Intonation problems
Not sure if this is the right forum for this, so please move if it isn't.
I am having all kinds of problems with intonation with my bass, I get it tuned in and then within a month, it is back out again. I used the set up guide on this site to get it set the first time, but it seems to me that if the intonation is constantly falling out, that there might be something more significant wrong.
Any ideas?
For the record, I have a relatively cheap bass (an Epiphone Powerbass) that is better than 15 years old (it is a 1992 model), but if I can get some minor issues fixed out on it, it feels alot like a fender deluxe P bass with a Jazz size neck and a P/J pickup combo (and it is all black which is a definate bonus), so I'd prefer to fix this one up rather than buy a new one. I'm currently running with XL170s for strings and the pickup/electronics that came on the bass with I bought it (don't know if they are stock or not, as I bought it used)
Wow, TK, that doesn't sound
Wow, TK, that doesn't sound like fun. I wonder if the Florida weather is having any affect on it? Do you take this one out much? Is the place where you keep/play it more-or-less the same temperature most of the time?
How new are the strings? Old strings can get to a point where they won't stay in tune at all, which makes it that much harder to dial in the intonation.
I suppose it is possible that the bridge might be the culprit. If the saddles were managing to move due to the vibration of the bass, that could affect it. But I would guess the downward pressure on them from the strings would make that unlikely.
Hmmm. I'm perplexed. Bo? I see you're online. Take a crack at this one?
Wheat
bassplaying.com
Pretty much the only time
Pretty much the only time this one goes out (right now) is when I take it to my lessons. I'm figuring the strings are about 2 months old (I don't remember exactly when I changed them out) as I've only been playing it regularly for about 3 and a half months. So, most of the time, it is just played in my living room, which is kept pretty even. But then, I don't play quite as much as some of you as I can normally only get it out for an hour or so a day, so figure the strings should last a bit longer for me.
As for the strings, they seem to hold tune at the top and other than a few tweeks every week or so, stay in tune. But I've had to adjust the intonation once this year and it is out again.
Wondering if transporting it to my bass lessons is knocking it out though... I wouldn't think so as I have a hard side case for it, but who knows.
It really sounds like it's
It really sounds like it's not enough activity to throw off the intonation. How far off is it getting? I'm bad, in that I don't keep a real close check on mine. So I don't know how long it takes it to fall out. String age, given what you posted, wouldn't be a factor. So I'm thinking maybe some mechanical defect with the bridge itself. I'd try using some tape or something to mark the current locations of the saddles and see if they're vibrating out of place.
That's a puzzler. I'm waiting for someone else to chime in with ideas.
Wheat
bassplaying.com
Not far, in the grand scheme
Not far, in the grand scheme of things. I don't have a great tuner, but it is passable for most of my needs (it is a Korg GA30). But according to it, I am at around 444-446 (instead of 440) on the 12th fret on the E string. What is really weird is, checking other notes on that string (like fret 5/A) come out near perfect, but once I hit the 12th fret, it begins to really fall out of tune. Also, trying to adjust the bridge didn't seem to impact it at all tonight.
At my lesson last night, the other three were showing up out of whak, but today the D and G strings are back where they were before (so that may of been weather related) and the A is only slightly out (they were all way out last night).
Going to keep an eye on it, maybe it was just a weird fluke thing last night.
One other question, would drop tuning the strings to D for one of my lessons messed the string up? It was something my teacher wanted to show me, but it is the only odd thing I can think of that I had done to my bass prior to this coming up.
I've glanced over what you
I've glanced over what you and Wheat have posted. Have you taken a look down the neck? Are there any weird twists or bends apparent? If so, I'd think you have a major problem (I hate to say that) that only a real technician could fix. It might even require replacing the (dare I say it?) neck altogether.
As you play, listen for rattles and buzzes and try to home in on them. Info like that may help a tech find the problem. Oh, I almost forgot; high, low, or loose frets may be the cause. Just some things to think about.
I have a Frankenbass P-bass that gave me some buzzing problems and intonation problems. Ultimately (after fret levelling), I did one last truss rod tweak and now it plays like butter. Lots of things could be causing this.
What I'm trying to say is not to forget anything. Each part of an instrument affects the other. Consider everything and don't be afraid to ask your local shop lots of annoying questions if you have to.
Bo
You don't love me, you just love my FINGERSTYLE!
Peavey T40; SX/Squier P-bass; Spector Legend 5
Roland Bass 30 Cube
Bo
You don't love me, you just love my FINGERSTYLE!
Peavey T40; SX/Squier P-bass; Spector Legend 5
Roland Bass 30 Cube
I looked down the neck, I
I looked down the neck, I didn't see anything that seemed odd on it and it seemed straight to me.
Thanks for the info. I've
Thanks for the info. I've not noticed any major buzzing, other than my sometimes inability to land on the strings right. I'll look at the neck, I've been able to get the intonation right, but it doesn't stay there. If I can't get it right, I'll probably end up taking it in to the shop though.
again, thanks!
-TK
an additional note, it
an additional note, it appears that it is predominatly one area of frets that is out and only on the one string (12th Fret and up on the E string). The rest are pretty close to being on where they should be.
what if.....
you go on farther past the 12th fret.....do they continue to be off ? or is it at the 12th fret only....
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Greg
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Greg
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*and it harm none,do what thou will*
yes, it continues to be out
yes, it continues to be out after that fret.
Update on Intonation problem
well...
I went to change out my strings (wanted to try some Ernie Balls) and while at the store, I picked up a 'tips' book and they mentioned something about checking to see if your strings were level. So, I get home, put my new strings on and the intonation was out with the new strings so I looked at the profile of the guitar and noticed that my A string was a little high and my E string was setting well below the others. I raised and lowered the A string and... most of the intonation problem went away (it still a little out).
So, here is hoping that is what was wrong *crosses fingers*
Funny, I'd never heard of
Funny, I'd never heard of that. Generally, you adjust the height where you like it to be and compensate for that by the adjusting the position of the saddle (i.e. with the screw at the back of the bridge). Raising the saddle shortens the string (ever so slightly), so you'd lengthen it a bit by tightening the screw. Or at least, I think that's how it works.
I'll tell you this, though, high notes on the E string are tricky to intonate, due, I suppose, to the mass of the string. If you can play the same run on a higher string (and, for anything above the 5th fret of E, that's the case), you'll probably avoid intonation issues.
I really like the sound of the E string up until about the 7th or 9th fret. Above that, I only use it if there's no other way to play the run (say, for a chord or a quick run where I don't have time to get further down the neck for a lower note and need to go across instead).
Whatever the reason, I'm glad it worked for you!
Wheat
bassplaying.com