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Post subject: strat intonation issues.
Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 2:29 pm
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hey guys,
seems that every time i replace the strings on my strat it goes out of whack,
i usually grab my tuner and i check the open string tuning and also fret @ the 12th and adjust the saddles accordingly.
Now once i am done this i play my guitar and it still sounds a little off especially on the B and G strings (2 and 3rd) ,

now my question is what im i doing wrong? is it because maybe i am stringing my guitar wrong ? not enough turns on the posts?
my tuner maybe sucks? i am using a cheap 20$ korg @ 440hz.

cheers and happy holidays to all
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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 4:30 pm
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G strings always have issues. It's just the nature of the beast.

I can tell you that you shouldn't have to mess with the saddles every time you change strings. Depending on how much you play, you shouldn't have to adjust the intonation more then once or twice a year.

My suggestion would be to spend the $50 or so it takes to get a pro set-up. Then don't mess with it! Your tech can tell you if there are any other issues that could be causing your problem. It could be the bridge, too much relief in the neck causing scale length problems........or it could be your ears and you're just messing it up everytime you change strings.

How long have you been playing? How long have you been doing your own setups?

You did mention that you check the strings open and at the 12 the fret. Do you check the harmonic and the fretted note at the 12th fret?

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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 4:42 pm
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hi thanks for your reply!
i have been playing for a little over a year so not very long at all,

as far as setting up this is my 2nd or 3rd time and before that was when i had it setup proffesionally.

My string gauges have not changed at all (11/49) but when i got it back from the shop it sounded perfect,
when it came the time to put new strings in and tuned it was a little off to me so i had to tinker with the saddles to get it back to where it was ok now everytime i put new strings of the same gauge i find myself fiddling with it to get it back to where its proper.

Seems that i am the one doing something wrong or not doing the setup part right?

i saw a video online that outlined how to set the intonation in the video the guy was checking the open string and fretted at the 12th but he made no mention about the harmonics, can you tell me a bit about that? or what i should be looking for ?

thanks a lot , i dont mind spending the cash to get it setup but its such a hassle to drop it off and leave it for days as i cant go a single day without playing hehe.

cheers & thank you. :D


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Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 12:24 pm
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Here's the question that should be asked first:

What brand of strings are you using?

Many of them are not consistent from set to set, and the "G" is the sore thumb.


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:08 pm
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hey guys yeah this is truly strange like im checking open string, fretted and harmonics at 12th and it all looks fine on my tuner but when i actually go to play it , its not tuned.

Im beginning to think maybe my tuner is at fault?
it sounded fine yesterday but i took the strings off because they were dirty and put new ones and i just have not been able to intonate it properly , like what kind of a tuner would a shop use to do this? (im using a chromatic korg)

Im using fender super bullet strings but yeah i think i may get some better strings and saddles as well if i take it to the shop to fix the intonation.


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:31 pm
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Try D'Addario XLs. Very consistent intonation from set to set.

A shop would use a strobe tuner like an old Conn or Peterson, or a Peterson Virtual Strobe, or a copy of StroboSoft on a computer. I am a StroboSoft user, and I can tell you that the accuracy is off the hook..


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 2:01 pm
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thans jim!

i dont feel like actually taking it in for intonation yet, i kind of want to be able to do this myself .
I read up on strobosoft, it sounds promising for 50$ so im going to check it out and hopefully this is a better solution than the korgs


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 2:36 pm
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Prepare to be amazed. I couldn't work without it anymore.

Also, the user support from Peterson is excellent, so if you hit a snag don't hesitate to contact them.


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Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 5:08 pm
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Change strings one at the time and stretch them before going to the next.
Check the 12th string harmonic with the fretted note (12th string).

Cheap tuner user


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Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 5:18 pm
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Sometimes when I change strings, I find that the intonation is off on all of the strings about the same amount.

When that's the case, the float of the bridge is usually off. So a quick adjust of the trem spring claw screws brings it all back into adjustment. I don't have to mess with the saddles.

Well, sometimes it's not so quick, because after every turn of screws, you have to retune the strings and check the intonation.

Good luck with it and, most of all, have fun with it.

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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:58 am
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Perhaps you should look at the nut instead of the saddles / bridge? Maybe the offending string has a nut slot that is a bit too high... You didn't mention whether the intonation was off on the sharp side or on the flat side...


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 2:00 pm
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hey guys just wanted to thank everyone for their help, i was able to perfectly intonate my guitar with strobosoft,
such great software and very accurate! turns it was my cheap chromatic tuner just giving me bad readings,
cheers guys!
happy new year, :D


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Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:56 am
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herbs, good on ya! Like I said, I can't use anything but StroboSoft now... once you get used to the real accuracy of it, no case-box tuner makes it.


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