Overview
In parts 1 and 2 of this series, we learned how to adjust the truss rod and string height of your guitar to maximize the comfort and playability of your guitar. In the third and final part of this series, we will set your guitar’s intonation so that it is playing in tune across the fretboard.
The opening section of this article will explain what intonation is, why it is important, and when you would need to adjust intonation. In the second section, we will walk you through what steps actually need to be taken to properly intonate your guitar. Hearts of iron 4 cheats.
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Guitar Intonation Explained
If your guitar or bass is not playing in tune, especially as you play up the neck, it might be time to adjust your intonation. A good way to check that is to play an open string and then play the same string at the 12th fret. If the note at the 12th fret is out of tune (more than a few cents off) from the open note, you probably need to adjust your intonation. When intonation is set, the string length is adjusted by moving the saddle closer or farther from the bridge. A properly intonated guitar will improve the pitch accuracy over the entire fretboard.
Changing String Gauge Can Affect Intonation
Your guitar’s intonation will likely need to be fine-tuned whenever you replace your strings. If you change string gauges, the intonation will almost certainly need to be reset because the core of your new strings will have a different diameter. Intonation can help compensate for differences in string core sizes.
For an accurate reading, hold the guitar in the playing position when checking pitch.Â
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Epiphone Les Paul Setup Specs
ÂHow to Intonate Your Electric Guitar
Now that you know what adjusting intonation accomplishes and when action needs to be taken, it’s time to actually adjust it. To do this, you need to compare the pitches of an open string and that same string’s twelfth fret. Depending on whether it is sharp or flat, you will move the saddle forward or backward to fine-tune the string length. After you’ve done this for all six strings, your guitar will be fully intonated and ready to play! Follow the steps below to intonate your guitar.
Step 1: Compare Pitches
Play the lowest open string, or, for a more accurate reading, play the 12th fret harmonic. Now, depress the string at the 12th fret and compare the two pitches. Fronte del palco 90 download.
Remember, play with a soft-to-medium attack for the most precise reading. If both notes are perfectly in tune on all strings, then you lucked out and are done! The more likely case is that the two notes are slightly sharp or flat. To correct this, you’ll need to adjust the saddle.
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Step 2: Adjust the String Length
Now that you’ve compared pitches, the next step is to make the changes to get the string perfectly in tune. This is accomplished by using a flathead screwdriver to adjust the string length.
If the fretted note is flat, adjust the saddle (towards the neck). If the fretted note is sharp, adjust the saddle back (towards the bridge). A good trick to remember which way to adjust can be memorized by this phrase:
   “flat/forward,  sharp/back”   Â
When you’re doing this, make small, 1/4 turn adjustments, until you have a good idea of how much the saddle must move to affect the tuner. If the intonation is too far out, it may take several full rotations before you reach the precise saddle location.
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Don’t strip the screw heads!
Be careful when adjusting the intonation screws as the heads can easily be stripped. If you’re having a hard time moving the saddle, you may want to loosen the string tension.
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Step 3: Repeat Process for Every String
You’ll now want to re-tune the guitar to pitch and check your adjustments against the tuner. If the pitch at the 12th fret doesn’t match the open string, you’ll want to repeat the process above. This will need to be done for everything string. While this process can be hair-pullingly tedious, the results make it all worth it! Your guitar will play exactly how you want it and you can fall in love with your guitar’s sound once again.
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That’s a wrap!
Now that the art of electric guitar setup has been demystified, get out there and start setting up your friends and bandmates guitars. Practice makes perfect! Who knows, maybe you have a future as a touring Guitar Tech.
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Helpful Links:
Guitar Setup Part 1: Adjusting the Truss Rod
Epiphone Les Paul Setup Specs
Guitar Setup Part 2: Setting Action
Guitar Setup: What is the correct string height for my guitar?
Guitar Setup: How much string buzz is normal?
Guitar Setup: How to tune your guitar
Measure your Guitar’s Action
Gibson Les Paul Setup Specs
1.Tune the guitar to pitch and ensure that your neck relief has been properly adjusted.
Some Luthiers will install a capo at the first fret in order to prevent the nut height from being a factor in their measurements. If you opt to do this, be sure that you repeat this on your next setup as well. The capo will give you a lower measurement when installed so you’ll want to be sure you have it in place at every setup once you’ve figured out your desired action.
2.Place the ruler on the 12th fret, making sure the ruler ticks are parallel to the string.
Do this so that you’re getting an accurate measurement of the gap from the top of the fret to the bottom of the low E- string.
3. Raise, lower, or leave the action.
Now you’ll need to make the decision to raise, lower or leave the action alone. Everyone’s setup preferences are a little different. For example, Jeff Beck prefers low action (3/64ths) whereas Stevie Ray Vaughn prefers a higher action (7/64ths) to accommodate his more aggressive technique. You may want to experiment and determine what’s best for your playing style.
Need more explanation? Read our article about how to measure the action of your electric guitar.