Author Topic: Bass out of tune? (Read 286 times)

Martbass · « **on:** March 08, 2009, 08:43:12 AM »

Hey guys & gals, I've got this little issue I hope you can give me some advice on! My (spoiler)bass seems to be out of tune. When the open A string is perfectly in tune, the D (5th pos.) is slightly high...Is this an adjustment thing or could it be my strings are to old? They're not new, but I've had them a lot older & perfectly in tune. I will have my bass checked out when I can find the time to drop it off Edwin's place...but I would like to know NOW!!!

Keep it low and groovin'!!

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2009, 08:56:39 AM »

(Message edited by Mario Farufyno on March 08, 2009)

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2009, 08:57:12 AM »

You should check Intonation. There must have some old thread about this here, somewhere.

Using new strings, check 5th position tunning. As it is raised, you must move its saddle towards the neck. Tune the open strings, check again and move the saddles until the 5th position looks right.

Then, you must check further... Do all this on frets above 12th position until reach 24th fret.

The tip is:

- If the Note seems raised, move saddle towards the Neck.
- If the Note seems sharpened, move the saddle towards the Bridge.

Use your ears and remind that Harmonics can be very helpfull when adjusting Intonation (since you keep all strings perfectly in tune again all time you've changed something).

JimmyJ · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2009, 11:40:42 AM »

Mario, I think you are on the right track except that raised and sharpened mean the same thing to me...
Try this version: If the open string is in tune but the fretted note is sharp (pitch is higher than it should be) then the string from that fret to the bridge is essentially too short - so you would want to make the string longer by moving the bridge saddle towards the tailpiece.

The need for a saddle adjustment should get more noticeable as you move further up the neck. So Martijn, if your 5th fret seems sharp but your 12th fret seems about right than it is more likely a false string and it's time for a new set. Strings will do that sometimes!

The height of the action and the nut can also have an effect on the fretted pitch. If either are too high and you have to move the string too far to fret it, then you are pulling the string tighter as you do so and making the pitch go up...

Good luck,
Jimmy J

Martbass · « **Reply #4 on:** March 08, 2009, 12:11:02 PM »

Thanks guys, if I understand you correctly, it must be the string. Because it seems the only sharp note is the D note (5th) on the A string...
The 12th is perfect. And on the D string, the G (5th) is a beautiful G. It must be the string, right? Thanks for the advice!

JimmyJ · « **Reply #5 on:** March 08, 2009, 01:58:12 PM »

Yep, sounds like that string has had enough. Time for a new set!
Jimmy J

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2009, 06:38:24 PM »

My fault, sorry. As you know, I'm brazilian and it is difficult to me express my self in english. You're right...

Can someone teach me, please?

If a note is raised, it is Sharp.
If the bote is lowered, it is...?

pacificshine · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2009, 06:51:44 PM »

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2009, 06:13:53 AM »

Shure, I should have remembered!

Yeah, like in Sax... Thanks, Alan.

(Message edited by Mario Farufyno on March 10, 2009)

David Houck · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2009, 09:33:17 PM »

To add to what the others have said, see this prior thread on setting intonation. Scroll down past where that davehouck guy talks about the 5th and 24th frets, to where Son of magni states the way I check the intonation without a strobe tuner is to just compare the harmonic at the 12th fret to the fretted note at the 12th fret and adjust the saddle accordingly. Then read Bob's excellent summary in the next post.