Question about intonation

BassMick · #1 10-14-2010, 10:27 PM

Hello, I own a Fender precision, all the strings except the D string are sharp when fretted, I understand I have to move the saddle back which will essentially lengthen the string. My question is, will I have to deal with the truss rod? or once I'm done with the saddles, it should be in tune?

Thank you, for your time!

elgecko · #2 10-14-2010, 10:32 PM

Nope, you shouldn't have to fiddle with your truss rod afterwards.

BassMick · #3 10-14-2010, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgecko

Nope, you shouldn't have to fiddle with your truss rod afterwards.

Thank you, do I adjust these screws? also which way do I turn If I want to lengthen the string?

Arrachion · #4 10-14-2010, 11:10 PM

Righty tighty lefty loosey.

Right should increase the distance from nut to saddle.

elgecko · #5 10-14-2010, 11:11 PM

Those are those ones! I can never remember which way to turn...pick one and see if it gets better or worse.

SnakeKappele · #6 10-14-2010, 11:15 PM

Clockwise the lengthen.

Be sure to tune the bass after you adjust the saddle and before you test the 12th fret. Every time!

Jasisco · #7 10-14-2010, 11:17 PM

Ok first off, tune your string to pitch.. try fretting at 12th fret, if sharp move the saddle away from the neck, usually it's a clockwise turn but you'll quickly see if it's not. Tune to pitch again and test (very important that you keep tuning after adjustment).. Repeat test at different frets.. it can be a bit of a compromise what area of the fretboard you have the intonation most accurate as basses vary in quality especially with fret jobs but it should get you close enough. String gauge and saddle height will change your intonation so keep this in mind when changing strings and after a set up. Intonation should be the last thing you do once your happy with your set up..

Best of luck

BassMick · #8 10-15-2010, 12:03 AM

Thank you everyone! It worked! Nothing was happening when I would turn, maybe my turns weren't drastic enough? or was it just badly out of tune? So I turned much more, and got it perfectly.

Thank you for the help!

I went back after I adjusted the saddles to double check and this time when I fret the note it goes sharp but for a split second and quickly goes to green. Does that mean I need to go adjust again and wait for it to settle?

SnakeKappele · #9 10-15-2010, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassMick

I went back after I adjusted the saddles to double check and this time when I fret the note it goes sharp but for a split second and quickly goes to green. Does that mean I need to go adjust again and wait for it to settle?

It might be right on the edge and need a little more length.

I've always found my initial intonation adjustments are anything but fine tuning.

BassMick · #10 10-15-2010, 01:17 AM

Yes, at first it was perfect, but about 40 minutes later it became slightly sharp again, so I had to adjust it. Is this normal?

SnakeKappele · #11 10-15-2010, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassMick

Yes, at first it was perfect, but about 40 minutes later it became slightly sharp again, so I had to adjust it. Is this normal?

Yes. You might try pressing down on the strings near the saddles to make sure the strings are coming off the saddles flat.

SurferJoe46 · #12 10-15-2010, 09:53 AM

When you move the adjustment on the bridge for intonation, the string will now be in a different location ON the top of that adjuster saddle and it has to settle into a new arc over the changed 'witness point' and you will have to re-check it a few more times.

The 'witness point' it the last point of physical contact the string has between the lower bridge saddles and the upper nut. This should be an abrupt change in string direction to keep the string taught and keep the string from rattling.

Sounds like you are on the road to learning something about the physics and mechanical design of a stringed instrument.

Have a happy trip and learning experience.

Can you say: 'luthier'?

BassMick · #13 10-15-2010, 02:58 PM

This is hard to explain, when I play the A string on the 7th fret and up, I hear a metal tin noise, sounds like to pieces of metal crashing into each other, or a high frequency whistle yet the note is still pronounced, I hear it once I am plugged in. Any idea what is wrong?

SurferJoe46 · #14 10-15-2010, 07:10 PM

Gonna sound silly - but you have to divide and conquer this problem.

First - don't play through an amp - but play the strings with you hunched over, your right ear firmly pushed onto the upper horn where the neck strap attachment is and see if you can hear the same odd noise.

You're gonna try to listen to the vibrations of the strings one at a time and see if any one of them or position makes that noise.

If not - and you are very sure that your strings aren't buzzing the next fret - toward the 12th fret or so - then you might have a vibration problem in an electronic part. Odd - but it can happen.

I'm leaning toward a buzzing fret and perhaps bad neck truss adjustment or a high fret wire.

So - to reiterate::

1st - check for strings buzzing on frets in every position you can fret them

2nd - plug in and try to isolate which strings make noise and if you can find the same note but on a different string and making sure it's the same octave - test things that way.

Keep good notes - there will be questions.

BassMick · #15 10-15-2010, 08:04 PM

Everything is fine except when I fret the A string, It is most prominent when playing around the middle (5-7th frets) position and up. I don't hear any of the noise when I'm unplugged.

SurferJoe46 · #16 10-15-2010, 08:10 PM

You may have to either get a luthier to look at it or go through the process of measuring the string clearances all up and down the neck as is promulgated in a sticky here on TB.

Let me post this and see if I can find that sticky for you.

BTB

Got it::: http://www.fender.com/support/bass_g...etup_guide.php

BassMick · #17 10-15-2010, 09:53 PM

Thank you. It's a weird problem since it plays in tune and sounds fine. Just that A string makes that metal tin noise.

SurferJoe46 · #18 10-15-2010, 10:13 PM

You could also have a twisted string.

PaulMacCnj · #19 10-15-2010, 10:38 PM

The typical steps for a setup are...

1) Adjust the trussrod.
2) Adjust the string heights.
3) Adjust the intonation.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions. They are part of the owners's manual for your bass.

Also, start with a fresh set of strings. Note that setups are needed whenever you change manufacturer, product model or gauge of the strings. However, even seasonal changes (temperature and humidity) will warrant a setup.

SnakeKappele · #20 10-16-2010, 12:12 AM

Is this fret buzz?
String hitting pickup?

Basic setup:

Truss rod -Fret the first and last frets on the E (or B) string and look at the gap between the string and the 8th fret. The gap should be about .015" (about the thickness of a business card). If the gap is too big then tighten the truss rod (clockwise). If the gap is too small then loosen the truss rod (counter clockwise). Go in small adjustments of 1/8 or 1/4 turn at a time since a little goes a long way.

Action -
Adjust the bridge saddles so the strings are each about 3/32" (about the thickness of a quarter) above the 17th fret.

Intonation-
Well we've covered this but you will need to do it again (at least check it).

Pickup height -When fretted at the last fret, each string should have at least 3/32" (about the thickness of a quarter) between it and each pickup. Then adjust the pickup side to side to get uniform volume levels on all the strings keeping at least 3/32" between each string and the pickups.

Now you have a basic setup that you can tweak as you like.