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Intonation problem? SOLVED!

TrooperFarva

TrooperFarva

Nov 25, 2004
3,244
15
New City, NY
#1
I think my intonation is off on my new G&L L-2000, even after trying to adjust it. According to the tuner, the 12th fret is a little flat on each string, more so on the E string, but not that bad. Take a listen and tell me if it sounds like an intonation problem, I'm playing the following

G-------------------------------------
D-------------------------------------
A--------------------0-3-5--12-15-17--
E---0-3-5--12-15-17-------------------

Link Removed

The problem is, the bridge saddles are as far towards the neck as they'll go. Any more, and the adjustment screws fall out of the saddles. Any suggestions as to what to do? I got the action right where I want it, I just need to get the intonation on, and I'll have a great instrument. Thanks.
 
#2
That's sort of weird.

Since it's new, I'd suspect the bridge location. It's pretty easy to check by measuring the distance from the nut to the 12th fret.Double the measurement and thats the distance that the saddles need to be from the nut. The saddles should be near the center of their adjustment range.
 
#4
pkr2 said:
That's sort of weird.

Since it's new, I'd suspect the bridge location. It's pretty easy to check by measuring the distance from the nut to the 12th fret.Double the measurement and thats the distance that the saddles need to be from the nut. The saddles should be near the center of their adjustment range.
Click to expand...

I checked the scale length. The bridge is in the correct location. With the saddles at the end of their travel, the strings are still flat at the 12th fret. At around 34" (I put the saddles at the same distance from the nut that they are on my sterling, they're both 34" scale) they're way flat at the 12th fret. I don't get it. I threw on a new (relatively) set of strings, and the problem was still there. I took the strings off of my lined fretless, where they worked great. I'm out of ideas, I think I'm gonna take it to a pro, I already contacted Valenti.
 
#6
avast_bass said:
i've never heard anything like it. Whats going on with that sound? :| The strange vibrato/warble on the upper frets sounds... like something is up.
Click to expand...

There's the clue! The warble is probably caused by the pickups being too close to the strings. The magnetic pull of the pickups affects the string vibration and cuases not only warbling sounds, but intonation problems as well.

Try lowering the pickups a lot. Then intonate, then raise the pickups to a position where there's no warbling and no intonation problems.

I'm pretty sure that's the problem.
 
#7
Turnaround said:
There's the clue! The warble is probably caused by the pickups being too close to the strings. The magnetic pull of the pickups affects the string vibration and cuases not only warbling sounds, but intonation problems as well.

Try lowering the pickups a lot. Then intonate, then raise the pickups to a position where there's no warbling and no intonation problems.

I'm pretty sure that's the problem.
Click to expand...

DING DING DING! We have a winner. That was it. I knew G&L pickups were hot, but christ, enough to mess up the intonation? I dropped the pickups, reintonated successfully, and now it sounds awesome and plays perfect. Thanks man.

I may still get a pro setup, because I've never had one, and I hear that it can make a huge difference, but I don't need one now, and I'm extremely happy with my purchase now
 
#8
TrooperFarva said:
DING DING DING! We have a winner. That was it. I knew G&L pickups were hot, but christ, enough to mess up the intonation? I dropped the pickups, reintonated successfully, and now it sounds awesome and plays perfect. Thanks man.
Click to expand...

You're welcome. Glad it worked out for you.
 
#10
Nice call, that would have frustrated me for a while before I got to that answer...

Turnaround said:
There's the clue! The warble is probably caused by the pickups being too close to the strings. The magnetic pull of the pickups affects the string vibration and cuases not only warbling sounds, but intonation problems as well.

Try lowering the pickups a lot. Then intonate, then raise the pickups to a position where there's no warbling and no intonation problems.

I'm pretty sure that's the problem.
Click to expand...
 

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