Intonation on flatwound strings

[franzbassist]

So I have just fitted a set of Lakland flats on my Sandberg VT5. They sound and feel great, the tension is perfect, but I can't seem to get the intonation right. I can tune the bass and nail the harmonic no problem, but fretted notes always seem sharp.

Is this common with flats? I don't remember it being an issue with La Bellas or D'Addarios in the past.

Do they just need to stretch in?

Cheers

Gareth

[KiOgon]

I don't have any problem with flats & I've tried several, favourites being GHS Precision Flats, which I believe are Sandbergs, so not a common problem IMO.
Not wishing to offend - are you bending the string over/behind the fret when checking the tuning? Is the action a bit high? Just thinking maybe they don't 'bend' as easy as rounds, streching/changing length more & giving a bad reading when intonating, dunno just thinking out loud really

Cheerz, John

[franzbassist]

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1353496839' post='1875142']
I don't have any problem with flats & I've tried several, favourites being GHS Precision Flats, which I believe are Sandbergs, so not a common problem IMO.
Not wishing to offend - are you bending the string over/behind the fret when checking the tuning? Is the action a bit high? Just thinking maybe they don't 'bend' as easy as rounds, streching/changing length more & giving a bad reading when intonating, dunno just thinking out loud really
[/quote]

Hi John

Thanks for that. Just spent a little time playing around and it seems better this morning. Just about nailed it on all strings now.

Cheers

Gareth

[redstriper]

I think heavy gauge flats create more of a bow in the neck and that affects the intonation around the middle of the neck, where the action is too high.
The answer is to tighten the truss rod a bit, to get the neck straighter.
Or use lighter gauge flats.

[franzbassist]

Hi guys

Just re-read my original post and I wasn't clear... it's only the fretted note at the 12th fret that's a touch sharp when setting the intonation.

I tweaked the truss rod when I changed the strings last night: I've checked it again just now and it's fine (same as when the bass had rounds on)

Cheers

Gareth

Edited November 21, 2012 by walbassist