Members Thunderbroom Posted September 20, 2005 Members Share Posted September 20, 2005 I'm adjusting the intonation on my P bass (changed the tuning to BEAD). I'm a little confused. I'm using my TU-2 for checking the intonation. I'm tuning my open E to B. When I check the harmonic at the 12th fret it is a "B". The fretted 12th is sharp. I know that I have to adjust the saddles to correct the intonation but am confused as to why the harmonic/fretted 12th fret are different. The new "E" (old A) is doing the same. The other two strings are fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassman1956 Posted September 20, 2005 Members Share Posted September 20, 2005 The harmonic is exactly half the fundamental. If the fundamental's right on, the harmonic will be also, and it has nothing to do with the physical aspect of the fret, only the half-way point of the unfretted string. The fret, on the other hand, takes in account all of the physical aspects of being fretted there: placement, string tension, height of action, anything at all that can affect it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members illidian Posted September 20, 2005 Members Share Posted September 20, 2005 It's because the 12th fret isn't exactly half of the string length. For example, the 12th fret is probably at 17" (34" scale bass), but intonation adjustments can make the 34" scale more like a 33.5" to a 34.5" scale. I think this is right... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bnyswonger Posted September 20, 2005 Members Share Posted September 20, 2005 Jeff - if you look at bridges much, you'll notice that generally the saddles are back further on the lower strings to properly intonate the instrument. I think that when you lower the pitches (and I'm guessing you've gone to heavier strings) it wants more length from nut to saddle to accomodate that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thunderbroom Posted September 20, 2005 Author Members Share Posted September 20, 2005 Originally posted by bassman1956 The fret, on the other hand, takes in account all of the physical aspects of being fretted there: placement, string tension, height of action, anything at all that can affect it. It is my understanding that to set the intonation correctly, the open string and the fretted note at the 12th fret should be the same. Am I correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thunderbroom Posted September 20, 2005 Author Members Share Posted September 20, 2005 Originally posted by bnyswonger Jeff - if you look at bridges much, you'll notice that generally the saddles are back further on the lower strings to properly intonate the instrument. I think that when you lower the pitches (and I'm guessing you've gone to heavier strings) it wants more length from bridge to saddle to accomodate that. I'm using the same strings .105 > .45. I just decided to detune to BEAD from EADG without changing strings. It sounds good (to me) but the intonation is off at the 12th fret. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bnyswonger Posted September 20, 2005 Members Share Posted September 20, 2005 Originally posted by Thunderbroom It is my understanding that to set the intonation correctly, the open string and the fretted note at the 12th fret should be the same. Am I correct? That's one way to do it. I always check intonation at the 5th and 7th fret too, because that's where spend most of your time. If the 5th fret intonation doesn't agree with the 12th, I defer to the 5th or try to strike a compromise. Tempered scale instruments are never perfect, you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bnyswonger Posted September 20, 2005 Members Share Posted September 20, 2005 Originally posted by Thunderbroom I'm using the same strings .105 > .45.I just decided to detune to BEAD from EADG without changing strings. It sounds good (to me) but the intonation is off at the 12th fret. Part of your problem might be here - there's not as much tension on the strings and they behave differently when plucked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassman1956 Posted September 20, 2005 Members Share Posted September 20, 2005 Originally posted by Thunderbroom It is my understanding that to set the intonation correctly, the open string and the fretted note at the 12th fret should be the same.Am I correct? I think so, but I'm sure someone will say no. Some people prefer the harmonic at the 12th to the fretted note at the 12th. Little difference between those strategies. Like bnyswonger, I may adjust to more of my liking in the range that I play. For instance, I get really ticked if the note at the fretted 5th doesn't match the note of the open string the next string up. It's a personal pet peave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thunderbroom Posted September 20, 2005 Author Members Share Posted September 20, 2005 I've got it adjusted. It just took a little more patience than I was exhibiting. The strings are a tad less taut than they were before I detuned it, but are tighter than many 5 strings I've played in stores. I'll just need to continue to play lightly and let my amp do its job. BEAD kicks ass! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rikshaw Posted September 20, 2005 Members Share Posted September 20, 2005 Originally posted by Thunderbroom BEAD kicks ass! i have the perfect candidate for this bwahahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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