Hot Tub Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 I fitted a new set of RotoSound Nexus strings a couple of months back. That in itself was a revelation! :blush: However, I've been progressively less happy with the "accuracy" of notes around and above 5th position, despite having my tuner on its most accurate range setting and being absolutely spot on for the open strings. Some notes, I'm not sure how to describe this, just don't seem to "fit right". Time, I thought, to have a look at intonation. I had a read of various books and did a bit of research, and despite some of the horror stories I'd heard, it seemed pretty straightforward. Straightforward, I'm happy to say, is a gross overstatement! It's an absolute piece of p!ss stroll in the park! Half an hour to set up my 5-string from start to finish! And the difference is amazing! Suddenly it sounds accurate, precise, and... well... beautiful! I guess the deterioration must be pretty gradual, exacerbated no doubt by the new strings, but I'm amazed that I could tolerate it at all. Seriously, it's like a new instrument, and so incredibly easy to do! Happy Hot Tub just wanted to share! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7string Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 It's one of those things which was so much mystery around it that some players think it's complicated. It's only 1 screw to adjust after all When I set up a bass I deliberately set all the saddles flat so that I creep up on the intonation by degree. This also puts the bend in the string behind the saddle and not in front of it. I also compare the open string against the 12th fret note, not against the harmonic which gives a false reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Tub Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 [quote name='7string' post='575003' date='Aug 20 2009, 01:14 AM']It's one of those things which was so much mystery around it that some players think it's complicated. It's only 1 screw to adjust after all When I set up a bass I deliberately set all the saddles flat so that I creep up on the intonation by degree. This also puts the bend in the string behind the saddle and not in front of it. I also compare the open string against the 12th fret note, not against the harmonic which gives a false reading.[/quote] Pretty much exactly what I did. Probably more luck than judgement, but it seemed like common sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I've always used the harmonic vs 12th fret - how come it gives a false reading? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~tl Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 (edited) It's simple with an electronic tuner. Especially something accurate like a Peterson. It's slightly harder to do it without a tuner, but if you have a good ear it shouldn't be impossible. I prefer to use the open/12th fret method when using a tuner, but find it easier to do harmonic/12th by ear (since they're the same note). I do it every time I change my strings or adjust the action. It's amazing how much it can be thrown out by little changes things. Edited August 20, 2009 by ~tl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrcrow Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 (edited) [quote name='dannybuoy' post='575878' date='Aug 20 2009, 06:03 PM']I've always used the harmonic vs 12th fret - how come it gives a false reading?[/quote] who doesnt...that is what we are intonating the free octave against the set octave the false reading is coming from ???? Edited August 22, 2009 by mrcrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Higgie Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I think he meant Harmonic vs open string? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrcrow Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 [quote name='Higgie' post='578315' date='Aug 23 2009, 04:43 PM']I think he meant Harmonic vs open string?[/quote] sorry i said free octave i meant the second harmonic... the one over the 12th fret..sort of thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1976fenderhead Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I get the open string, the 12th harmonic and the 12th pressed note all in tune! The pressed 12th is only out of tune if I press hard... Actually, last time I did it I also made sure it was all in tune on the 19th as well as the 12th, as I had read that suggestion somewhere, to use the 19th instead... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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