Setting your Intonation

[DrNomis_44]

Have I mentioned how much I dislike de tuning sticks on Guitars?

Some people like them and some people don't, just imagine how boring the world would be if everyone liked the same things, diversity is cool.

[FlyHog85]

I'm having troubles with the guitar breaking strings once string up. Im nit sure what the issue is as I've checked for burrs and neck distance to the bridge etc. Is there something I'm missing here?

[Brendan]

Good to see you've got this nutted Fly...

[Zandit75]

On my LP Build, I've been able to perfectly intonate the A string, all the way to the top E String.
The Bass E string is still a little Sharp when checking the octave, and I've run out of adjustment on the bridge.
Any suggestions?

[wazkelly]

Sometimes you may need to flip the saddle 180 degrees so that the more perpendicular face is at the rear. If it is already this way around best to wait for another expert to drop in with their comments.

[Zandit75]

Yeah I thought that would be workable, but it already is facing that direction. I'll continue waiting I guess!

[wazkelly]

Hi mate, had a look at the completed build and the bridge is facing the right way as are the bridge saddles. All you can do is wind that sucker back as far as it will go.

How sharp is it? to reduce the sharpness the string needs to be lengthened and if out by a lot that means repositioning the neck as I presume Bridge post holes were already pre-drilled. If out by a smidgen maybe raise the bridge on that side a bit as that will lengthen the string a tad. String gauges play their small part too and have copied in this extract found on the web.....Yes, string gauge DOES affect intonation. If your bridge saddles are as far back as they can go (or a fixed bridge) and your intonation is still a couple of cents sharp, use a .001 or .002 Thinner gauge string to flatten the intonation. Conversely, use a thicker gauge string to automatically Sharpen intonation without moving the saddle(s).
Not sure what came with the kit but LP's usually end up with 10-46 which is what I am gradually migrating to however bending notes takes a bit more effort compared to the 9-42 sets I have been using for over 30 years. In this instance maybe switching to 9-42 set might give you the correct low E intonation?

[Zandit75]

Thanks Waz, most appreciated.
I checked it again last night, and it was closer than what it was the other night, so I'm going to leave it.
I still have the Chinese strings fitted, I was going to put on the Ernie Balls I got with the kit, but the G-String is rusted.
I'm looking at getting a heavier set anyway, I don't feel comfortable with these flimsy feeling strings! I'm too used to acoustic strings.

[wazkelly]

Cheers buddy. Don't go any heavier than 10-46 as that is what is standard recommended for a LP and thicker will push that low E harmonic a bit sharper.

[Simon Barden]

Zandit, if you are using the ABR type bridge that came with the kit and you are still having intonation issues, then changing to a Nashville style tune-o-matic might help, as they have a greater range of fore-and-aft travel on them compared to an ABR type. However, hopefully changing to a good set of fresh new strings will solve your issues.