Intonation Problems

[johnnyb]

I recently sold my favorite SG Jr in order to buy him (my son) a new accoustic so I inherited his SG Special untill I buy a new one. The problem is that when playing the 3rd string, everything is badly out of tune. I checked the intonation by playing the open note then the same note on the 12th fret and after some adjustments had everything ok except the 3rd string still. We bought the guitar at christmas and I had never really played it untill recently and it is horrible. Any ideals of what it might be?

[layboomo]

When you tune the G string do you hear a ping ping sound as you turn the peg? If you do the string is binding in the nut and that could be your problem. Sometimes on the TOM style bridges there is not enough travel to intonnate the G string and turning the saddle around 180 degrees will give you a little more travel as well.

[johnnyb]

I hadn't noticed the pinging but will check. I had already flipped the saddle just to get close to intonation on the 12th fret but it is still a little sharp. I tuned the open a little flat and it helped a little on the other frets. Would different strings help? We had these put on at G.C. a couple months ago and I really don't know what they put on. I think the were dunlop Zakk Wylde 10's.

[Dave]

The 3rd string is the one that turning the saddle around usually fixes, in terms of intonation. You will probably have to go all the way toward the tailpiace to get it right. I use a Seiko tuner that reads in cents and has an LCD "needle" to adjust intonation. It's not expensive, about $35, but I find that it is more accurate when adjusting the saddles because it actually reads the number of cents that you are off as well as displaying the needle on screen. If it reads +2 open, you can adjust the 12th to +2 and get it right without constant tuning, then you can tune up and recheck.

[BluezOldy]

The 3rd string is the one that turning the saddle around usually fixes' date=' in terms of intonation. [/quote']

 

That's interesting because it's on the third string of my Ultra that I can't get the intonation right.

 

 

... I use a Seiko tuner that reads in cents and has an LCD "needle" to adjust intonation...

 

Dave, what's the model number for the Seiko please?

[Dave]

 

Dave' date=' what's the model number for the Seiko please?[/quote']

 

Seiko SAT500 chromatic tuner. This is a really good tuner for home use and for setting intonation. I paid $34 for it from a local music store. Amazon has it for $21.87. Highly recommended.

 

click here to see the SAT500 SEIKO

[Dave]

It would be nice to be able to delete your own posts. I hit quote instead of edit and couldn't get rid of this one...

[layboomo]

Yeah sure Dave you just like seeing that Gold Top avatar!

[BluezOldy]

 

Seiko SAT500 chromatic tuner. This is a really good tuner for home use and for setting intonation. I paid $34 for it from a local music store. Amazon has it for $21.87. Highly recommended.

 

click here to see the SAT500 SEIKO

 

Thanks, Dave.

[snookelputz]

Try a set of strings with a wound 3rd string, or buy a single wound .018" string and try it. Many discussions of this particular problem on almost every guitar forum in existence.

[shartom]

When you play an E chord, is it in tune? How about a D chord? My hunch it will be out of tune on the D. I would try a new set of strings, 10-46. When the guitar is at pitch, hold each string one at a time at the first frett and pull up on the string to stretch it. It will be flat. I do this a couple of times. Find a mechanical pencil. Push the lead out a bit and rub it gently in the nut groove. This will lubricate the slot. I have a Gibson LP Studio and I have to do all of the above when I change strings.

Is the intonation off only on the 3rd string? My 65 Telecaster has a three piece bridge assembly. Intonation is a compromise. Even if it is and always is off a bit, it still plays in tune.

If all else fails, take it to a guitar tech.