Practice Bass

[bc6str]

I bought a new cheap Rogue 5 string bass to leave at the practice room to keep from having to bring my main bass. The intonation is way off and I have no more room to move the saddles. The bridge is a string through the body style. How difficult would it be to reposition the bridge closer to the neck so I can get the intonation correct. Also, is it unusual for the bridge to be installed this far off?

[GregDunn]

Try pushing down really hard on the strings where they pass over the saddles, to get them to conform to the shape. If this wasn't done when the strings were installed (fairly common) it will make a surprising difference in intonation. I was able to move my saddles almost 1/2" closer to the nut after doing this - even with old strings!

[Slowgypsy]

Originally Posted by bc6str

I bought a new cheap Rogue 5 string bass to leave at the practice room to keep from having to bring my main bass. The intonation is way off and I have no more room to move the saddles. The bridge is a string through the body style. How difficult would it be to reposition the bridge closer to the neck so I can get the intonation correct. Also, is it unusual for the bridge to be installed this far off?

It's certainly possible for a bridge to be installed that far off, but I'd look elsewhere for starters. Rogue basses are made, I believe in China or some such, and for the most part these kind of instruments are all CNC mass produced things. The point is, the CNC machine has pre-drilled all the holes and assembly markings. It's a pre-programmed not prone to error sort of thing. Of course, one of the machines that day could have been having a "bad day", but for starters I'd still look elsewhere.

[bc6str]

Originally Posted by GregDunn

Try pushing down really hard on the strings where they pass over the saddles, to get them to conform to the shape. If this wasn't done when the strings were installed (fairly common) it will make a surprising difference in intonation. I was able to move my saddles almost 1/2" closer to the nut after doing this - even with old strings!

Thank you for your help. I will check out the string fit.

[Pilgrim]

Also - the only Rogue I've bought (violin bass) was a well-made instrument but the strings were sheer trash. Worst strings I've ever seen...and I wouldn't be surprised if that's the problem with yours. I wouldn't worry about the bridge unless I had replaced the strings with decent ones.