How to Intonate an Electric Guitar

[@sweetwater]

You're going to love how sweet your guitar sounds after following these steps! Have a question? Drop it in the comments 👇

[@ceb4382]

All of the pickups should be lowered.

[@flashy5150]

It, what about the elastic band,won’t that hold the string back from a successful intonation, rubber does grab on anything serrated, like a guitar string. Will using an elastic band screw up your intonation? That’s my question. Thanks

[@dmeemd7787]

Thanks so much for this video! I literally do all these things that you showed Oh, so it makes me feel a whole lot better when I do work on my friends guitars for them! You can never learn or relearn enough! Plus your store is great and the list goes on! There are too many channels out there that don't have very good information or a really long don't get to the point, this video gets right to the point with lots of detail given in a manner anyone should be able to understand. 😊🤘🏻 Everybody wants to be an expert yet no one wants to keep an open mind LOL :-)

[@nikojnemavakvo]

why is the half of the video useless info

[@bdgdr7722]

What is it that makes the g-string such an issue

[@bbrotherton6345]

I have been playing and setting up guitars for 65 years. I learned a couple of useful tips from this video.

[@andrepalomaro353]

Concise and effective review! Thank you for your guitar service! 😂❤

[@zackcarpenter5936]

this guy explains everything in a way thats super understandable unlike most other luthiers that dont think to explain things in a way that easy for a non guitar tech to understand. I even learned something on this video! 👍👍👍

[@dancarr8185]

I disagree

[@RR31982]

I learned a few things from this video 😁 thank you

[@RR31982]

@@dancarr8185 what was hard to understand from this video for you 🤔

[@lucas-kanemutti6963]

@@NubsWithGuns literally

[@lucas-kanemutti6963]

@@dancarr8185 same, i switched off when he started going on about the gravity of the neck lol

[@jimvandemoter6961]

I started playing in 1961 when I was 9 years old. I'm 71 now and I still play. I've also been doing setups over 30 years and this is one of the best tutorials I've seen. This guy knows his stuff. Great video, thank you.

[@efebezmez6903]

3:32 I watched about 5 videos about intonation. None of em put it as simple as this. Thanks.

[@cmkilcullen8176]

At Efe R. Because it ain't, unfortunately...

[@johnnym.wright7644]

Sweetwater, the best customer service in the business

[@Jeff-11_354]

I've been playing guitar 25 years. We just moved, and I don't know who the reputable tech/luthiers are in my new area. I knew that my main guitar was sharp, but didn't want to take it to an unknown shop. Thanks to this video and my Peterson tuner, I'm playing in tune again. God bless you.

[@Left_hand_clapping]

Excellent video. I already understood how to intonate a guitar but the statement about using a high resolution strobe tuner recommendation took my setup to the next level. I thought my previous tuner was good enough but I just picked up a strobe tuner accurate to 1/1000 of a semitone and wow what difference it makes. Thank you Greg!

[@imoffendedthatyouareoffended]

I use ableton live’s tuner. It’s so damn accurate I love it. It goes by hz which I prefer much more over a note.

[@soupernutt9508]

I looked up Greg's tuner, the Peterson. It's about $995 on Sweetwater's site now. It's accurate to 0.1 cent. Same as yours. They also sell another Peterson for $4,383.99. But, it seems to have the same accuracy and features.

[@bigbasil1908]

A strobe tuner sounds like overkill lol. Most times when I tune I just do it by ear, though I have an Ibanez electric acoustic that has a built in tuner and I've used that a few times just because it's there lol

[@pe777vidmax5]

@@bigbasil1908 Have to say a 900$ dollar tuner is like buying a 250$ guitar cable. Maybe a tad overkill. Like one of the "😲👉🏼🎸oh my God I just bought a expensive guitar and it sounds amaze balls" youtube unboxing videos. Or the "Filling my guitar body with jello pudding, it's ethereal" videos. 😆

[@brooksphillips2234]

​@bigbasil1908 it's not necessarily overkill. They are faster and have lots of sweetened tunings usually. Any tuner is fine for getting your guitar in tune but when doing intonation it's better to have a good strobe tuner.

[@alextai6638]

possibly one of the best video about how to do intonation, most accurate and covering all the details

[@EWilliams81]

Ahhh, the mysteries of intonation. Thanks for shedding some light. And much love as always to Sweetwater.

[@bulletbeatz5979]

I’ve always loved sweetwater. They don’t feel artificial like so many other companies. I needed help setting up my Alesis keyboard that I got off of amazon and mistook them for the manufacturer. I was on the phone with an employee and he helped me even though they gained no money from it. I’m buying a prophet rev2 and a kc 600 amp from them within the next month. Thank you sweetwater!

[@beansrgd]

Buying my first beginner bass from Sweetwater in a couple of weeks!! They make the customer so comfortable- There’s Nothing like feeling you are talking to someone who care’s versus someone who just works at a retail store . A completely different experience. Never rushed on the phone .

[@deadnthehead4557]

I don't know how many years I have been practicing with a guitar with the intonation messed up. This was an awesome tutorial for my first time setting up an electric guitar. The sound of everything is a hundred times better. Chords or scales I thought I was playing badly sound amazing!

[@yayayaokoksure]

Haha changes everything right!

[@markrichardson5442]

So you never noticed and I bet no one else did.

[@stevenherr3691]

I have bought many guitars (Electric & Acoustic) from Sweetwater. Always top notch. I trust the setups and quality.

[@billtravis523]

I came back a couple of hours later to hear him say, "Use a wound third" string. Thought I'd heard it correctly the first time, looked at the strings in my cart at Sweetwater and came back to verify. For me, intonation stability and ringing true is why I'm watching this pro set up a guitar. This is a valuable vid to me for multiple reasons. I'll be back when I have the wrenches and screwdrivers on the table with my Strat. It has sounded a bit sour to me since receiving it, so will verify or adjust everything now that a Peterson Strobostomp HD pedal has arrived to keep me in line.

[@censored7881]

0:33 - I usually use my guitar's neck as an armrest as well. I find it helps overall tuning.

[@justinkozel9639]

This video just helped me so much. I was having the same problem mentioned in the video. Some of the notes sounded way out of tune. Finally solved that problem. Thank you for making a video that was easy to understand!

[@FRANANGELICOONA]

I found that laying my guitar on its back makes the strings go sharp. So I tune my guitar in the position I play

[@YesuAiNimen]

This is the best method

[@briankoncyk3379]

Sweetwater does a great job setting up your new guitar when buying it! My Randy Rhoads Pro I bought years ago was closest to perfect you could get when it arrived. Great place to buy a guitar from and great people if you need anything. They really care about their customers. Helpful video. Thanks!

[@MegaChoo2]

About 3:29 comes a great verbal visual on what to do. Thank you guys.

[@homemademusic7]

Greg you just gave me the instructions and confidence to do it myself, and not have to take my guitars to the shop for setups anymore. Thanks man, and God bless!

[@DVTOM]

Why does everyone have such a hard time with this? Learn the mechanics behind properly doing it. I have 6 Ibanez's with all different trems and learned how to set it up properly years ago. I once sent my JPM100 to a shop and will never do it again. It's either me or Ibanez techs that touch mine. It's easy to do. Neck adjustments, wiring all of it if you properly learn it. Great video!!!!!!!

[@cliffordesolomon8923]

Thank You Don and Greg I never before since I was five years old deadened all strings except the one I was tuning intonating but then I only had a wa wa peddel when ten years old none of this new fantastic gear I got from You at Sweetwater now but now I'm 63 years old and learning still.

[@GS-uy4xo]

I love passionate guitar techs!! And he’s a natural teacher👍🏼👍🏼

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Love Sweetwater - only place I shop, since 1993. I see he has: 3 in 1 oil, Feed & Wax, & DeoxIt. Glad I am using the same products. I also love some of the Music Nomad stuff. This was great. oNe LovE from NYC

[@williamkimball7716]

Wouldn't you need to lower all 3 pickups to lessen the pull of the pole magnets on the strings? Thanks for the excellent instructional video!

[@Thelongesteconoline]

Thumbs up on Bahco screwdriver. The rubber grip won’t scratch the guitar finish and its a European tool company owned by Snap-On. So this guy doesn’t just buy a cheap Chinese screwdriver. Guys that work with tools for a living know that tools count. Its also a great vid and I learned how to intonate this guitar I’m fixing up for my daughter for Christmas. Thanks for the vid. Great channel and cool luthier tech with useful info.

[@brianchamberlain3485]

WOWZERS !!! Super fantastic video tutorial on intonation. I knew nothing about "intonation", and had the "horrid hellbent harrassment" 3rd string (G) problem when I bought a used electric......your step by step method and excellent instructions made this intonation process inviting rather than scaring me off of even touching any of the parts involved. You've given me a new perspective....I was ready to toss my guitar out the window, but this simple and quick adjustment process gave me the positive attitude back, and I'll be ever grateful to you for "tuning me back in to playing guitar"!!!!! CHEERS TO YOU!!!!

[@CuzaAlino]

6:24 Hats off to you. That's where I knew you really know how to do the job correctly because a lot of luthiers I've been seeing do it with the guitar laying on a table.

[@BasilHayden]

Glad that he made the point of mentioning he intonates in playing position. A lot of techs do it flat like in the demo.

[@trulsdanielsen1060]

5.33 I really must say this video must be one of the most valueable I have seen since I don't remember already. Seen dozens already and and a few of this sidenotes he pushes in before he even begins I have never considered before and makes perfect sence. Wll try this at once. Thanks for the tips.

[@KipCount]

Would love a video on working through different scenarios, one being you need to lengthen a sharp string, but your saddle is all the way back. Things like that.

[@marcwormjim]

All things considered, Gary Moore’s looking GREAT here.

[@michaelcraig9449]

Les is MMoore!

[@HeltonMoraes]

And so does David Ellefson!

[@DuggyDugunder]

That's Dean Ween, duh.

[@S1LVERflyin]

@@HeltonMoraes that aged like milk 😂😂😂

[@dgerch]

Weird Al and Dean Ween

[@DirdyBirdy]

Best detailed video about intonation ever! Many thumbs up! I finally got my baby sounding great and I didn't have to spend a lot of dough either!!!

[@DarnelNeel]

great talent guys at Sweetwater !

[@michaeltihon3485]

I was wondering what intonating a guitar was, super, super useful info, thanks 👌

[@davidfrank2824]

Let me say I do really love this channel. This video is one of my more favorite one. I like to technical part of guitar playing. I can appreciate what it takes to get everything out of it as you can. Most of my friends bring their things to me. Whenever they want to change things out or upgrade they asked me for help. Most of them do not even know what end of the soldering gun to use. Whatever this video pops up on my KZbin account I always watch it. I don't care who you are there is always things you can learn. Nobody knows everything. That's my biggest reason I appreciate KZbin. People from across the world can learn from one another. I know I can only hit the like button once and of course I am a subscriber.

[@NormanRea]

Great video. Learning alot. I am a new player and am just learning all this.

[@RonTimmonsM1]

Greg is a great person, very knowledgeable and he is a great guitar player regardless if he gives himself credit or not. This video will help many people not get things thrown at them LOL I am glad to see this video posted.

[@davidrice3337]

I worked in fabrication and layout in the metal trades - The little tricks make all the difference

[@adsicks]

Strobe tuners are so integral to this process all my buds always just called setting the intonation "strobe tuning"....once my guitars are set up I tweek them here and there for different strings. When they start getting bad, back to the bench to strobe them....

[@ScragNath]

I played (and recorded) in the 70's/80's not knowing about intonation. Always wondered why my axe sounded great on some strings and rubbish on others. Managed to blag my way through gigs for years.

[@sturm4n]

The point about letting the strings stretch in and a bit of playing the strings in really helped! I tried intonation set up straight away with new strings and a few days later I was horrified! Worse than before! I think this could be the simple reason! Thankyou very much!

[@johnnie3Chords]

I'm about to apply everything I just learned on my refinished 83 Ibanez ROADSTAR 2

[@ernestgrouns8710]

It's fascinating to watch someone who is a master of their trade. Excellent video, learned a lot!

[@TheOcing6]

Beautiful explanation on this process. Thank you very much. Super helpful.

[@grumblyone3334]

Many thanks! Just threw my little Takemine GX- 200 TB back together after years of neglect, & REALLY wanted to get that nailed! Big help.

[@stanadams3481]

One thing he did not mention was to talk with the player and get feel for how light or aggressive of a player he/she is and how much pressure they used when playing. That makes a difference also. Other wise great video Sweetwater!

[@wendelllanders8439]

Thank you!Watching which way to turn the screw to elongate or contract the string.Answered my question!!!Thanks again!

[@legoharry100]

Would y'all be able to do a video on intonation with a Floyd Rose or Ibanez Edge or something?

[@mrmisterman999]

I could if you really wanted to know

[@Gordonhermederme]

Sweetwater rules. Simple, useful instruction.

[@BatEatsMoth]

On the tuning with the neck pickup thing, I find the same to be true of bass. I also pluck the string over the neck pickup when tuning. I get the best overall tuning regardless of where I pluck the strings if I do it that way.

[@gonzo5648]

That is a good observation. They talked of splitting hairs, and I could see how where we pluck, or impart energy into it would effect how it rings out. The pickups tend to sit directly under a harmonic node, so striking it there would mean that the waves settle into their nodes more quickly and accurately than if we struck it between them in a non-mathematically accurate, or harmonious, way. All those small things add up to one big thing in the end.

[@astrofiachaire]

This is great. I just gotta learn some about setting up the neck and I'll surely give it a go!

[@stevenclarke5606]

Thanks for an excellent explanation, very clear and concise allowing me to fully understand the importance of the intonation.

[@adampellin1560]

Dude I have played guitar as a hobby for over 10 years and never even touched those little screws on the bridge. I always figured it was “luthier stuff” lmao. Thanks for the info! Hopefully my playing will sound a lot better :)

[@HOVREDDY]

Breaking it down Barney style. Outstanding work and confidence in your craft Greg, I’d love to hear about what you have to say about the nut and pickup height, as well as truss rod adjustments. Aspiring luthier here 🙌

[@billdelaney4222]

Wow the epiphany I never had myself thanks so much man this was great I neede this the guy Dave Sumner in Delaware retired and I’m lost lol thanks again

[@StevenJarrett1961]

Best video I’ve seen. I have to give it to Sweetwater, they do an amazing job.

[@ŁeChíí-Diné]

As true as the saying: Right tools for the right job. Thx a mil, another aspect for us learners.👍🎸🤘

[@MrAllan9]

Glad I found this site, I've been setting others intonation for years, but you made some really good points. 👍

[@aliensphyncter9528]

Thanks for this I needed it iv never touched the Seattle from factory. Somtimes it would get a lil funky. But now I know how to fix it thanks

[@Rski1234]

Your explanation is spot on Greg !

[@armoredsaint6639]

I drop mine off at Lightning Joe’s Guitar Heaven in Arroyo Grande Ca. When I come back it’s perfectly intonated and adjusted! Easy!

[@jackstark1860]

Wow I really did not expect this video to answer everything the way it did, absolutely fantastic work. Greg is the way.

[@TheSyko7]

Wow. I never thought of comparing the harmonic. I used to intonate by ear. I was always close but still found spots that were off. I gotta try this. Thanks.

[@timmotel5804]

Very nicely done and educational. I'm waiting on my 2022 American Ultra HSS Strat from Sweetwater. Fender hasn't shipped it to them yet. Should a new high end strat be OK from the factory? Thank You

[@firearmsinstructor320]

Awesome instruction. Mandy Patinkin is awesome😂🤣😅 But seriously folks. The tapping on the saddle with the screwdriver was my uncle's trick too ! Thanks for this Sweetwater.

[@jadamsjr_]

Great explanation!! Awesome video!!

[@pe777vidmax5]

I didn't know Dean Ween intonated his own guitars. Awesome.

[@YAMANAZOR2004]

I was looking for this comment lol

[@noahtenshen]

First time I heard anyone talk about the wound third string and bending--or maybe why it is a fail if you do bend. I found this out the hard way and was puzzled, but feel better (informed) now. Good stuff.

[@mungrel6668]

Great informative video. Not as daunting a job as I expected. Thanks for the vid!

[@matthewwalker6621]

38 years later it's time to replace the bridge and this is a life saver

[@AlinFlorida]

Outstanding explanation of the finer points of intonation! A couple of suggestions: for those of us who are brand new to guitars it would be helpful for the camera to show that you re-tuned after each turn of the screwdriver. Also, it would help if you explained which way you were turning the screwdriver. Some of us (me, anyway) are coming to this with no guitar tech knowledge whatsoever. Thank you for this easy to understand video!

[@randydalton8418]

For me It's better to leave the guitar set up as to which you were going to play it Lowering pickups correcting intonation raising pickups Will make the same Out of tune sound you guys are great love your vids

[@johnkenny4052]

Greg…that’s so incredibly easy to understand…Thank You👍

[@peoplerpeople9136]

wound 3rd and plug in tuner saved me from the g-string headache. Thanks so much

[@RyanTaylor0201]

Wound 3rd? What does this mean?🤔

[@peoplerpeople9136]

like the 4th 5th and sixth string winding around the the wire .

[@scottrichardson6226]

Bought a Marshall full stack, a Geo Harrison Gretsch, an Epiphone Les Paul and an original Gibson Les Paul. Then 6 months later developed Dupetryns Contracture in my left hand. Life sucks at times!

[@johnmoyer5515]

Nice video, i have my old hollow body univox to work on my dad bought me back in 67

[@bonsaitigerMTB]

Greg Reszel is a saint.

[@TheA1carpetman]

Thanks for your time and help on this one

[@willieboy8798]

5:59 needle tuner it is called d arsonval meter movement and it is based in current and the flow between poles in magnetism. the problem with using this technique and it is a good one.....hysterisis looping the return never comes back the same way that is the problem with magnetics wave indifference....equations reguire you do redo for the variations in the loop! welcome to magetics and variable function calculus...

[@JOHNATHAN0110]

I needed this video last week 😭😭

[@gillhall2777]

I really understood this explanation of how to do this other ones like this have seen weren't so good I bet this explanation is excellent

[@ronaldtober9443]

Simple and Sweet , I mean Simple and Sweetwater!!! . Thanks a bunch made it look easy.

[@sunnytaufiq07]

Great. Hope to have video about to maintain the tones of the guitar...

[@cudapaul957]

That was very informative it's really breezy thank you so much for posting awesome lesson

[@dougmorissette459]

Fantastic video! Very well done, informative and detailed instructions.

[@stubaker2574]

Thanks for the demo and easy to understand instruction's...now Im confident to do it myself !!

[@sandyfraser100]

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou, did I say.....Thankyou, cheers from Sandy in Scotland.

[@M.C.R.SYNTRN]

Can you do one on different pickup heights for a really heavy tone?

[@mrmisterman999]

Height=more treble usually. Depends on pickup position too

[@MH-ql8ue]

thanks for answering that question. I never fully understood the intonation vs. tuning, now i do

[@zenmaster6780]

That was some excellent stuff. Thank you so much! Now to get a strobe tuner…

[@Davidckennedymusic]

Thank you!! NOW I get it!

[@eivindramsdal9496]

Great video, helped me so much! 😊

[@kyleplunkett2490]

Best intonation tutorial video ever!

[@jeffcotton2120]

The main fervent kord finding range scale needed to know is any root note (r) plus 4 more notes in order up or down, then 5, 7, 8, 9, & 12. Then repeat that pattern at every new octave, ( R + 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12 ), then ( R + 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 24 ), then (R + 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 36 ) & so on. ( R + 4 + 4 + 4 etc...) Works well also. ( R + 26 ). There is also a 9 note Ionian scale at ( R + 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1) to Base new scale keys on, I like it. This is in addition to the 7 note Greek Ionian scale or known Major scale many musicians use @ ( R + 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1 ). The Greek Minor Scale or Pentatonic Scale is all the notes that the Greek Major Scale is Not, @ ( R + 3, 2, 3, 2, 2 ). All scales ever made or found go into 12 different keys that shift one note at a time from the chromatic scale, but use the same number pattern starting on a new letter note. Which is all of the notes in order up high tone or down low tone @ ( C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B ). This creates different tone combination sounds & tuned scales when combined with the number patterns. The sharps are ascending up to higher tones, flat symbols are the same notes descending down to lower tones. All scales are repetitive back to the first number once the last number has been reached. Then applies to a different tone that stays in tune with the other tone notes being used when ascending or descending on a number pattern. Electronic Cymatics need to be found & used to find the best Frequencies to make Kords & scales with, from & through. Not everyone is using the best tones available & most are trained away from them & slightly off of them. 440 hz does not find the best Frequencies, & is too high pitched & tight to let the Better Frequencies flow, vibrate & Resonate. Most Pianos should be retuned to 416 hz, which is one note down from 440 hz. Many kinds of Pianos tuned to different key press scales should be Kreated, with pick up systems, then coordinated with the proper lighted kolor range each frequency kreates. We kan also use a frequency liked in between 440hz & 416hz, some use 432 hz, I like 417 hz. Others vary appending on what kinds of sounds & feels are wanted to be created. And there are other hz frequencies lower & higher available. There is also a specific Kolor or combination Kreated by each piece of Any Frequencies or sounds, that coorilates to a frequency in range that is sounded. There is much more to learn about Vibrational Resonate Frequencies & Tone, they are actually used in Kreation, with Magik, & Positive Kreative Produktionisms. The guitar should be tuned to 5 notes apart on All Open Strings!...

[@michaellawlor1267]

Krazy

[@guruofendtimes819]

It should be tuned to a scale which open tuning is no scale...

[@andrewdaileychufable]

That was so incredibly helpful! Glad to know I can do this at home with just a screwdriver as well

[@mickclark4861]

Thank you so much, never seen a video explaining this before.

[@AveragePoké]

Did you mention scale lengths? That can be used as a starting point if someone cranked all the saddles all the way back or forward.

[@mikeg3660]

Great, down to earth instruction.