whats going on?

hyp.spec · #1 09-03-2006, 09:23 PM

So I decided to loosen my truss rod a bit so I could get rid of a little fret buzz...

so I can set the intonation on all the strings except my B string.

what gives?

it consistently tunes about 10 cents sharp?

loosening and tightening the saddle on the bridge doesn't do anything.

help???

hyp.spec · #2 09-03-2006, 11:11 PM

i've been going at this for hours.... anyone?

WillBuckingham · #3 09-03-2006, 11:20 PM

Besides the fact that your post is non-grammatical, and the thread title made me think you needed help with a Marvin Gaye song, what you're describing doesn't make any sense. Try being more specific about what you've done to your bass and what you're trying to do. It sounds like you don't know how to set your intonation. What kind of bass is it and what exactly are you doing to the bridge to try and set the intonation?

hyp.spec · #4 09-03-2006, 11:25 PM

sorry for the "bad grammar"

anyway

I've got an ibanez sr505 and I loosened the truss rod a bit so I could get rid of some fret buzz (i didn't need to adjust string height because the neck needed more relief anyway).

So i got the truss rod set like I want it so ofcourse I'm gonna have to readjust the intonation.

The EADG strings all intonated without a hitch on the 12th fret.

But for some reason, regardless of which way I turn the saddle screw (tighten if sharp, loosen if flat), B at the 12 fret still rings between 10-20 cents sharp each time.

Does that make things clearer?

WillBuckingham · #5 09-03-2006, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyp.spec

sorry for the "bad grammar"

anyway

I've got an ibanez sr505 and I loosened the truss rod a bit so I could get rid of some fret buzz (i didn't need to adjust string height because the neck needed more relief anyway).

So i got the truss rod set like I want it so ofcourse I'm gonna have to readjust the intonation.

The EADG strings all intonated without a hitch on the 12th fret.

But for some reason, regardless of which way I turn the saddle screw (tighten if sharp, loosen if flat), B at the 12 fret still rings between 10-20 cents sharp each time.

Does that make things clearer?

I wasn't criticizing "bad grammar". I was saying that your original post didn't make any sense because you didn't employ grammar in writing it, so most of it was nonsensical. Don't take it personally.

Here's what to do:

1. Tune your open B string using a tuner. Then gently fret the 12th fret. If it's sharp, then you want to turn the screw counter-clockwise a few turns.

2. Repeat step 1.

3. If you max out the screw (the saddle is all the way at the back of the bridge and it's still sharp), you can try moving it farther back by getting a smaller spring if it's spring-loaded.

4. If that doesn't work, you can take it to a luthier and see if he can help you, or intonate the instrument at a place closer to the nut and just avoid playing the B string where it doesn't intonate well.

hyp.spec · #6 09-04-2006, 07:50 PM

nothing works... I guess it goes to the shop, but I just dont understand how it intonated perfectly fine before, and now its just... blah

Poop-Loops · #7 09-04-2006, 09:10 PM

Tighten the rod again, just not as much. Maybe you can find a sweet spot.

hyp.spec · #8 09-04-2006, 09:29 PM

well I just lowered the string height (thats a story in in itself - I managed to lower the string height by pulling the saddle off the bridge and hand twisting the screw... lost my allen wrench) and that seems to take care of my intonation problem...

but then I get a slight bit of fret clang again (the whole point of the project was to get rid of it! - and I consider myself to have a pretty light touch) so after I get my hands on another wrench tomorrow I'll raise it a tad more and see if the intonation still works.

I know some ppl set action by feel, but whats the "recommended" heights and how do you measure them?

thanks!

maurilio · #9 09-04-2006, 09:38 PM

Hello,
it's your "B" string. Take it off. Try to straighten up the string right at the saddle. Restring and do all the process to tune it up.
My take on the 12th fret intonation... I usually tune my strings checking at the last frets... 18~24.... except for the B string (12~14th).
If you do some soloing, it's more pleasent a good intonation at that register!
What I mean is that the higher you go (pitch) the more acurate (in tune) you want to be!
And then I compare the intonation around the 5~7 frets to see if everything matches.

my dos pesos

Mo'

WillBuckingham · #10 09-05-2006, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyp.spec

nothing works... I guess it goes to the shop, but I just dont understand how it intonated perfectly fine before, and now its just... blah

So you're saying that with the saddle all the way flush with the back of the bridge, it's still sharp? Did you try taking the spring out completely and just tightening it all the way? Either you're not doing something right, or your neck is badly warped.

hyp.spec · #11 09-05-2006, 09:28 PM

Alright, I think I've got everything set how I want.

During my escapade, I've discovered that pickups too close to a string can make the intonation go flat, and if too far, can make intonation go sharp.

I also realized that low action is overrated because I get a MUCH better tone when I raise the action higher. My bass now sounds much warmer and fuller than it has ever been before.

and for those interested, holding down the first fret, my B string is roughly 3.5-4 mm from the top of the 12 fret.

I couldn't stand the little fret buzz I got when I released a string before when I had "low" action - maybe it was just my technique.

So now that I'm happy, everyone should be happy... right?

pkr2 · #12 09-06-2006, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyp.spec

Alright, I think I've got everything set how I want.

During my escapade, I've discovered that pickups too close to a string can make the intonation go flat, and if too far, can make intonation go sharp.

I also realized that low action is overrated because I get a MUCH better tone when I raise the action higher. My bass now sounds much warmer and fuller than it has ever been before.

and for those interested, holding down the first fret, my B string is roughly 3.5-4 mm from the top of the 12 fret.

I couldn't stand the little fret buzz I got when I released a string before when I had "low" action - maybe it was just my technique.

So now that I'm happy, everyone should be happy... right?

"I also realized that low action is overrated because I get a MUCH better tone when I raise the action higher. My bass now sounds much warmer and fuller than it has ever been before."

I wish I had a dollar for every bass that I've set up just as the customer requested, with the absolute lowest possible, buzz free action, only to have to then raise the action because the bass was unplayable for the customer.

Playing a bass with ultra low action is a skill that a very low percentage of players possess. Myself included.

Another reason that doing ones own setup beats having someone else do it the way they think is best for you.

Glad to see you making real progress with learning the ins and outs of setup. It will be a valuable skill as long as you are playing. Just don't let the word get out that you have the skills to do it or you'll find yourself with very little spare time and a lot of new friends. LOL

When I first started doing setups, I aquired an old beater and almost wore the screws out on it from trying different things. This was before the computer opened up the wealth of knowledge that we enjoy today.