I'm not too crazy about intonation on my B string. Rest of 4 strings don't have as big of a jump, but the B string starts to get all out of wack up the neck. What good are extra notes that aren't in tune?
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Why a 5? Or, How Much Do You Use That Low B?
- Thread starter joelns
- Start date
Sounds like a set up issue. I set my tuning and saddles for open and octave and the rest of the notes along the fret board are pretty damn close.
No it's not.
If I set the intonation on the B, using 12th fret, first 3 frets end up super flat. When I compensate for that, upper frets become super sharp. Setting intonation on every string is a give and take, but even the E string doesn't have a big jump in intonation like the B string.
If I set the intonation on the B, using 12th fret, first 3 frets end up super flat. When I compensate for that, upper frets become super sharp. Setting intonation on every string is a give and take, but even the E string doesn't have a big jump in intonation like the B string.
I use the B string mostly for a thumb rest, but there are a couple of songs where I need it and a couple of songs where it allows some nice walks up to the E string. The truth is though, if I didn't have to have one for the band I'm in, I probably wouldn't because of the extra weight. I guess I'm getting soft in my old age!
As LJVSK said, proper setup and intonation is especially crucial for the B string in particular.
If you've already tried that, well... maybe you should try another string: try a tapered B if you're currently using non-tapered (or vice versa).
Finally: this is where fretwork and build quality can really make a difference. When my Sadowsky is properly intonated the B string is in tune above the 12th fret. Same's true with my Nordstrand.
I don't set my tuning to the 12th fret alone. I do it to open B and at the octave of B. It's a process and when done properly nothing should be flat or sharp as long as you don't run out of saddle adjustment.
I don't get the extra weight issue. I've had many 4 strings that weigh much more than my Roscoe 5 - 7.8 pounds if 5 string goodness and B string thunder.
Of course, I'm using open string and 12th to start.
After matching open note to 12th, I play all the individual notes up the neck and see how much off they're on the tuner.
Matching open string to 12th fret is not all there is to intonation. If I don't play up the neck, there is no reason to intonate using 12th fret. It's the nature of the beast, and you have to compromise where on the fretboard you want the notes to be "on" or "off" It's just that the B string has a narrower range of notes "in tune", compared to other thinner strings. The B string rapidly starts going sharp, as you go up the neck. It has nothing to do with where you set the intonation.
After matching open note to 12th, I play all the individual notes up the neck and see how much off they're on the tuner.
Matching open string to 12th fret is not all there is to intonation. If I don't play up the neck, there is no reason to intonate using 12th fret. It's the nature of the beast, and you have to compromise where on the fretboard you want the notes to be "on" or "off" It's just that the B string has a narrower range of notes "in tune", compared to other thinner strings. The B string rapidly starts going sharp, as you go up the neck. It has nothing to do with where you set the intonation.
I have 8 basses, six four string, one five string and one six string. The five string is heavier than all of my 4 strings. I'm sure I could find a lighter one, but I it sounds perfect to me and I'd rather deal with the extra weight. It wasn't an issue 30 years ago.
Most people think matching open string to 12th fret is the end, and don't even bother to check how individual notes are in tune. Have you?
I only play fivers. I use my b string all the time. I do have a four banger but I purchased it as a cost-effective solution a while back.
I wouldn't mind having a good four stringer for slap only, though. But I can easily solve that with a wide-spaced fiver.
I wouldn't mind having a good four stringer for slap only, though. But I can easily solve that with a wide-spaced fiver.
I spent 2 hours doing a proper cleaning and setup on my 5. It is very much in tune and stays in tune from the nut on down. BEADG
I specifically said that when my Sadowsky and Nordstrand are properly intontated, their B strings are in tune above the 12th fret -- meaning every note from the nut to somewhere above the 12th fret. How far above depends on how carefully I intonate the bass, but I once had a bandmate remark on how in tune my B string was when I played a sustained E on the 17th fret. I don't know that I ever play the B string above the 17th fret, it gets hard to reach up there.
When I joined the current band, they played quite a lot of the material that required the drop D tuning on my 4-string, Now, I don;t mind that tuning, and even had two 4-string basses to use on a gig, but decided to give a 5-string a try...and I just felt at home! Although, from the get go, I sought out a fiver that had a fairly wide string spacing at the bridge. Now I have two 5-strings and one 4-string, but play the 5's most of the time.
I just can't believe that. Every note in tune above 12th fret on the B string? I don't buy it.
I believe it. A quality build and proper setup will achieve this. I've achieved this with my Gibson basses.
- Jul 30, 2006
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- Endorsing artist:Regenerate Guitar Works Carvin, Micheal Kelly Guitars
Why would you NOT want multiple options on where you can play figures on the neck? Why would you NOT want added low (or high) notes? My B strings are intonated correctly. If they weren't my tech wouldn't get paid. A lot of players bend the strings up higher on the neck with poor technique. Believe That.
To be clear: I said that when my B string is properly intonated, every note through the 17th fret can be in tune.
That was more range than I expected, given the thickness of the B string. And it isn't always true, say when I'm lazy and don't properly intonate. Sometimes poorer-than-usual intonation might be because of string quality, or maybe sloppy installation on my part (twist or bend). Really, as long as I can get a full octave out of the low B string then I'm fine. When I play above the 12th fret neck I rarely descend to the low B, as it can be awkward to reach on my wide-spaced neck with my smallish hands.
Another point to consider: if the pickups are too close to the strings, then the pickup magnets can throw intonation off. This is especially true for the thicker strings, and when playing high up the fretboard.
