Constantly Sharp

[keys88]

Hi All. I'm new to the forum. I'm a keyboard player who always wanted to play bass. We'll I finally got around to it. I guess it's my midlife crisis!
Hey....like I tell my wife.....it's safer than a Harley and cheaper than a girl friend!!!!!.

I bought an SX short scale bass and put flats on it. I like the way the bass feels and sounds except.....after I changed the strings
I can tune the basic open strings with an electronic tuner but the bass goes sharp at the 5th fret and even more sharp at the 12th?

I tried moving the saddles under the strings at the bridge butstill can't keep the bass from going sharp.
Any help is appreciated
Paul

 

[T.O.Bass]

Your intonation is off, no biggie. Saddle adjustments can be tricky if you don't know what you're doing, so I suggest taking it to a local guitar shop and getting it setup properly. Shouldn't cost you much more than 40 bucks, and saves you the hassle of all the annoying fiddly work.

EDIT: Though I should mention that if you google "setup and intonation for bass guitar" you will fund numerous sites that will guide you through the process, if you'd rather do it yourself.

Though I would still opt for the professional setup. You'd be amazed at the difference it can make.

 

[David Jayne]

If it goes sharp when you fret, move the bridge saddles back, to make the string longer. Best way is tune open string, then play octave at fret 12. Adjust until octave stays in tune with open string.

 

[Steve Bennett]

First things first. Whenever you changed strings, you probably put more tension on the neck, thereby increasing the relief (bow) of the neck. This needs to be corrected with a truss rod adjustment before adjusting the bridge saddles. I'd either take it to a tech who'll let you watch what he does, or use one of the many Internet sites which give setup instructions.

 

[atheos]

After changing the strings to ANY different from what they were before the following actions should be done (in the following order):
1. Neck relief (truss rod) adjustment
2. Action (string height) adjustment
3. Intonation (string length) adjustment

If you are unsure about how to do these - learn. The Internet (and TB too) is full of good guides. Being able to make even the basic setup for your instrument is always a good thing and it saves you money and time. Bass guitar is not something that just is, it needs occasional care, setup and maintenance in order to stay playable.

 

[keys88]

Thanks to all who answered me. I think for the first time I will take the bass to a tech and watch how it is done.....then I check the Internet and TB for instructions and learn to do it my self

THANKS AGAIN!!!

 

[AlembicPlayer]

may need a bit of nut work as well as what's listed above.
a nut slot that is not properly cut can throw intonation off.