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~ Adjusting and setting intonation~
Guitar Intonation Adjustments
Many electric guitars come with adjustable saddles to allow proper string intonation of the instrument.
You will notice this type saddle on most Gibson guitars (called a "tune-o-matic"). If you have ever played
a guitar that seems to get further out of tune the closer you play towards the body of the guitar, it is likely
that it has not been properly intoned.
You will notice this type saddle on most Gibson guitars (called a "tune-o-matic"). If you have ever played
a guitar that seems to get further out of tune the closer you play towards the body of the guitar, it is likely
that it has not been properly intoned.
How to check your guitars intonation yourself:
(1) Start out with an electric guitar tuner & a set of fresh batteries.
(2) Tune the instrument with the tuner (if your tuner comes with an in-line jack it will be best to use this)
(3) Now carefully check each individual string for the exact tune (the 12th fret harmonic should be used)
(4) If the string shows "tuned" according to the electric tuner, simply press down on the string at the
12th fret noting with the tuner if the string has gone sharp or flat. If the string does not keep exact tune,
it is not properly set.
{Note: Be sure that none of the other strings are creating vibration while checking the current string.
You can place a small piece of masking tape on the strings you want to dampen to assure there will be
no background disturbance}
(5) If you find the fretted note is flat then that means your string length is too long for that particular string.
You need to shorten the length of that string by turning the screw on the saddle until the string plays in
pitch. Recheck the string. Do the opposite adjustment for a string that plays sharp.
(6) This can be a daunting task the first time you attempt to adjust your guitar intonation. If you have too
much difficulty, (or just cannot figure this out) most guitar shops charge around $15 to $25 to adjust your
guitar intonation. However, learning to do this is part of routine maintenance. Changing string gauges
or resting your hand on the tail piece (my habit) will result in needing minor adjustments from time to
time to the intonation.
(1) Start out with an electric guitar tuner & a set of fresh batteries.
(2) Tune the instrument with the tuner (if your tuner comes with an in-line jack it will be best to use this)
(3) Now carefully check each individual string for the exact tune (the 12th fret harmonic should be used)
(4) If the string shows "tuned" according to the electric tuner, simply press down on the string at the
12th fret noting with the tuner if the string has gone sharp or flat. If the string does not keep exact tune,
it is not properly set.
{Note: Be sure that none of the other strings are creating vibration while checking the current string.
You can place a small piece of masking tape on the strings you want to dampen to assure there will be
no background disturbance}
(5) If you find the fretted note is flat then that means your string length is too long for that particular string.
You need to shorten the length of that string by turning the screw on the saddle until the string plays in
pitch. Recheck the string. Do the opposite adjustment for a string that plays sharp.
(6) This can be a daunting task the first time you attempt to adjust your guitar intonation. If you have too
much difficulty, (or just cannot figure this out) most guitar shops charge around $15 to $25 to adjust your
guitar intonation. However, learning to do this is part of routine maintenance. Changing string gauges
or resting your hand on the tail piece (my habit) will result in needing minor adjustments from time to
time to the intonation.