intonation question

[Marcus Pryce]

Hi. I'm a building a guitar by myself with a Fender Squier neck. The intonation is OK up to about the 15th fret. Beyond that, things get strange. For instance, 19th fret on the G string is too sharp to be the octave with 17th fret on the A string. Also, frets that make octaves with open strings are also too sharp beyond the 15th fret. Any suggestions on how I could go about fixing this? The string length is correct, I believe, at 64.5 mm.

[martinedwards]

assuming you're using an adjustable bridge, it's not a big job

bear in mind that the string length needs to be the scale length PLUS the thickness of the CORE of the string.

read this (http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/Electric_Guitar_Intonation.htm)

Adjusting your intonation- If, after tuning the string to pitch it plays sharp at the 12th fret then you will need to increase the strings length by moving its saddle further from the fingerboard. If the note is flat, the string must be shortened by moving the saddle closer to the fingerboard.
Make sure to retune after each adjustment, recheck and adjust if necessary.

12th Fret Plays Sharp - move the saddle away from the fingerboard
12th Fret Plays Flat - move the saddle closer to the fingerboard

[mishmannah]

12th Fret Plays Sharp - move the saddle away from the fingerboard
12th Fret Plays Flat - move the saddle closer to the fingerboard


Very consisely put...I am wondering if the same can loosely apply to the saddle on the acoustic- providing the initial bridge placement is correct, minor intonation problems (like the one I have on the B string, it being sharp)...simply sanding the string's breakpoint further back on the bone saddle than the others should solve any intonation problems...

[martinedwards]

Yup mish that should do it.

If you need another saddle lemme Know, I have a box full....

or you could just pinch one off a dog somewhere!!!

[mishmannah]

Yup mish that should do it.

If you need another saddle lemme Know, I have a box full....

Cheers mate.

or you could just pinch one off a dog somewhere!!!

Uhhhh, I'd think that my boss would miss her darling Terriers if I- :_devil: ....oh, you mean....... :D

[Slight Return]

Don't forget to check the 19th fret harmonic as well. Also, make sure that your saddles are staggered (height wise) according to the radius of the fingerboard. There is no need to have any saddle slanted; just keep both sides of the individual saddles even.

Make sure you've got good strings on, as well. Dirt and grime can build up on the string, and that can lead to HORRIFIC problems. If you let it go on long enough, that gunk will add a substantial amount of mass to the string, and your intonation can easily get wickedly thrown off.

Frets, too! Make sure that all of the frets are crowned and level. A 'flat file' is bad, as the point of intonation changes, and a poor/uneven crown will also make everything play out of tune.

Push your strings down in front of the saddle after putting them on to ensure that the string is sitting tight and is on an even plane. Replace the saddle springs if you have to, and make sure everything is secure.

EDIT: Ideally, there should be about .006" of relief in the neck.