Out of tune 10th fret or so..

[D.Don]

I've got an Ibanez Musician with the nut changed and the tross rod adjusted for BEAD tuning using .55-.130 strings (d'addario half-rounds, about 2-3 months old).

The intonation on 12th fret is okay on all strings, but I have some troubles with the E string on about the 10th fret or so, it's not entirely in key and it's quite disturbing when playing higher fret modes.

Where do I start? Could it be the nut that is not 100% well done, or what do I look for here?

Bass is neckthru, frets are in great shape, and the neck is straight.


Thanks!

D.Don

[Solarmist]

That sounds real odd - are you sure the intonation is correct? The nut really doesn't have anything to do with the intonation - if you cut the slot too deep - that spells buzzing, but not an intonation problem. Did you set it (right) with a tuner? No offense meant, but you do know how - right?

[D.Don]

Originally Posted by Solarmist

That sounds real odd - are you sure the intonation is correct? The nut really doesn't have anything to do with the intonation - if you cut the slot too deep - that spells buzzing, but not an intonation problem. Did you set it (right) with a tuner? No offense meant, but you do know how - right?

Yeah, intonation is right indeed, and I am aware of that even if it's 100% on 12th there's no guarantee for the other frets, thicker strings maybe part of the culprit as well I believe.

D.Don

[Greyvagabond]

The adjustment you need to make is at the bridge; the bridge saddles need to move back (making the string length "longer") when tuning down, such as BEAD. Try moving the bridge saddles back a few mm's. The best way to get intonation right is to use a tuner to match the open and 12th fret intonation.

[D.Don]

Originally Posted by Greyvagabond

The adjustment you need to make is at the bridge; the bridge saddles need to move back (making the string length "longer") when tuning down, such as BEAD. Try moving the bridge saddles back a few mm's. The best way to get intonation right is to use a tuner to match the open and 12th fret intonation.

Intonation open/12th harmonic is 100% ..

D.Don

[Greyvagabond]

Originally Posted by D.Don

Intonation open/12th harmonic is 100% ..

D.Don

Ha, then I'm totally out of ideas!

[D.Don]

Yeah, i am quite stunned too..

Will try with a lighter gauge next time (with risk of it getting sloppy) ...

D.Don

[locolobo85]

You say the open/12th harmonic are 100%.

How about open/12th fretted?

Outside of the bridge adjustments, IMO, it's back to tweaking the neck adjustment. If you're unsure, let a professional take a look at it.

[Mushroo]

12th fret harmonic will always be in tune and has nothing to do with intonation. You need to measure the intonation of the fretted 12th fret note.

[D.Don]

Looks like I am about to learn something new here today!



Will give that a shot and come back.

Thanks!

D.Don

[Nick Kay]

Originally Posted by Mushroo

12th fret harmonic will always be in tune and has nothing to do with intonation. You need to measure the intonation of the fretted 12th fret note.

+12

[JTE]

Yep- Setting intonation is done by comparing the open string (or it's 12th fret harmonic) to the fretted note. Just comparing the harmonic to the open string tells you nothing unless your strings are so shot that the harmonic is off.

A string vibrates in sections, and the 12th fret harmonic is exactly one-half the string length. That means it's exactly one octave above the open string. So, the process is to compare the fretted note to the open string (or the harmonic). Your open string is your reference pitch. Play that reference and tune the string so your tuner is dead on. Then fret the string at the 12th fret. If the fretted note is sharp, your string from the 12th fret to the bridge is too short, and you need to move the saddle away from the nut. If the fretted note is flat, the distance from the 12th fret to the bridge is too long and you need to move the saddle away from the nut. Retune the open string and check again. Repeat as needed to get it right.

Things that cause it to be wrong include the nut (if the nut's too high it WILL cause intonation problems), but the most likel culprit is bad strings. As the string ages it picks up dirt, crud, dead skin cells, booger juice, beer, smoke scum, etc. And the frets impact the windings causing divots etc. All those conspire to make the string have inconsistent mass along its speaking lenght. So if you're having trouble setting intonation correctly on older strings, my first assumption is that the strings aren't good.

jte

[Solarmist]

Originally Posted by Mushroo

12th fret harmonic will always be in tune and has nothing to do with intonation. You need to measure the intonation of the fretted 12th fret note.

+1 - Exactly - The open sting has nothing to do with it either other than tuning it to what you want (to set it for).

Setting Intonation: Intonation adjustment is the operation of adjusting the location of the string at the saddle to compensate for different tuning. Intonation is properly set when the 12th fret note and the 12th fret harmonic are exactly the same note. This is the center point of the scale and the most accurate way of setting a standard scale length. With the harmonic note as the standard, if the fretted note is flat move the bridge saddle forward toward the headstock to decrease the string length. If the fretted note is sharp, move it back away from the headstock to increase the string length intonation adjustments.

[Rickett Customs]

+1,Open,fretted 12th and 13th fret. That's what I do at least.