How to fix intonation ?

[D. Shelton]

You know...in five minutes or less, with only a hacksaw , screwdriver, and superglue . TIA

Looking for a tutorial, I suppose. I'd rather not get into routing out the bridge , but if that's what it takes, I'll figger it out, but not by myself.

oh, it's a Norman B-20.

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by D. Shelton

You know...in five minutes or less, with only a hacksaw , screwdriver, and superglue . TIA

Looking for a tutorial, I suppose. I'd rather not get into routing out the bridge , but if that's what it takes, I'll figger it out, but not by myself.

oh, it's a Norman B-20.

It might help if you'd define the problem

What's not intonating properly?

Oh, and BTW, you'll probably need a coat hanger as well.

[D. Shelton]

Originally Posted by eatswodo

It might help if you'd define the problem

What's not intonating properly?

Oh, and BTW, you'll probably need a coat hanger as well.

Errr… when it's in tune high on the neck, it's out of tune low on the neck, basically. I had two guitars done with the BFTS and I liked them (Taylor and Lowden)

[BT55]

I usually use a sledgehammer for intonation adjustments but in your case it sounds like you need a bridge saddle setup for intonation. If you remember your Taylor had a “wave” style bridge saddle to correctly intonate the guitar. That may be the answer to your issue.

[D. Shelton]

Originally Posted by BT55

I usually use a sledgehammer for intonation adjustments but in your case it sounds like you need a bridge saddle setup for intonation. If you remember your Taylor had a “wave” style bridge saddle to correctly intonate the guitar. That may be the answer to your issue.

Memories of the Taylor are lost in time, but I do remember the Lowden's split saddle setup, and the Feitenizer tweaked on that.

[mirwa]

Subject to the nut / saddle and fret slots having been cut and located correctly.

A good nut and saddle with relatively straight neck is a good starting place for Intonation improvements.

Further Improvements can then be gained with a compensated nut if required

Steve

[D. Shelton]

Originally Posted by mirwa

Subject to the nut / saddle and fret slots having been cut and located correctly.

A good nut and saddle with relatively straight neck is a good starting place for Intonation improvements.

Further Improvements can then be gained with a compensated nut if required

Steve

compensated nut, that's a start...

[DCCougar]

From what I've read, a properly cut saddle will set the intonation correctly. Like this site says:

"If notes played at the 12th fret are dramatically sharp or flat [compared to the open string pitch, or better yet, the harmonic at the 12th fret], changes to the strings length and position of the saddle (or shape of it's crown) may be necessary."

On an acoustic, you don't typically reposition the saddle like you can on an electric, but you can change the shape of the saddle's crown. You can make the string go over the crown at the back edge of the saddle or the front edge, thus effectively changing the length of the open string by a bit, which is usually enough to change the intonation of that string. Each string is different and has to be checked individually, and the saddle cut accordingly.

[bausin]

>> From what I've read, a properly cut saddle will set the intonation correctly.

What do you mean by "set the intonation correctly"?

The intonation will never be perfect, so it's a matter of how good you want it.
Adjustments to the saddle will only get you so far. Compensating the nut can further improve the intonation.

[D. Shelton]

Originally Posted by bausin

>> From what I've read, a properly cut saddle will set the intonation correctly.

What do you mean by "set the intonation correctly"?

The intonation will never be perfect, so it's a matter of how good you want it.
Adjustments to the saddle will only get you so far. Compensating the nut can further improve the intonation.

and might someone know where to find guidelines for doing that (besides coming here and asking the general question)?

[runamuck]

Originally Posted by D. Shelton

and might someone know where to find guidelines for doing that (besides coming here and asking the general question)?

http://charlestauber.com/luthier/Res...May%202015.pdf

[murrmac123]

Originally Posted by bausin

Adjustments to the saddle will only get you so far. Compensating the nut can further improve the intonation.

Originally Posted by D. Shelton

and might someone know where to find guidelines for doing that (besides coming here and asking the general question)?

Originally Posted by runamuck

http://charlestauber.com/luthier/Res...May%202015.pdf

Ain't nothing about nut compensation in Charles' otherwise excellent treatise AFAICS.

[bausin]

There was a long thread over at frets.net a couple years ago.

http://fretsnet.ning.com/forum/topics/nut-compensation

[D. Shelton]

Thanks for the links !

[John Arnold]

when it's in tune high on the neck, it's out of tune low on the neck, basically.

'Out of tune' does not specify sharp or flat. It makes a huge difference. It's like giving directions, but not specifying which way you should turn at the traffic light.