Can't intonate my g-string

[improv]

I have a Ibanez BTB 686 bass that I tune

e-a-d-g-b-e

like a guitar.

I have Elixir nickel on the low strings from .105 to .045

I have some D'addario for b and e strings, .030 and .025

Everything is cool with the bass EXCEPT the bloody g string. It will not intonate. All other strings are fine.

Anyone recommend a string that has a bare core that goes over the bridge saddle?

Would that help me?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[michael_t]

I have Elixir nickel on the low strings from .105 to .045

I have some D'addario for b and e strings, .030 and .025

I would suggest you try a D'A XL Nickel .045 to go with the .030 and .025 in place of the Elixir .045. Shouldn't be a problem finding a single XL Nickel .045.

 

[improv]

Thanks, I actually have a couple of D’a strings, a .045 and a .040 just to test…I’m hoping it works because up past 12th fret…it gets some kind of sour sounding.

I’ll let you know how it works out.
Mike

 

[Zooberwerx]

Thanks, I actually have a couple of D’a strings, a .045 and a .040 just to test…I’m hoping it works because up past 12th fret…it gets some kind of sour sounding.

I’ll let you know how it works out.
Mike

What's the intonation issue?

Riis

 

[One Way]

I have a similar issue on one of my basses. In my case the g string saddle is fully forward and the G note at the 12th fret is still flat when fretted. Makes me wonder if, over time, the string point of contact (high point of the nut slot) moves from next to the fretboard back toward the headstock side of the nut due to wear. This bass has a number of years worth of string changes and tuning possibly contributing to nut slot wear.

I’m going to try new strings of a different brand before exploring additional alternatives as the slot is already set low and further modification of the nut slot will require nut replacement.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I have a similar issue on one of my basses. In my case the g string saddle is fully forward and the G note at the 12th fret is still flat when fretted. Makes me wonder if, over time, the string point of contact (high point of the nut slot) moves from next to the fretboard back toward the headstock side of the nut due to wear. This bass has a number of years worth of string changes and tuning possibly contributing to nut slot wear.

I’m going to try new strings of a different brand before exploring additional alternatives as the slot is already set low and further modification of the nut slot will require nut replacement.

Always a possibility. This was an ongoing problem with the Dunlop SuperBrights back in the day and I'm not fully convinced the issue was ever remedied. To be clear, the problem resided with the string and not the set-up.

Riis

 

[improv]

I put a new D'A .045 on and played with the intonation. The saddle was moved way up towards bridge position, so I played with the position until I could get it set reasonably well. It now sounds pretty good.