D string intonation went wonky

[jglunt]

Yeah, after I put a second EB Cobalt flat on my bass and it wouldn't intonate either, I was really confused. It had to be something in the bridge or the nut, I thought, but I couldn't see a problem. But it just couldn't be two bad G strings in a row, could it? The odds were about the same as winning the Powerball! But that was exactly what it was. (Unfortunately, I have never won the Powerball.)

 

[Turnaround]

Check the intonation all the way up the neck, not just the 12th fret. If you find really uneven intonation at various points it's the string that's the problem.

 

[sawzalot]

If the saddle is that far forward, that typically means that the string isn't pulling sharp due to the stretch imposed by fretting the note or it's completely not seated in the nut properly. Assuming it's not the nut: If the string isn't pulling sharp due to the stretch, then something is wrong with the string.

 

[laklandplayer]

Check and make sure the core wire in the string isn't twisted.
It's a very common thing, especially when you use a crank string winder when installing strings.
Just loosen the string as much as you can, so it doesn't come off of the tuner post, and run your fingers from the post over the nut all the way past the bridge saddle and get the core wire straight, you may feel the string move as you are doing it. Tighten, retune and check your intonation, it will be better. You may want to check all of them. I always use top loading bridges with string slots which makes it easier to do when installing my strings. A twisted core wire can cause all kinds of problems.. good luck

 

[faulknersj]

I’ll bet anything the screw head wasn’t flush with the bridge and then popped into place, especially looking at how far forward that saddle is. The string tension over the saddle will hold it in place even if the screw is not flush.

 

[Wyvern]

Every string change I check snugness of bridge, turners and neck.

I always bend the hell out of the string about an inch past where I'm about to cut, that'll help prevent the core from slipping as I had gotten lazy once, snipped and the core slipped and sounded dead immediately.

Very likely the core has let go.

Make sure you get a genuine pack of new strings, avoid eBay and Amazon.

 

[mikecd1]

I don't like that the ball is so close to the opening and suspect a twist. Loosen the string and reseat the ball and take care that it doesn't twist when being brought to pitch. I'd also reseat the saddle to just behind the G string saddle and start over. I've had some wacky intonations that required starting over and making sure the "balls" aren't twisted. New or different strings next step.

 

[bullshark]

Just my luck, the Fender 9050L in 45-100 is out of stock and backordered until the 12th of september at my local dealer(Long&Mcquade). Might as well say backordered until the end of time...
Amazon claim to have stock, but they're 20 dollar more for the pack, and the photo on the product page doesn't look anything like the package I have. Not sure I'd trust ordering from them.

 

[jglunt]

Just my luck, the Fender 9050L in 45-100 is out of stock and backordered until the 12th of september at my local dealer(Long&Mcquade). Might as well say backordered until the end of time...
Amazon claim to have stock, but they're 20 dollar more for the pack, and the photo on the product page doesn't look anything like the package I have. Not sure I'd trust ordering from them.

I've had good luck ordering strings through Sweetwater, Musicians Friend, Strings and Beyond, and Strings by Mail. I trust those vendors, but I don't know if they ship to Canada. It'd be worth checking. Another thing to check would be to see if Fender sells strings directly to the public. Or you might have to buy a different brand from your preferred vendor. Who knows, maybe you'll find a brand you like even better than the Fenders.

 

[bullshark]

Who knows, maybe you'll find a brand you like even better than the Fenders.

Nope. I've tried them all, either too stiff or too floppy or wrong feel or wrong sound, finally landed on those, they are my forever strings.

 

[jglunt]

Nope. I've tried them all, either too stiff or too floppy or wrong feel or wrong sound, finally landed on those, they are my forever strings.

Well, it was a thought.

 

[Kindness]

I'd bet anything the core of that string gave up. I've seen it before. It's rare, but it happens.

 

[bullshark]

I'd bet anything the core of that string gave up. I've seen it before. It's rare, but it happens.

It is the string that did this, but the bizarre thing is that it sound fine.

 

[Major Seven]

I suspect a defective string. Buy a new one.

Happened to me.

 

[bullshark]

Well, it was a thought.

Of course. In any case, I just checked Sweetwater and Strings by mail in the US, as well as a bunch of Canadian dealers with a web page and nobody has stock. So, my "forever strings" look like they'll be my "temporary strings"

 

[jglunt]

Here ya go. I don't know if they ship to Canada, but if not, and if they have Guitar Centers there, they are the same thing and might have some in stock in a store.

Fender 9050L Stainless Steel Flatwound Long Scale Bass Strings - Light

Get the guaranteed best price on 4 String Sets for Electric Bass like the Fender 9050L Stainless Steel Flatwound Long Scale Bass Strings - Light at Musician's Friend. Get a low price and free...

www.musiciansfriend.com

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

Years ago I had a bass that was in heavy rotation and intonated very solidly. I cycled it out for a while and when I pulled it out again after a few months the "G" string would not intonate! I did the open string/12th fret thing but above the 12th fret it was horribly out! Nothing worked! Restrung it and everything was hunky dory. Still have it, still gig it. No problems. Sometimes, when a string goes it REALLY goes!

BBB

 

[Kindness]

It is the string that did this, but the bizarre thing is that it sound fine.

That's not bizarre. That's how both I've seen were. Sounded fine, but stopped intonating.

 

[Lowbrow]

Change your strings.