Intonation or something else?

[Goodlawdy]

The G string's intonation refuses to be set on my 1980 Ibanez Blazer.

I have set the intonation on the other strings with no problem, but the G string refuses to be set. The closest I can get it to intoned is with the saddle as far AWAY from the neck as it can go.

Notes on the G string vibrate in a dissonant, out of tune way. It begins at around the 5th fret and gets worse the farther up the neck you go.

I'm posting a sound clip.

Just picked this bass up today and it plays and sounds like a dream -- except for the g string.

[Goodlawdy]

Here's the bass in question and the bridge where it sounds the most in tune up high. Pretty cool huh?

Serial # is L800681
Made in Japan

I think that means #681 made in 1980. This is the first year they were made too.

[pacojas]

check neck, adjust truss, maybe. gl

[Goodlawdy]

Thanks. The amount of bow looks fairly normal. The action is great and all the other strings are fine.

Why am I so scared to turn a truss rod? Time to try it out on the SX. : )

[David1234]

More wild guesses:

- The pickup may be too close to the strings. Adjust it a long way from the strings temporarily to see if the result is any different
- maybe there's a kink in the string's core
- maybe there's a twist in the string
- maybe a lot of dirt in the string

I had a problem a lot like this a few weeks ago. I've changed bridges and kept the strings and the problem's gone, but I can't see how it was the bridge's fault. So I'm still scratching my head!

[Goodlawdy]

I hear ya. I tried switching out for a badass II I had laying around, but the saddle height was not quite tall enough.

Plus, the flats that were on the bass at purchase are nicely seasoned. I have another set here. I'll take your advice and try it out. It worked for the Ibanez ATK guy a few threads ago!

Thanks

[T-Bird]

Hi.

That one brings up some memories from the mid 80's ...




I'm with David for the twist in the string guess. That's the main reason for intonation problems IMLE. The pickup shouldn't affect that much, but anything's possible.

Regards
Sam

[Craig_S]

Definitely not intonation. Intonation isn't noticeable when the string is being played on it's own. Try David1234's suggestion first, then try new strings. Strings don't last indefinitely.

[Goodlawdy]

It was the string. Maybe it had been twisted to a point of permanently warping itself? Intonation is now dead on and the saddles are in their normal formation. Thanks again.

[JLS]

Originally Posted by Goodlawdy

The G string's intonation refuses to be set on my 1980 Ibanez Blazer.

I have set the intonation on the other strings with no problem, but the G string refuses to be set. The closest I can get it to intoned is with the saddle as far AWAY from the neck as it can go.

Notes on the G string vibrate in a dissonant, out of tune way. It begins at around the 5th fret and gets worse the farther up the neck you go.

I'm posting a sound clip.

Just picked this bass up today and it plays and sounds like a dream -- except for the g string.

Classic bad string.