It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 4:24 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 

Do you set your intonation?
yes 100%  100%  [ 8 ]
no 0%  0%  [ 0 ]
no 0%  0%  [ 0 ]
Total votes : 8
Author Message
Post subject: Intonation and tuning by harmonics.
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:54 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:22 pm
Posts: 141
Some thirty years ago, Guitarplayer would run articles on among other things guitar repair.
The word at the time was octaves at the 12th fret.
Close, but not close enough.

First, you need to overdrive to hear the overtones.
Then you tune by harmonics;
1st string, tap it at the 7th fret, comparing it to tapping the 2d string, 5th fret.
If it rings clear, you're good.
If it waves slowly, you're close.
If it beats rapidly you're not.

3d string, fret the 1st fret and tap the 8th fret, comparing it to tapping the 3d string, 5th fret.
4th string, tap it at the 5th fret, compared to tapping the 3d string, 7th fret.
5th string, tap it at the 5th fret, comparing it to tapping the 4th string, 7th fret.
6th string, tap it at the 5th fret, comparing it to tapping the 5th string, 7th fret.

The rule of thumb;
if the fretted note is sharp, move the saddle in toward the saddle plate.
if the fretted note is flat, move it out toward the neck.

1. The B saddle as in fretting G at the 20th fret, comparing it to tapping the 3d string at the 5th fret.
You adjust the saddle for the 2d string first because it gives you a zeroed scale that you use to adjust the first string.
-If you have a hardtail or blocked tremolo, you won't have to retune after moving any saddle.

2. The E saddle as in fretting B on the 19th fret, comparing it to tapping the 3d string at the 5th fret.

3. The G saddle as in fretting E on the 3d string, 21st fret, comparing it to the 1st fret, tapped at the 5th fret.

4. The D saddle as in fretting B on the 4th string, 21st fret, comparing it to the 2d string tapped at the 5th fret.

5. The A string saddle as in E on the 5th string, 19th fret, comparing it to tapping the 6th string it at the 5th fret.

6. E as in A on the 6th string, 17th fret, comparing it to tapping the 5th string at the 5th fret.
Don't be surprised if you have to remove the spring to set this particular saddle. If you remove it, set it on another saddle shaft to not lose it.

If your neck bow has changed, you reset the saddles.
If you change string guage(s), or brands, you reset the affected saddles.
If you adjust your trem springs, you reset the saddles.
If you change the saddle height you reset the saddle(s).


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 6:17 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:47 am
Posts: 15336
Location: In a galaxy far far away
Quote:
If your neck bow has changed, you reset the saddles.


Suprising how many people forget that one.

_________________
No no and no


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 4:44 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:31 pm
Posts: 2122
Location: Southern California Mountains
That's all true, but a complicated way to look at it.

The way I set Intonation:

Using a Tuning Device, tune the guitar
Fret the 1st String at the 12th Fret and see what the tuner reads. Now hit the 12th Fret Harmonic. It should be exactly the same reading on the tuner.
If the Fretted note is Sharp (to high), lengthen the string. If the Fretted Note is Flat (to low) Shorten the string.
Repeat on all strings, retune the guitar and reapeat the prosess until it's all in tonated. If its a Hardtail you probably only have to go through it once.

Once your guitar is intonated the 5th Fret Harmonic=7th Fret Harmonic works great for everything except the B string. Darn B String.

_________________
"Persistence Is The Father Of Invention"
-Crazy Old Man In Training
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 4:57 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:44 pm
Posts: 559
FirstMeasure wrote:
That's all true, but a complicated way to look at it.

The way I set Intonation:

Using a Tuning Device, tune the guitar
Fret the 1st String at the 12th Fret and see what the tuner reads. Now hit the 12th Fret Harmonic. It should be exactly the same reading on the tuner.
If the Fretted note is Sharp (to high), lengthen the string. If the Fretted Note is Flat (to low) Shorten the string.
Repeat on all strings, retune the guitar and reapeat the prosess until it's all in tonated. If its a Hardtail you probably only have to go through it once.

Once your guitar is intonated the 5th Fret Harmonic=7th Fret Harmonic works great for everything except the B string. Darn B String.


Interesting that you mention the "B" string. My Korg Tuner doesn't even register a reading on the "B" string.

_________________
Calling an illegal alien an undocumented immigrant is like calling a drug dealer an undocumented pharmicist.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: