Scale Length problem?

[Skit1]

I've recently had the bridge on my SG copy bass changed to a fender styled one (from a gibson styled one with no saddles).

However, Even with the saddles rightback against the bridge, the bass still wont intonate.

Could this be a problem to do with scale length (bridge installed at wrong location) and if so, how can I fix this?

[Eric Moesle]

Um.... try mounting the bridge in the correct place for the bass's scale length, so that the saddles can be adjusted to where they need to be. THAT is the critical focus when mounting a bridge, not whether it mounts where the old bridge did. Focus on the saddles.

Also remember that not every bridge will fit on every bass. You might have to get a different model bridge to work with your bass.

[The Craw]

Right. Scale length is determined by where the frets are placed. So you don't have a scale length problem, you have a bridge placement problem.

[Skit1]

Thanks for the help.

How can I measure where to put the bridge?

Isnt it something along the lines of nut to bridge and 12th fret to back of bridge should be the same?

(The bass is shortscale if that makes any odds)

[lug]

Measure from the nut to the crown of the 12th fret. That is the disance you want to go from the crown of the 12th fret to the middle of the adjustment range of the saddle (Actually to where the saddle is almost fully extended, but if the bridge has ample adjustment, it will work fine).

[EADG mx]

Since you have them all the way back.. I'm assuming your intonation is sharp. Therefore, move the bridge back.

If I am not mistaken.

[The Craw]

Originally Posted by lug

Measure from the nut to the crown of the 12th fret. That is the disance you want to go from the crown of the 12th fret to the middle of the adjustment range of the saddle (Actually to where the saddle is almost fully extended, but if the bridge has ample adjustment, it will work fine).

Yes on the almost fully extended. No on the middle of the saddle adjustment range, that's just wasting half of the adjustability. And it's especially important on a short scale bass. Shorter scales require a little more compensation.

Since he said it's a short scale bass, let's suppose it's 30" scale, i.e. 15" from the nut to the 12th. And let's suppose there's 1" of bridge saddle travel. If you measure 15" from the 12th to the middle of the saddle's travel, then you can adjust the string's compensation anywhere from 29.5" to 30.5". But a 30" scale will never be shorter than 30". Even the lightest string will be at least 30". So you use the almost fully extended saddle for that 15" measurement. That would give you the most adjustment, from 30" to almost 31".

Hope that makes sense.

[Skit1]

Thanks for the help guys, It turns out the bridge was too far forward, I've moved it back now and the intonation is fine