How To Intonate Your Guitar (Adjust Intonation On Electric Guitar)

This is the correct way to adjust the intonation of your electric guitar, so your notes sound in tune!
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In this episode of "Gibson's Guide to Guitar Setup and Maintenance," Gibson Master Luthier Jim DeCola demonstrates the correct way to adjust the intonation of your electric guitar. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, Jim will give you pro tips on intonation adjustment and how to set it properly that will make the process easy and efficient.
The intonation on your guitar has a dramatic impact on how "in-tune" it will sound at various positions on the neck. If the intonation is not properly adjusted, your guitar will sound out of tune as you move between different chords and positions. While totally perfect intonation isn't achievable, Jim's expert tips will help you maximize the accuracy of your guitar's intonation, resulting in an instrument that sounds sweeter and more in-tune across all playing positions.
Learn about how we test guitar intonation with Jim at the Gibson USA factory using this Gibson Explorer as an example, discover what guitar intonation is, how to test and adjust intonation on your electric guitar, and the benefits of properly adjusted intonation. Finally, hear Jim DeCola's expert tips on what to look out for when adjusting or determining whether your guitar’s intonation is out.
#gibson #gibsontv #guitarmaintenance    
Chapters:
0:00 What is guitar intonation
1:34 How to test and adjust intonation on your electric guitar
6:52 Benefits of properly adjusted intonation
7:40 Jim DeCola’s tips on guitar intonation
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[@yeetfeet1878]

Why am I here I’m a drummer? Because Gibson puts out cool content!

[@gibsonguitar]

Thanks for watching

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

I don't think he mentioned it, but make sure you're holding the guitar in playing position like he does. If you lay it on a bench or table or bed or anything you'll get false readings too because of the weight of the guitar pulling on itself. Make sure you're holding it in playing position.

[@joeschlicht]

Excellent. Thanks for the tip.

[@user-dy5ho4sj2w]

Hell yeah, I was wondering about this. Thank you..!!!!

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

@@user-dy5ho4sj2w Glad to help. Another thing, if you play hard and fret with some "gusto" then err on the side of flat rather than sharp. You'll pull it sharp slightly by fretting.

[@jimmyjaylinssen3902]

The tip with the direction of the tuner is amazing

[@davidkbrown]

I’ve heard of it referred to as “chasing the needle.”

[@afarrar3]

right? id never heard that before, gonna tuck that little nugget away, lol

[@SirVicc]

The Explorer is pretty much the only pointy guitar I like.

[@bludredrobin4900]

Same.

[@duck_5150]

Same.

[@robertpurdy4452]

Same

[@j.westerberg7284]

Chk out the new Dave Mustaine signature model by gibson. Fantastic.

[@DannyGz99]

@Jay Swannell im not a fan of that bottom.

[@The_Texan_Tyler]

Don't you already know how it intonate your guitar? "Yes" Then why are you watching the video? "He has an explorer"

[@The_Wood]

This guy is like the Jedi Master of electric guitar. I would love for him to set-up my Explorer. 🎸

[@michaelamonnuesser2116]

and now i want this guitar 🙂

[@yaboyreege7158]

Very beautiful explorer. I love the natural finish on those guitars

[@yaboyreege7158]

@@ClearSkies-qw8bv keep playing bud. It takes quite awhile to become good at guitar but it’s possible if you put the time in

[@blindsidedka]

@Lord Business what a useless comment

[@guitarcohen2224]

get it

[@yaboyreege7158]

@@blindsidedka that loser @Lord Business made another thread and was actually asking Gibson to give him a guitar for free. This guy or girl is obviously not the brightest bulb in the box

[@timmacious]

Thank you for the tip about moving the saddle in the same direction as the note on the tuner!

[@rexnavarro2918]

Jim DeCola Gibson Master of Rock n Rolla! Thanx for these videos on guitar set up and maintenance. Such a great reference guide. I remember when I was kid before the Internet age having to go the Public library to check out the book "The Guitar Book: A Handbook for Electric & Acoustic Guitarists by Tom Wheeler" and reading the step by step process of guitar set up and then looking at the small black n white pictures detailing step a. step. b step c. and trying to figure out..am I doing this right? Man, we have come a long way on how we get information. By the way I would frequent that Public Library all the time as a kid and one day a their book sale (how the Library clears out all their old stock books to purchase new ones) there it was again Tom Wheeler's "The Guitar Book: A Handbook for Electric & Acoustic Guitarist. I purchased it and still have it to this day an original hardcover 1974 print. A cherished book among my collection of guitar books. Keep up the good work Gibson.

[@mrsunshine2204]

This series of videos is great 👍 excellent how he explains the setup easily and accurately. Keep this up! 🎸

[@jamessator5564]

Thank you Jim !! You really help me understand my guitar, so that I’m not afraid to work on it !

[@mikedills132]

I love these guitar setup videos! Please keep them coming.

[@UnpleasantDog]

Beautiful guitar!

[@FrehleyBurst9-1878]

Another great video by Jim DeCola! I have learned more about guitars and how to adjust/set up/fix by watching this Master Luthier than any other source on the net, Keep up the great work Jim! Awesome Explorer BTW!

[@joeyskar]

Put on new strings, stretch them, tune it, press 12th fret, if it's sharp saddle moves back, flat forward. Press the string at the bridge and nut a little to get rid of the string curve, retune, recheck, press the bridge again if needed. If you use the same gauge it should be the same everytime so long as no other adjustments are made and the neck stays straight. Always check your neck and adjust truss rod if needed prior to adjusting saddles and always make sure your pickups are the right height or they will pull the string causing it to not play the note in pitch.

[@wrcz]

"Press the string at the bridge and nut a little" sorry but I'm on no fap...

[@RBFR01]

so if the note is sharp the pickups go down or up?

[@joeyskar]

@@RBFR01 If you feel magnetic pull is causing the note to go out of tune back it away from the string. Start by setting all of your guitar pickups to 3/32” (0.093”, 2.38mm) on the bass side and 2/32” (1/16”, 0.0625”, 1.98mm) on the treble side. Remember, this is the space between the top of the pole piece and the bottom of the string while it's being held down at the last fret.

[@joeyskar]

@@RBFR01 If the note is coming in sharp while holding down the 12th fret you move the saddle on the bridge forward.

[@user-my2nj3jz4p]

I always enjoy this program and learn something new to me.

[@jeanjoyet6537]

Very clear explaination thank you !

[@johngregory7329]

Hi Jim, I really enjoy watching you video classes. Your knowledge of guitars is so excellent. I learn something new every time that I watch one of your video classes. Stay safe and well & keep Rockin. Signed John Zepbass. From Munster, Indiana.

[@cadurocha2017]

Thanks for sharing! 🙌🏼

[@patrickhoy1347]

These are great videos. Very well done. Jim is an excellent presenter. Thank you for these.

[@zakkcovers18]

Great tip 👍

[@donsassano1278]

Love these how to vidios very informative keep up the good job gibson.

[@noelsalvador8232]

Thanks for the tips. Sharp to the right (lengthen) Flat to the left (shorten)

[@michaelpal7641]

if sharp-are you turning the screw Clockwise? If Flat, are you turning the screw counter clockwise????

[@badongsalvador751]

@@michaelpal7641yes

[@ggreen5143]

Great video! I’m just getting into the world of guitar repairs and setups and These videos have been easily helpful

[@nicolasgimenez7607]

Excellent video!! Very clear explanation!

[@marcreno893]

Your a wonderful teacher. Just learned so much. Thanks

[@predragzivanovic8598]

Thanks, very nicely described.

[@rayf7821]

cool! learn something new every day now i don't have to pay someone to do it. great channel for new guitar players they'll save $$$$ from set up costs.there are other set up videos from this channel.

[@robinfawcett7973]

I really like Jim's series of videos... Thanks man

[@alexanderkushnarev2247]

I love this series. Any chance you'll put a video on how to level guitar frets?

[@jaredk.harris5385]

I appreciate these video!! Keep them coming Gibson!

[@RandyKekipi]

Thanks for that information....always love to play Gibson guitars...

[@TheSoulsandRevive]

Great video! Very informative, cheers

[@Horon7777]

Thank you so much, brother. An integral skill.

[@graemero5532]

Cheers Jim & Gibson

[@marcdaslama]

Worked great for my Epi SG! Thanks a lot.

[@alienated1183]

Thanks for this very informative video. I've owned all kinds of guitars, and my Gibsons are my favorites 😍.

[@sebastienradenne8243]

Amazing series!

[@altheamayberry6142]

Thank you for the tutorial. It was very informative. But what do you do if the saddles are bottomed out and can no longer be elongated or shortened? Can the saddles be repositioned to center, and then the tuning process started over? If so, what would be the best way to do this? I have a Hondo II, with a Les Paul style bridge, and 3 keys on top and 3 on bottom of the headstock. I recently replaced the keys with new ones. The strings are fairly new, and have no rust on them. I would greatly appreciate and further help with my issue. I would take it to a guitar shop, but I live in a rural area of Texas, and guitar shops are far and wide.

[@vannigio6234]

This series of videos is great 👍

[@hdconley]

Cool vid. Thanks

[@lefty1949]

Thanks much for mentioning the difference (opposite turn) for us Lefty's!

[@daveduffy2823]

Very useful.

[@bryancarter8117]

Thanks for the Videos Jim, I've Learned Alot From You Sir On Setting My Gibson Les Paul Up Correctly. Last But Not Least Thank You Gibson USA For Making The Best Guitar's On The Planet In My Opinion! 🎸👍

[@johnvalderrama9339]

ima try it on my gibson les paul 50s triubte.... jim did a 6 sting guitar in 8:32 secs lol wish me luck

[@seanriley9045]

Great video guys!

[@smiley4288]

Excellent tutorial 👍🤘😎🤘👍

[@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward]

😇😇😉😇😇

[@CyclopsGuitars8642]

That video really helped me out

[@TK0808]

How do you get a Gibson Les Paul to stay in tune? I would like an episode on that. My guitar tech can't do it on a brand new guitar.

[@hkguitar1984]

Great information here. I've been working on and setting intonation my instruments since the early 1980s. What needs to be stressed before attempting this procedure is that a .01% Accuracy/Resolution Strobe Type Tuner should be used for measuring and setting each note/adjustment. This procedure can of course be accomplished with tuners of lesser accuracy, however the guitar design is already a compromise concerning intonation.

[@mojo9291]

I was wondering why he is using three industrial tuners at once.

[@hkguitar1984]

@@mojo9291 Good question!

[@nocturnalferalguitarist]

Guitars are perfectly imperfect. I have an old LP that's neck bows forward slightly more on the low E side , truss rod almost maxed. It has the best intonation especially with heavy handed playing.

[@twenty3electronics]

That’s called a twisted neck

[@crisjohnalvarez6036]

Well said.

[@tinpenny4474]

Gibson owns Boogie, you should have a Mark V 35 combo instead of that Marshall. Boogie and Gibson are amazing together. I love my Les Paul and my Mark V 90 watt head. Best tone I've ever had. BTW using old Peavy 5150 cabs! All American rig.

[@AB-80X]

Hey Jim, are you the guy in charge of the wonderful "quality control" Gibson uses on their current line of guitars? When will Gibson go back to make quality guitars? Would love to buy a new Standard, but I'm way too afraid of getting a bad one as the bad Gibson Les Paul has become the norm, not the exception.

[@bradwiebelhaus7065]

Thanks

[@larryburwell8550]

hi jim you always do a great job explaining these adjustments. im a les paul player since 1976. love your factory tours. you know your stuff. explorers play great. thanks buddy for helping others. tell gibson to shit can the frillly stuff we want the old gibsons nothing more nothing less. how do i get that teeshirt?

[@the_fleeing_dutchman]

Also, an easy way to remember which way to adjust the sadle is: Flat = Forward.

[@JJT007hero]

Great!

[@dominiccampbell7227]

can you guys do a video like this but for a guitar like a flying v or a guitar with a string through body? good video!

[@jmtn67]

Great point at the end reference pickup magnets being to close Never thought or ever heard of that Would that effect of magnets being to close be exaggerated with Basses? due increased string mass and bigger magnets I ❤️my Les Paul Bass what a freaking beast of tool And the pickups are raised so the covers are as close as piss without buzzin the strings With colbolt strings too How if the magnets are effecting the intonation , can one tell ?

[@lluisarmengol6726]

I want that t-shirt!

[@bbbro34]

I love these videos. I've been really apprehensive on bringing my guitar in to a shop for a set up during these Covid-times. One, because it's a great time to be home and playing/recording, and two, because I worry about when I'll get it back if I bring it in. I play a LP Custom and a P-90 Jr, and would be lost without them.

[@johnston.scott64]

If you do not get your guitars beck, they died of C-19. Check the morgues .🙄🙄

[@adamdevin8877]

I want one o them guitars its so vintage and futuristic looking

[@jeromejackson2455]

That is a nice guitar I wish I one like it

[@kenthhamner2641]

I prefer open and fretted! Harmonics aren't as accurate as some people think. It was also easy to hear the fretted 12th was sharp while it wasn't so obvious with the harmonic. Using fretted notes allows you to compensate for the string deflection which changes the strings length ( D Erlewine Guitar Player repair guide). I also use a strobe tuner.

[@hkguitar1984]

Agreed. Proper intonation adjustment can go so far as checking it while it's in the playing position and not flat on the bench. Also, I've never gotten bad advice from D Erlewine.

[@canadiancombatwombatthe3rd782]

The harmonic is great for roughing it in, but in the end use your own personal touch.

[@vinnier6]

@@canadiancombatwombatthe3rd782the harmonic is always going to the same as the open note…it’s not matching the fretted note

[@aleksao.7340]

Hello, great video. I have a Les Paul R8 and it sounds great, but I am running out of space for intonating on G string. Can you please advise how to fix that?

[@peaveywolfgang]

Thank you.....for the peavey wolfgang ;)

[@Fabian-ix7gm]

Great video but when turning the screw right or left does that match the way the saddles go also?

[@andysecorod9952]

Do you have any recommendations on the stop bar HT . Like No one seems to know what factory specs are, or the myth behind top wrapping the strings. Can you please Provide us with some information on how you can help Setup the stop bar.

[@juanjosegiraldo1974]

What tuner is that? Awesome content!

[@gitarendirk1]

With my Les Paul I encounter the following problem: on the G-string only, the frettet note is so much sharp that I cannot 'stretch' the string enough, the intonation screw is already at it's farthest. Is there anything I can do to make it work?

[@joeschlicht]

This is exactly what I needed to see. I have a 56 VOS Les Paul, and is it normal that the intonation adjustment screws are totally backwards compare to this V? Sort of makes it harder to adjust with the strings in the way. I was tracking guitar and I find in a recording you really her when your guitar is not right. In my case a d minor barre chord at the 5th fret was so out of tune sounding. Hence my search for how to intonate. I had the guitar set up years ago and I assume that the intonation was correct, but I guess not.

[@MrBritrider]

Has Gibson ever done a how to intonate the single wrap around bridge on a Special or Jr? You should.

[@toddknaster9731]

Hi Jim, can you tell me if there is a spec for the distance of each saddle from the nut as a starting point. For example, should the high E string saddle be set to the scale length and then the B string saddle set forward the thickness of the high E string then the G string set forward the thickness of the B string etc. Thanks

[@jeffallison1736]

So 😍 beautiful ❤️

[@SirRoger_007]

I just bought two new Gibson guitars, and I was wondering if going from 10-46 strings to a lighter 9-42 will throw off the intonation much? BTW, I'm not new to Gibson. I've played them since I was a teen in the mid to late 80's. Sonex 180 and Melody Maker (SG body type) Thanks!

[@dhirenjazz8100]

Great information, I'm getting problem in 6th string in my guitar , tuner not showing only this string note E , tuner being fluctuated. Why ????? Is there problem in saddle , I changed string

[@georgerobinson805]

Using your technique as a guide, would locking tuners help or hinder the process of getting it right? Also, how many tuners do you have? Looks to be around 15!!🤣😅 Great video, thanks!

[@Rogijimbex]

I have several Gibsons and a burning question. Why on some are the saddle adjustment screws facing toward the stop bar as in your demo...and others are facing the pickups? I'm talking stock guitars that came in those two configurations - both Les Pauls. More importantly - which is the correct way for the screws to face? The saddle slant is affected as well. Please advise. Thanks for the information and demo.

[@hiseminencetheholymacdiarmada]

I have always wondered the same thing. I’ve seen them facing both ways. I bought both of my SGs new, my first one is a 1991 and it has the screws facing the pickups, my other SG is a 2013 and it’s screws are facing the stop bar. Knowing how the bridge works, it’s easy to see that it really doesn’t matter, but I think you’re like me and we want to know if there is a “ factory recommended “ way it should go. In the video about changing strings, it’s facing the other way!

[@stephaneaudet]

Hello Jim , i would like to know with which brand of strings you work for Gibson?

[@Joey.Darkwoods-Studio]

Jim, Gibson folks, there ain't no way I can even turn my screws on my R9 aged hardware with the strings on... I literally have to pull out the saddle adjust and reinsert... and it caused my saddle screws to bend. Actually sent you an email regarding this... a real pain!

[@Fredwitrave]

Can you make a video on how the repair a broken headstock?

[@JJT007hero]

Love this thnx so much. But my issue. When i check the harmonic at the 12th it almost always looks on but when I fret at 12th it’s almost always flat. I try many times to check if I’m bending and it’s still showing very flat when I fret lower strings ???? Should I just trust the harmonic ?😢

[@GrzegorzWitkowski]

I'm surprised that you turn the screws with full sting tension. I've seen snapped screws, because the saddle could not move under the string tension.

[@antoniostelo4733]

What about the Stopbar height with Nashville Bridge?

[@DaveKaplowitz]

I have a new Epiphone 50s Les Paul Standard which I love. When I try to intonate it, I can't get the G string in tune because I run out of adjustment on the saddle. I have read about this problem on Les Pauls and they say that the fix is to reverse the saddle to give a little more adjustment. Is this what you suggest? Can you make a video on the topic and walk us through the solutions? Thanks!

[@cosmicdog62]

Had the same issue on a Gibson 2017 Les Paul Standard. I had to turn the saddles around on the low e and g strings to get it to properly intonate. It does work but I wonder with the way the saddles were notched if it is going cause more string breakage on those two strings. It does seem to be a known issue and I don’t know why they don’t address it. You would think on a $2000+ guitar it would be perfect. Don’t get me wrong I love my LP just wonder why they still have this problem.

[@irf888]

Hi Dave, it’s fine to turn the saddle around to get more room. Common problem on some guitars using this design bridge is with the D string too, opposite though where you want to shorten the D. If the G can’t get long enough, also check your neck relief, if you straighten the neck a touch it will make every string slightly longer. If you do this obviously you’ll need to reset each strings intonation. With either or both methods you should get it right. I’ve also found with lowest possible action helps get the closest intonation along with accuracy of notes above the 12th fret. Regards.

[@DaveKaplowitz]

@@irf888 Hey thanks! I was wondering if there is another way besides flipping the saddle. I'll give those a shot.

[@Hawkspring]

Super helpful, since Gibson custom shop won’t actually set up the guitar they sell you.

[@KP-vr6ft]

I only clicked cause I saw an Explorer. Gibson needs to do more Explorers in my opinion

[@LPCustom3]

Why don't you use the 5th fret / 17th fret like Peterson Tuners suggest? That way your guitar will play in-tune all the way up & down the fretboard. 1st to 12th will just be good for the first 12 frets..

[@nckhed]

Interesting. 🤔 I'm gonna try this out.

[@zoomzoom3950]

The guitar company lawyers love.

[@hiseminencetheholymacdiarmada]

Probably the biggest A-HA! moment in my playing was when I learned about intonation. Chords would sound right at the top of the finger board but would sound all out of tune just a few steps up... enter proper intonation and BAM! perfect sounding chords anywhere on the fretboard.

[@rferguson3]

I’m curious about the fact that the bridge is facing screws out (toward stop bar) when my guitars came from the factory, facing the other way. Confused, I looked it up & found multiple forums indicating that it (screw head side) face the pickups/neck. I mean, it seems easier to me, to adjust with them facing the tailpiece, but again, multiple searches recommended not to. Plus, the slots in my saddles, also support them facing the pickups. Someone, anyone, please help lol

[@carsandguitars6264]

My guitar has the high e it’s weird. Like at 12th fret it has a sitar like dissonance sound I know the note is flat but I turned the screw either right or left and it still doesn’t help.

[@modixon6678]

which pickup is best to use? neck or bridge pickup?

[@LeoBram1959]

I have a problem when trying to intonate my 335 .... i "ran out of space" when I had to move the saddle towards the string holder. What is the problem here? Wrong strings? (10-48)

[@beastieboi3965]

Master luthier, how can i intonate a wrap around bridge?

[@jerrywestaway9316]

He is playing my dream guitar that I will never ever be able to have due to the price . My disability income makes it impossible

[@revelationsoundstudio]

My G string on my 335 is sharp on the 5th fret and moving forward to the 12. I moved the saddle all the way to the right and its still sharp What do I do?

[@RBFR01]

I internated my Gibson lespaul by adjusting the bridge saddle thing but when I put my finger on a note and pluck it it's way out on the tuner? How do I fix this?

[@christianpartida6167]

Where can i purchase the guitar neck support? Thanks

[@jasonmiller3167]

"The Final Frontier." That's a Trekker right there.