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Checking and adjusting (if needed) the amount of neck relief (= truss rod tweak), checking and adjusting (if needed) the action (= saddle height) and checking and adjusting (if needed) the intonation (= saddle positioning) should be part of all strings changes, especially when the new set is of different type and/or size from the old ones.
+1
I'll add that every time you change strings you should then check neck relief (adjust with truss rod if needed), second check string height (adjust at bridge if needed), and lastly check intonation (adjust at bridge if needed). These three things often need adjusting after changing strings, or not, depending on the bass and strings.
In other words, what you are experiencing is normal and a basic part of changing strings.
Even when I replace with the exact same model and gauge of strings, I usually have to make some minor adjustments at the bridge to bring the intonation in. This is nothing unusual.
- Apr 18, 2008
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Set your witness points at bridge and nut. Then set intonation.
Well, first of all - welcome to Talk Bass. Don't mind us; we can be a little snarky at times, but we mean well - really...
Yes, in addition to setting your witness points, and at least checking your set up after you put on a new set of whatever strings you have on the bass now, you will almost certainly have to adjust the intonation, too. You probably won't have to adjust it much - maybe just tweak or two - but you will have to adjust it. String companies try very hard to be consistent - and they do a good job of it, actually - but strings are a manufactured product. And, manufactured things have plus or minus tolerances. Even though the plus/minus range may be extremely small, it's there - and as a result, strings will be a tiny bit different from one to the other. I can't remember ever replacing a set of, say, EB Slinkys, with a new set, and not having to tweak the intonation of at least one string. The new strings will usually be very close, but, in my experience, they're never exactly the same. However, if they're off a lot? Generally, that means something's not right somewhere - or those strings are not a new set of what you had on there before...
Yes, in addition to setting your witness points, and at least checking your set up after you put on a new set of whatever strings you have on the bass now, you will almost certainly have to adjust the intonation, too. You probably won't have to adjust it much - maybe just tweak or two - but you will have to adjust it. String companies try very hard to be consistent - and they do a good job of it, actually - but strings are a manufactured product. And, manufactured things have plus or minus tolerances. Even though the plus/minus range may be extremely small, it's there - and as a result, strings will be a tiny bit different from one to the other. I can't remember ever replacing a set of, say, EB Slinkys, with a new set, and not having to tweak the intonation of at least one string. The new strings will usually be very close, but, in my experience, they're never exactly the same. However, if they're off a lot? Generally, that means something's not right somewhere - or those strings are not a new set of what you had on there before...
How old were the last ones? If they were very old, it's important to realize that their ability to stretch decreases over time- stretch a rubber band and at some point, it really won't stretch easily and it's the same with wire. The intonation is dependent on the ability of the string to stretch and as they lose their elasticity, the intonation has probably been adjusted over time, but you may not have remembered or noticed the number of times. If you changed brands, it's also possible that the core is different and that will also affect intonation. What strings were on it and what are the new ones?
Welcome to TalkBass!!!
Yeah different strings can require some tweaks to your setup. If you are handy enough to try such a thing on your own, I would bet there are dozens of videos on YouTube on how to set intonation on a bass.
What kind of bass are we talking about? What kind of bridge?
This is a crucial step that is often overlooked and is probably responsible for the majority of string change intonation issues.
I've got a Ibanez GSRM20B and its got a B10 bridge. I've tried to set the intonation but nothing really changed. I looked up how to adjust my truss rod and I increased the relief as I was also experiencing some fret buzz on the first couple of frets. I read that one should wait a day until adjusting the truss rod again as I assume it takes time till the adjustment emerges.
Yep. Take it slow. You're doing it right. It will "settle in".
Are the saddles on the bridge maxed out one way or the other? If not, keep adjusting until you get there.
Did you switch brands/gauges of strings?
Good... Proceed to step 2 and 3 and complete the setup. Make sure the action is where you want it first before adjusting the intonation.
