most guys usually set up as they would play on a fretted.