Warwick 6 string intonation problem

Buddhapadge · #1 02-24-2011, 05:21 AM

Hi folks,
I have a 2004 Warwick Corvette Standard six string that I love. The only problem is that the high C string cannot be intonated. I've literally just gotten it back from the best luthier in Ireland, and he said that there is nothing wrong with the setup on the bass.

The harmonics all ring out in tune, but starting on the twelfth fret the note is approximately 10% sharp, getting closer to 15-20% sharp as I go up to the 24th fret. It's so painful to listen to.

Is there anything that can be done?
Paddy

Bobster · #2 02-24-2011, 05:45 AM

Buddapadge,

Have you set a witness point on the C string? This means using your fingers and putting a bend/crease on the string?

I would move the saddle forward a little before doing this, so the witness point isn't set to far back.

Best of luck w/it.

Bob

lyes4string · #3 02-24-2011, 05:48 AM

i gots me a thumb that i got intonation problems with too. never could really find an answer to it other than i think its just the 2 piece bridge. my ernie balls dont have a problem supporting my tuning or my tone so i have simply made them my main basses. dont get me wrong i love my warwick but the intonation makes it useless in the studio, probably only use live from here on out.

Buddhapadge · #4 02-24-2011, 06:45 AM

I've made a recording of the intonation here, just playing a C major scale on the upper octave of the C string. You can hear a definite vibration between the notes, I think.

Buddhapadge · #5 02-24-2011, 08:20 AM

lyes4string, have you tried adjusting the bridge? Here's the thread where I got some very good advice about how to do it. There's no reason why your bass shouldn't be perfectly in tune.

http://forum.warwick.de/21-warwick-b...n-problem.html

JLS · #6 02-24-2011, 11:32 AM

I read that other thread. You now have several "luthiers/techs", you can refrain from giving any of your $ to.

A bass setup, w/o intonation dead-on? Not from my shop!

And, furthermore: anyone who claims that a neck is just like it's supposed to be, coming from the factory, is an idiot. There's no charitable or nice (sorry, mods!) way to put it.

Buddhapadge · #7 02-25-2011, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLS

I read that other thread. You now have several "luthiers/techs", you can refrain from giving any of your $ to.

A bass setup, w/o intonation dead-on? Not from my shop!

And, furthermore: anyone who claims that a neck is just like it's supposed to be, coming from the factory, is an idiot. There's no charitable or nice (sorry, mods!) way to put it.

I was really stunned by how easy it was to do the intonation, as well. The problem is that in Dublin there are no high-end repair resources for bass players. I was seriously considering travelling 300 miles to London for a service once.

T-Bird · #8 02-25-2011, 07:27 AM

Hi.

If all the other variables mentioned have been covered, how's the nut?

IMLE, a big city or an expensive hourly rate won't guarantee a first rate job either.

Regards
Sam

Buddhapadge · #9 02-25-2011, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

If all the other variables mentioned have been covered, how's the nut?

IMLE, a big city or an expensive hourly rate won't guarantee a first rate job either.

Regards
Sam

The nut is fine, I switched to the brass Warwick nut after breaking two or three of the plastic ones and I haven't looked back.

captainhaddock · #10 02-26-2011, 03:42 PM

hi sorry to hijack your thread but I want to ask you a couple of questions.
Does your corvette 6 have a 52mm top nut?
If so would you be able to let me know what the string spacing is string to string and the total overall spacing LowB to HighC

Cheers ta!

Buddhapadge · #11 02-27-2011, 12:12 PM

I know it has a 52mm nut, but I haven't got anything here to measure anything else I'm afraid...

longfinger · #12 02-27-2011, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buddhapadge

Hi folks,
I have a 2004 Warwick Corvette Standard six string that I love. The only problem is that the high C string cannot be intonated. I've literally just gotten it back from the best luthier in Ireland, and he said that there is nothing wrong with the setup on the bass.

The harmonics all ring out in tune, but starting on the twelfth fret the note is approximately 10% sharp, getting closer to 15-20% sharp as I go up to the 24th fret. It's so painful to listen to.

Is there anything that can be done?
Paddy

Are the frets level?

Buddhapadge · #13 02-28-2011, 11:59 AM

Oh yeah, everything's sorted now. Thanks for the input, though.