TI Flats question

[Nobis17]

So I have TI flats on my Nash PB-63. It sounds good, but a few things I’ve noticed:

-The red nylon on the ball end is wound past the bridge saddles, so the point where the strings are sitting on the saddles is still wound with nylon. Is this a problem?

-the D string intonation is spot on on the open string and the 12th fret, but is off enough at Ab to be audibly noticeable. Is this a result of the nylon on the saddle? Or should I try to adjust the intonation?

The bridge is the only thing that I’m not crazy about on this bass, in a perfect world, it would be a string through bass bridge with brass saddles, but I like the aesthetics of what I have now. I just want it to be in tune the whole length of the neck.

Suggestions?

 

[Moving Pictures]

I ran TIs for years. IMO you need to revisit your setup and fix the intonation. TIs should not have the tuning problem you describe. I found them easy to intonate. Start at the beginning, set your witness points and I think you will solve your issue. One question, do you use feeler gauges and a ruler to check your setup? I find that useful. I also have tools to measure the strings against the neck radius.

Regarding the bridge you can gently use a razor blade to trim back the silk. I’ve never had the silk go onto the saddle.

I’m sure others will be able to provide some constructive feedback for you as well.

 

[Jeff Scott]

No string will intonate perfectly at all fret positions, that's where a fretless bass rules supreme. It's just the nature of the beast. Just find a best, most palatable compromise.

 

[GIBrat51]

No string will intonate perfectly at all fret positions, that's where a fretless bass rules supreme. It's just the nature of the beast. Just find a best, most palatable compromise.

^This^ I'm afraid; much as we fretted bass players don't like to acknowledge it. Fortunately for me, for what most of us were playing in the '60s - when I learned to play? Most bass players didn't pay much attention to intonation at all. Since it was a red letter day when we got anywhere close to the 12th fret, tuning the bass with the guitar(s) and "sorta" checking the intonation was good enough. And, with some of the basses that were available to young (and poor) bass players at the time? "Close enough" was often all the intonation you were going to get, anyway... To this day, for what I like to play, checking the intonation at the 12th fret is more than sufficient for me...