Intonation setup

Brick Top · #1 02-13-2010, 02:21 PM

Sorry if my the terms I use to describe things are incorrect. This is a little new to me.

My string nut broke on my BB414 when I started to loosen the E string tuner to change the string. I have ordered a new nut....and when it arrives...I want to ensure the bridge I have(bass ass II is set up properly.

I am concerned about the starting point of the units that go forward and back, that the string sits on for adjusting the intonation. Is there a standard starting point? I had a lot of trouble adjusting the intonation before the nut broke. I could get it close...but not right on. I bought the bass used....and I haven't mucked with the bridge too much except for trying to adjust the intonation.

grifff · #2 02-13-2010, 02:25 PM

If you don't feel comfortable doing intonation adjustments yourself, take it to a tech. It probably won't cost you too much and will save you a lot of hassle.

Learning to do it yourself does have benefits though.

Brick Top · #3 02-13-2010, 08:21 PM

I feel comfortable. I am not asking how to set intonation! I just want to know if there is a rule of thumb as to where the string saddles should be on the bridge before I start to put on the new strings. Should they be closer to the neck end...the strap knob end....or the middle? Or somewhere in between? Does it matter which string saddle?

ddnidd1 · #4 02-14-2010, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brick Top

I feel comfortable. I am not asking how to set intonation! I just want to know if there is a rule of thumb as to where the string saddles should be on the bridge before I start to put on the new strings. Should they be closer to the neck end...the strap knob end....or the middle? Or somewhere in between? Does it matter which string saddle?

It's one of those situations where if you have to ask, you really don't know what's involved. Check the setup FAQ.

walterw · #5 02-14-2010, 01:11 PM

the real question is "how are you going to install the new nut?"

do you have the special files, and have you done a lot of them before? if the answer is "no", then take it to someone. the new one will not just drop in.

this is critical to getting the bass to play right, and is much harder than setting the bridge intonation (even for so-called "pros"). hell, it's usually not all that well done from the factory.

as for the saddles, your highest string's contact point will be right around the theoretical scale length from the nut, and the others will stagger back slightly from that point.

to get the scale length, measure from the front edge of the nut to the center of the 12th fret. twice that is your scale length. or to put it another way, that same distance from the 12th fret is where you should put the saddle of the highest string.

Brick Top · #6 02-15-2010, 09:16 AM

Thank you.

I ordered the string nut from Yamaha...so I don't think I should have too many problems installing the new one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

the real question is "how are you going to install the new nut?"

do you have the special files, and have you done a lot of them before? if the answer is "no", then take it to someone. the new one will not just drop in.

this is critical to getting the bass to play right, and is much harder than setting the bridge intonation (even for so-called "pros"). hell, it's usually not all that well done from the factory.

as for the saddles, your highest string's contact point will be right around the theoretical scale length from the nut, and the others will stagger back slightly from that point.

to get the scale length, measure from the front edge of the nut to the center of the 12th fret. twice that is your scale length. or to put it another way, that same distance from the 12th fret is where you should put the saddle of the highest string.

Bardley · #7 02-15-2010, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brick Top

Thank you.

I ordered the string nut from Yamaha...so I don't think I should have too many problems installing the new one.

You will most likely still need tools to file the slots to the proper height and to get the nut seated properly. There is no such thing as a drop-in nut replacement. Each one will need to be tweaked to be setup properly.

As far as the saddle position, leave it where it is, string it up, tune to pitch and check the intonation and adjust from there. It will not be that far off unless you moved it a lot.

JLS · #8 02-15-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brick Top

Thank you.

I ordered the string nut from Yamaha...so I don't think I should have too many problems installing the new one.

Heh heh--get back to us on this one, okay?