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Intonation Issue

M

Mata Leao

Dec 21, 2017
92
251
#1
I read through a recent thread on an intonation problem. Although there were many useful tips and solutions, none worked for me. E string at the 12th is very sharp, almost an F. Adjust all the way out and all the way back, retune, it stays exactly the same. This is with two different sets of strings.

My Precision has a Fender High Mass bridge. Out of frustration I ordered a Hipshot bridge. Hopefully that works.
 
#2
Mata Leao said:
I read through a recent thread on an intonation problem. Although there were many useful tips and solutions, none worked for me. E string at the 12th is very sharp, almost an F. Adjust all the way out and all the way back, retune, it stays exactly the same. This is with two different sets of strings.

My Precision has a Fender High Mass bridge. Out of frustration I ordered a Hipshot bridge. Hopefully that works.
Click to expand...

What's your procedure for setting intonation? Does the E string saddle actually move during adjustment?

I'm leaning more toward an application (operator) error and not a hardware deficit. Pics may help.

Riis
 
Last edited:
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#6
Mata Leao said:
No I didn't take measurements.
Yes the saddle is moving.
Very likely operator error.
If I still have issues after installing the Hipshot, I'll take it to someone.
Click to expand...

Don't install the Hipshot...yet. It just complicates issues. Do this:

*Withdraw the saddle to its full-back position.

*Using a known tuner, tune to E using the 12th fret harmonic.

*Set your witness points by forcibly pushing down on the string on the leading (fretboard) aspect of the nut and bridge saddle.

*Retune to E using the 12th harmonic then check your 12th fretted. Sharp or flat?

Get back to us and we'll proceed from there.

Riis
 
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#9
Zooberwerx said:
Don't install the Hipshot...yet. It just complicates issues. Do this:

*Withdraw the saddle to its full-back position.

*Using a known tuner, tune to E using the 12th fret harmonic.

*Set your witness points by forcibly pushing down on the string on the leading (fretboard) aspect of the nut and bridge saddle.

*Retune to E using the 12th harmonic then check your 12th fretted. Sharp or flat?

Get back to us and we'll proceed from there.

Riis
Click to expand...

Agreed, something isn't right in the process. @Zooberwerx talking about the witness point (the place from which the saddle restricts vibration to only the section of string between that point and the nut's witness point) is probably on the right path. If that point moves, the intonation should change. If its not changing, that point may not be either (or at least not much).

Also be careful not to fret the 12th really hard while checking, you can pull the string sharp with too much pressure.
 
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#11
Zooberwerx said:
Don't install the Hipshot...yet. It just complicates issues. Do this:

*Withdraw the saddle to its full-back position.

*Using a known tuner, tune to E using the 12th fret harmonic.

*Set your witness points by forcibly pushing down on the string on the leading (fretboard) aspect of the nut and bridge saddle.

*Retune to E using the 12th harmonic then check your 12th fretted. Sharp or flat?

Get back to us and we'll proceed from there.

Riis
Click to expand...
Still sharp, exactly as before.

11th and 13th fret is D# and F as suggested above, but very sharp.

Each fret is just "slightly" sharp until I get to A#, then they go very sharp from there.
 
#13
Is it possible there’s just not enough break angle over the nut so you’re trying to intonate the length of the string from the tuner post to the bridge?

Make sure there’s a good downward break over the nut and when you tighten the E string on the tuner post, it’s pushed as far down toward the headstock as possible where the string meets the post.

Believe it or not, I know a guitar player who didn’t know the reason for string trees (he had played Gibsons and PRSs his whole life). He didn’t like the way the way the trees looked on his new Tele so he took them off then couldn’t understand why he couldn’t get the guitar to intonate properly.
 
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#14
Mata Leao said:
I read through a recent thread on an intonation problem. Although there were many useful tips and solutions, none worked for me. E string at the 12th is very sharp, almost an F. Adjust all the way out and all the way back, retune, it stays exactly the same. This is with two different sets of strings.

My Precision has a Fender High Mass bridge. Out of frustration I ordered a Hipshot bridge. Hopefully that works.
Click to expand...
What tuner are you using?
 
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#16
When I’ve had issues like this, it’s been due to a wonky string.
There is a setup video with Roger Sadowsky and Michael Tonias sharing their insights on setup and both agree this is almost always the cause. Happens more often than one would expect according to those two gentlemen.
I could not get an A string to intonate for the life of me. Could get it close, but then it would go sharp regardless what direction I moved the saddle. Was driving me nuts.
New set of strings, intonation problem disappeared.
Good luck.
 
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#17
Mata Leao said:
Still sharp, exactly as before.

11th and 13th fret is D# and F as suggested above, but very sharp.

Each fret is just "slightly" sharp until I get to A#, then they go very sharp from there.
Click to expand...

If the 12th harmonic and 12th fretted won't match with the saddle fully back, we've got a problem. Can't completely dismiss the string as culpable as I've had problems with the SuperBrights.

Riis
 
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#19
ShawnG said:
When I’ve had issues like this, it’s been due to a wonky string.
There is a setup video with Roger Sadowsky and Michael Tonias sharing their insights on setup and both agree this is almost always the cause. Happens more often than one would expect according to those two gentlemen.
I could not get an A string to intonate for the life of me. Could get it close, but then it would go sharp regardless what direction I moved the saddle. Was driving me nuts.
New set of strings, intonation problem disappeared.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
See here for video referenced above. I believe info on intonation begins ~24-25 mins in (-ish).
The whole video is great. These two have setup more high-end basses than I’ll ever look at in my lifetime. Worth 50 mins of your time, IMO.
 

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