Intonation question

[hhenry]

When you look at the bridge of a properly intonated guitar you will most often see a more or less even pattern. Saddle will be furthest back on the E (or B) and taper to the G. Every now and then you see a guitar with no pattern whatsoever. Every string is up or down. What gives here? Any thoughts?

Cheers.

 

[Antny]

Could be an issue at the nut....the string seating is a factor, as is the 'action' of each string. If one string sits a bit higher that the other, it could affect the intonation.

 

[Arranger]

Don't look for a pattern there. Whether the saddles appear organized or orderly is no indication of the quality or temperament of the instrument or its ability to be tuned well.

Many factors will influence the position of the saddles and very minor differences in those factors will set the saddle positions wildly. String gauge and elasticity, string construction (in particular round wound external shape), saddle depth and saddle shape and bridge position will all have an impact on the ideal location of the point where the sting crosses over the saddle. Sting diameters rarely match the saddle grooves perfectly across every string in a set.

The only thing that matters is whether the intonation and temperament of the instrument CAN be set satisfactorily. Even if the saddle positions seem extreme, let your ears decide.

 

[hhenry]

I agree absolutely. I was just wondering what physics were at play to cause most guitars to conform to your typical "compensated saddle" shape and others to be completely random.

 

[ehque]

I sometimes notice "abnormalities" in the bridge saddles where string construction changes - for example, tapered to non-tapered or from 2-wrap to 1-wrap or 1-wrap to plain string. This is especially obvious if you look at a well compensated acoustic bridge. I wouldn't put too much thought into it. Intonation settings are mainly designed to compensate for string flexibility, (thickness being a big factor, but string construction also) so these results should not be surprising.