| Author | Message | ||
| force
New Username: force Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2015 |
I've been trying to check the intonation on my Alembic Exploiter, and all the notes are flat, so I adjust the saddles but nothing seems to happen, the notes remain flat. Is it just a matter of adjusting the saddles with an allen key up and down? Am I doing this right? How do I do this? | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4767 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Force, welcome to the forum, here is a post with some links to intonation and setting up you instrument. It might offer some solutions for you. http://alembic.com/club/messages/16271/98640.html?1299435855 Also checking the following should give you more insight into how your bass hangs together. http://alembic.com/club/messages/16271/16271.html?1446519358 | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 2493 Registered: 9-2002 |
How are you trying to do this? Two things NOT to do: -DON'T do this with old strings, new ones only. And be sure you have correctly installed the strings on the machine-head pegs. I've rarely seen a complaint of 'This ^$^@^#&@ guitar won't stay in tune / tune up' where the strings on the pegs didn't look like a bowl of spaghetti. 'I NEVER cut them', those idiot loops of string, or those sharp ends sticking up in the air . . . . come back when you grow up, please ! -DON'T do this with the axe laying on its' back, do this sitting down with the bass across your lap in playing position. The saddles should move back and forth along the string length, I would not expect to have to raise or lower the bridge in total to synch your string length to the scale, i.e., 'intonate' your bass. If you look closely, each saddle in the bridge is resting on a threaded rod which terminates in an allen-screw cap at one end. Insert the right-size Allen wrench and turn (you may have to de-tune a bit to lessen the downforce/tension on that screw, then re-tune to check the new position) and the saddle will traverse left or right depending on which way you turn the wrench. If you're using anywhere near normal gauges, at some point your fretted 12th fret note and the 12th fret harmonic will match exactly, and you're done. Repeat until all the strings are done. On an older axe, a drop of good lubricant on the threads (not WD40 ! !) is not a bad idea. Raising or lowering the bridge is a crude way to sharp or flat your tuning overall by a few cents, the idea behind those fine-tuning tailpieces Gibson used on their solid bodies, but not a way to intonate your bass, generally. Joey | ||
| gtrguy
Senior Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 949 Registered: 9-2004 |
Use Strobe Tuner and adj saddles back and forth till the open note and a carefully fretted note on the 12th fret match. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 2446 Registered: 11-2004 |
One bass player I preferably not to know once said cutting strings affects tone, when I told him it doesn't because of the two anchor points(nut and bridge) and the physics of oscillating strings all I got was a sarcastic remark!. Some you can educate and some you cannot! On another note there is a lot of players who are totally frightened to set up there own instruments and are willing to pay lots of money for other people to do so, okay, it keeps those guys in business but what happens if it needs adjustment on a Saturday night at 6pm when you are just about to set off for the gig? | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 1116 Registered: 9-2008 |
Hope this links may be helpfull, too http://www.jerzydrozdbasses.com/akcndfr54jdhrei567/Ultimate_Guide_ver100.pdf http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/setupmanual.html Just donīt give much attention on measurements tips, trust your ears and fingers mostly. Feel how it, uh... feels when played. To not force the screws, I loose the strings before any change, tune them again and check as many times it need before getting it right (except neck bow because trussrod works against string tension). You have to be carefull and patient. (Message edited by mario farufyno on November 27, 2015) | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 1117 Registered: 9-2008 |
When a note sounds flat is because the string is longer than it should when held against the frets and you just have to shorten it. So, it has nothing to do with height of a saddle, donīt raise or lower the bridge. If you want to sharpen its notes you have to move the saddle towards the scale. Terry is right, everyone should know how to do it, but also is a good idea to start with a Bass already properly setup, simply because one setting can affect some other adjustment and - if you donīt have a clue about what screw do what - someone can get lost easily. I donīt want to sound rude. If you are determined to do it, read all those recommendations first (specially Jazzy links). |
