Lets Talk About Intonation

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[@allthingsmusic-]

Intonating when it's laying flat, the pull on the strings from the magnets is stronger than it is in playing position, which makes the intonation basically ineffective.

[@andytraverse]

I've never noticed that to make any appreciable difference.

[@SamzAsylum]

My memory device for intonation is to imagine the guitar neck as a dark alley while I'm standing on the bridge, and Intonation is someone with a knife. If the knife looks sharp, I back away. If the knife looks flat, I step forward to disarm them.

[@paulmitchell5349]

Fortunately ''there is no money above the 5th fret '' Dave. LOL.

[@MichaelTeichgraber-ro7mc]

Not messed up for me. It‘s inspiring to see your passion for the Instrument. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@seansells8305]

I completely understand intonation now because of your well done video sir.

[@simondbarnes]

Thanks Dave, most useful

[@gregmock6808]

Great topic Dave....I learned to intonate mine long ago but my luthier showed me a few tricks with saddle flipping for my G string on my Casino...did the trick!

[@stratcat9432]

Btw..You did not mess this video up whatsoever. It was spot on in info,entertainment and time length. Perfecto' Dave!😊❤

[@jeffreylammering3506]

Thanks a lot for information 💪

[@zubeystinzen540]

No matter who's guitar I'm setting up I always measure from nut to 12th fret then double that number to see if the bridge is in the right place, also humidity can effect the intonation especially on bolt on necks. Great content Dave👍❤️

[@areyouavinalaff]

If you're measuring, how do you determine what the measurement should be?

[@congamike1]

Ya done good! The way I think of turning the screw is that a shorter string will ring faster so if flat, move the adjustment to effectively shorten the string.

[@mrtn2842]

I learned intonation by myself on my schecter C6 Damien guitar the 2nd year of ownership many years ago … my bridge is a floating bridge as well, and once I checked into intonation ,my guitar was a sorry ass beast , poor thing. Once I intonate my guitar , what an awesome experience /knowledge & another layer of guitar knowledge at your fingertips and can be adjusted in a minutes if that. Haven’t done my Strats yet but I will now (thanks 4 reminder ) when I put new Hendrix strings or .10s 🤔 on and then upgrade with Chinese guitar pickups on my 3/4 size strat. My 3/4 size strat is my guinea pig b4 I touch my 4/4 size Strat . My rule is : once I intonate my ax it’s ready to jam..

[@Ray-Angel]

You know, every Tuneomatic bridge guitar I've ever owned needed to have at least one saddle flipped before I could intonate it. I've got an SG that needs it done now. I think I'll make a video about it.

[@andytraverse]

Sounds like a bad brand or poorly made, never had that with a Gibson 😊

[@Ray-Angel]

@@andytraverse I had it with both my 2017 Les Paul and my 1964 Firebird. My understanding is it's pretty common on set neck guitars.

[@LfunkeyA]

different for every guitar

[@EL_DUDERIN0]

"Flat" = "Forward". I always forget which way as well. Also, if you have a 24-fret guitar you can check it at 24th fret for twice better accuracy.

[@sirvicemanone]

Interesting and informative as always , thank you Dave ! 🙏

[@Robdoesguitar]

All the Telecasters are sitting quietly in the corner, hoping noone notices them right now 😂👍

[@326vince]

I’ve never messed with intonation. I’ll put new strings on and it always helps. I need to learn as I told you in the Tremelo set up video. I am Leary of taking a guitar to the shop as a friend had old capacitors stolen out his old Les Paul. Sad,isn’t it. Too bad there’s no one around I know or trust. My guitars need help. My SG sets up nice and easy. I just change tension of the truss Rod in different climates. But I have 2 Kramer’s. There kinda like my Fender Strat. As I have such nightmares about trying to set them up. I’m horrible at it. Well thanks for the advice. You almost have me wanting to attempt to set my guitars up. Almost. Lol. I’m actually frightened of them. My 1 Kramer’s useless now as frets are worn to the bone! And it’s covered in rust on the Floyd rosé bridge. I couldn’t really use my Tremelo at all as it went outta tune with slight touch. And that was the reason I got the guitar almost 40 years ago! DAMN MAN. IM OLDER THEN SIN! Thanks for letting me babble on. Peace Your amazing. Keep on helping others. You inspire so many. That’s gotta feel good!

[@moto238]

You are always easy to comprehend Dave. Well done Sir.

[@LifetimeBiker]

Ignore the darkness , Dave , I'm a bit thick at the best of times and I understood what you were saying. Very well done. 👍🙏

[@jltrem]

As I listened/watched Dave do this I was working on a new bridge saddle for my 12 string acoustic. Be patient. Don't rush.

[@jimmygillard]

Really good simple explanation of what intonation is Dave, thanks for this.

[@francisjuneescama]

More power always Dave! I am blessed to be your subscriber.

[@mikerauter1859]

This is gold. Thanks Dave

[@paressehylton]

Dave on the white strat. This is OG Simpson, right there.

[@doneriksen5599]

Another great video! Thanks Dave!

[@tombradley1900]

You explained it perfectly Dave.

[@devil_pls]

I was waiting for this one! Perfect timing

[@stevenbird1431]

Great video Dave! Very informative and interesting, I like these types of video and how you explain things are very easy to understand 👍 keep up the great work!!!

[@andyholdstock4559]

The man speaks the truth.when i was a kid i spent years tuneing guitars .it drove me nuts .untill i lernt this.

[@ghfdt368]

Great video Dave. Intonation is a really deep and complex thing to get into and literally anything can influence it. Changing string gauges,if the nut isn't cut right or the slots are too deep,If the frets are not put in and maintained properly or the frets are put in slightly uneven which is the case on almost every guitar. However, no guitar will ever have every note and fret perfectly intonated because that's just the nature of the instrument and you naturally wear frets over time in certain places of the neck and you end up with frets ever so slightly not equal in height even it they don't buzz when playing.

[@christopherwatkins9729]

Great 'vid' ! ... 🤩...

[@bobblake7132]

Great video Mr Dave, made perfect sense. It encourages and empowers people to develop their guitar skills. I understand self doubt but there’s absolutely no need for it here.

[@mike_munro]

Thanks Dave, Great explanation, shorter length = higher pitch, totally made sense to me.

[@jamiereilly-ty7tt]

Excellent thank you dave was very clear and precise, just watched the unlocking the neck vid again learnt so much and very blessedby it..has unlocked me moving forward playing greatly , don't beat yourself up bro you really are a great teacher...thanks for your time and effort i look forward very much to the new vids every week...👍

[@jimcamp2423]

I'll intonate the saddles using both the 12th fret, but also the 5th (4th for a G to B comparison )fret(s). I mean the neck is pretty much fretted and there isn't much you can do about it. So if the E2 string fretted at the 5th fret = A2 string open with no variance in cents off. That saddle is intonated. Move to the fretted A2 string, if that = D3 as open like the prior intonation test, the saddles are where they are supposed to be. Move on to the fretted D3, if that's an open G3, saddle intonation is fine. Doing intonation at the 12th fret is generally just easier though. But when it's done, the 5th fret notes/strings fretted vs open are still going to apply.

[@jimcamp2423]

One can always check each fret & string with a tuner that uses the needle style meter. A properly spaced fretboard for frets will be off or even dead on by the same amount of cents up & down the entire neck. If the string fretted at the 12th fret is a few cents off, the rest of the frets should be off by the same amount of cents for an intonated guitar. That's how you would be able to assess the string action height and how precise the chording/fretting play will be for music. Strings when fretted have a tendency to bend when the string is depressed to the fret. Anyone shouldn't worry about +/- 1 or 2 cents, I've never seen anyone that could detect that beyond a lucky guess. There's always going to be some drift for both sloppier & more precise guitarists, bending a string is pulling the string & note towards sharp. Another fun little test, when tuning your guitar to open string tune. When it's laying flat , tune it a few cents sharp/hot of the intended open string note. Then when the set of strings has been tuned, check the open strings for tuning in the playing position. Magically the open string tuning should be dead on in the playing position. That's the effect of gravity and magnetic pull from the pickups. Every guitar on the planet does this, so those that are OCD, accept that the universe isn't perfect like this. Then there's always 432 vs 440 hz debate for standard A (A4 to be precise & clear). The zen of that is 432 Hz Standard A4 is a spiritual thing ? 432 hz and every note is more accurate for tuning. Give that a try, see which you prefer. www.musicianauthority.com/432-hz-vs-440-hz/

[@stratcat9432]

Wow! Great video with much enlightening info that I am going to immediately put to use today. Thank you so much Dave!

[@Tonneback]

Thanks. This really was helpful. Patreon material this one

[@JamesClarke.yt.]

Lovely stuff Dave, long time subscriber here, remember when you were at 5k subs!

[@zandig666]

Cool brother Dave, lately I just bought cheapies and set them all up myself I've got a cheapie LP with super ds the right set up and pb1 boost I got ace frehley in a can !!!!!

[@keithsa41]

Dave I find you infectious... like a good bacteria 🙂.. You have your calling here with music. Cheers!

[@hank6429]

Temperature and humidity also can change the guitar big time I keep my guitars in the basement upstairs is too dry 👉👍👍✌️

[@GazHogan]

Dave, this video tutorial is fantastic, educational and also funny in places. You should consider a career as a presenter, keep up the good work,, BRAVO BRO 👏👏👏👏👏

[@robbymarquez8245]

Exactly the vid I needed 👍

[@adamsan7494]

Marvelous..😊

[@zebulon39u]

Interesting and informative video Dave. You briefly mentioned Telecasters. Do you have any thoughts on the use of compensated saddles for Teles?

[@vibetone355]

Bet guitar repairers love you 😂😂😂😂 the amount of money your videos have saved me runs into hundreds, l must admit it’s took me about a year to learn how to get my guitars playing the way l want, invaluable information Dave 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@stebsonian]

A good tip is to leave freshly fitted strings a few days before setting the intonation

[@bluessumlin...7067]

Great explanation!🙂

[@zandig666]

The intonation conundrum if ur first fret is a bit sharp or if u like higher action I will generally just find the happy medium or right down what hertz is the happy medium for that guitar I know it's mad scientist !!!

[@wjewell63]

Thanks man..I can use all the tips I get..✌️👍I always think longer is lower shorter is sharper..

[@captainhowdy7847]

"Fret Flat Forward" works for me....

[@pclin75]

Don’t worry dude - it was well explained - great video as usual 👍

[@Dizzle7771]

I'd love for you to give a lesson on how to tune a guitar by ear and how to learn to not be so reliant on a tuner. 🙏

[@thedavesimpson]

I’ve been playing for 23 years. I can tune by ear fine. I just prefer a tuner. Especially for setting intonation.

[@adamsan7494]

Electronic tuners for PM.😁

[@InfernalStateMachine]

saddle moves forward -> shorter length -> will sound sharper Or the other way around 🤣🤣

[@cave1970]

just done my frankenstrat thanks to youre easy guide cheers

[@ifax1245]

Dave, when you said "the best way to do this is with a tuner" I was expecting you to produce a large fish...

[@rod9050]

Hi dave cool video man

[@Mr75044]

Never been able to do it with a clip on tuner Always use a boss.

[@stephanfuchs7891]

Very nice. Thanks, Dave. I just don't understand the difference between harmonics and frets. If you know what I mean...all else is very clear. You explained it very good.

[@MultiCugel]

Great! Very useful thanks. Can you do one about acoustic guitars?

[@johnstanley6977]

You should see my shine tele. It’s intonated but the saddles are so weird. The A and D string are perfectly in line and every other saddle in the normal place. Mind you, I haven’t changed strings four years. Lol

[@eertje01]

I always intonate my guitars by first pluck open string and then fret at the 12th, rather then using the harmonic. Works pretty well too 👍

[@MrBartmulder]

Very informative vid Dave, thanks a lot. I have been trying to set up my ‘91 Strat, but because of lack op proper tools and definitely knowledge, I was going to bring it to the shop, as I couldn’t figure out why it wouldn’t gel. Quick question though master Dave: I have a feeling that even though I’ve just tuned the guitar a few particular chords in the first three frets still sound out of tune. And I’ve tried experimenting with the amount of pressure I put on the strings, but I keep hearing it. And I don’t have this issue on my Tele, so I know that pressure should really not be the cause. Could it be that my nut string depth is not deep enough? Would love your thoughts on this mate. Keep up the good work, I really enjoy watching your channel.

[@thedavesimpson]

It could beva combination of both intonation and the nut but sounds more like the nut to me. :)

[@dave.harmon]

Yeah, string height is very important. If they're too high, you can pull the guitar out of tune. But that can be saddle height or truss rod adjustment. But you'll get to that in another video

[@LfunkeyA]

the harmonics are irrelevant, they will always match the fundamental of the open string, so really you want the accurate fundamental tone when pressed down at the 12th (slight string bend due to pressing). to intonate you need to press on the 12th fret lightly, and then make sure it is in tune. harmonics are useful when tuning by ear, but even then it is not really accurate, more of a to-taste thing.

[@richardlynch5632]

Some tuners offer compensated tuning which lowers/ raises a few cents to enable the guitar to be better sounding...? This is after the guitar has been intonated normally. Haven't tried this yet...however, when I used the Buzz Feiten tuning system...it did improve overall the guitar being in tune with itself...? Then after that intonation was done, just tune each string to the "E" note wherever on the fretboard it is.😁 But that also had the nut moved approximately 2mm closer to the bridge. 😎👍❤🖖koko

[@paulmckeown5672]

that explained the process really well and I take heed of your comments on learning to do this stuff yourself. I have 30+ guitars and at £500 a set up it makes sense to do this myslef. Do you have a video on manipulating the truss rod? Doing that scares me!!

[@jimmy66448]

500?? I would charge someone 50 bucks. It's literally just a setup. And a truss rod adjustment is really not too scary after you've done it once or twice.

[@paulmckeown5672]

@@jimmy66448 typo sorry, meant to say £50

[@jimmy66448]

@Paul McKeown that makes total sense! Haha hope I didn't come off as rude, just thought they must me depositing 14k gold into the cavities of the guitar😅😂

[@thedavesimpson]

Video on truss rods coming soon.

[@reemssmeer-maar-dan-omgeke9028]

Great vid btw 🎉

[@KaddysJamKave]

Hehe I wonder if Dave has any guitars with a Floyd on it... that's a b*st*rd to intonate in my experience but I still love the damn things.

[@thedavesimpson]

I have two.

[@AdamManley7]

Ever try one of those Evertune guitars? 🎸

[@thedavesimpson]

Not yet but I would like too.

[@PaulCooksStuff]

I remember it as F's... Flat, Forward. That doesn't help me instinctively remember whether to turn the saddle screw clockwise/anticlockwise - I still have to pause and think first lol.

[@andytraverse]

I hate that saying, there's no recognisable 'forwards' on a guitar! 😅

[@PaulCooksStuff]

@@andytraverse I understand what direction I mean by it, and that's all that matters to make it memorable and useful.

[@pedrogarrao1]

maybe you could do a video on the subject that playing a open Em and playing a Em on the 7th freet, can give a song completely different sound ,even though they are the same notes

[@TeleStratman]

If a guitar guy asks 20 quid for a setup....he hasn't done anything. 😁

[@thomasjurd172]

Dave just watched your video on your epiphone les paul and don't you like the epiphone les paul and why ... I have a fender telecaster and just bought a epiphone les paul standard pro 2016 honey sunburst and it feels great to play and sounds great?

[@duncansmith5734]

Thanks for a great video, but for a real beginner, please could you explain in detail - or better still demonstrate on video - what you mean by 'playing the harmonic'. Thanks.

[@InfernalStateMachine]

Am I right thinking that you set up intonation AFTER you setup the neck action (bridge height, truss rod etc)? Does it matter? I think all those other setups will slightly change string length saddle to nut, and this affectsintonation?

[@thedavesimpson]

I always do it last yep.

[@Breech_]

Side bar but care to explain what strings you enjoy using ?

[@thedavesimpson]

9s or 10s. :)

[@michaelkarlsson5966]

Thank you for this explainatory video! Great! I have a question but I don't if it's about intonation or even intonation related. In my experience, on strats and teles, even when I got the intonation down good on them the low E string always go a bit flat after a bit of playing. Why is that? Is it the intonation? Do I hit the strings too hard? Or is it something else that I am hitherto unaware of? Please, help, if possible :)

[@thedavesimpson]

I’m not totally sure but intonation is never 100% accurate anyway. If its in tune by ear then it doesn’t matter. It’ll always drift a little.

[@michaelkarlsson5966]

@@thedavesimpson thanks! Yeah, it's never 100% I know. But it seems like only the low E does this for me. Do you think maybe I should intonate it slightly sharp? Or maybe go for a thicker size E? 🤔

[@OkTr3y]

Hi Dave can you pluck at the 12 th instead of using the harmonic method. I’m not the most familiar with harmonics but i don’t mind learning if it’s more effective

[@thedavesimpson]

You can yes. You don’t have to use the harmonic as I was told recently. :)

[@OkTr3y]

@@thedavesimpson thanks I tried both methods and surprisingly my guitar was quite spot on. Very helpful vid, I’m definitely going to be trying my truss rod next. Thanks for the tips. Hope everythings good and you’re feeling well. Really enjoyed watching your left handed video’s recently :)

[@christianroomman6576]

Can changing your string hight and trus rod also change your Intonation?

[@thedavesimpson]

A little but not enough to worry about.

[@larryshields2302]

What about string hight Dave :) Is there a hard for fast rule for this?

[@thedavesimpson]

Nope. Just whatever feels best for you.

[@michaelkarlsson5966]

no rule but too low will cause buzzing and too high will cause intonation problems when you fret the strings and push down on the fretboard.

[@MrNobody-fk7fc]

What's going on with your Fender Champ 100???

[@thedavesimpson]

I sold it years ago.

[@MrNobody-fk7fc]

@@thedavesimpson nooo! Why did you decide to sell it? I own one and still love it. The fx loop was a bit confusing but i sorted it out, it was simple, lol.

[@robjones7725]

I disagree about the orientation of the guitar in the horizontal position to the vertical playing position - physically from the guitar's point of view it should make no difference at all. Why should it? Dave's World of Fun Stuff - a guitar set up and repair guy in Canada says the same and he has about 40 years experience but he still gets questioned about the validity of setting bass and and 6 strings up horizontally but he swears it makes no difference at all. Having said that he checks string height in the playing position but probably because that is easier from a human viewpoint. I'm not saying you are wrong but in the physics of it I don't see why you have to intonate in the vertical playing position. I'd be grateful for your view point on this as to why you insist intonation must be done in a vertical playing position for a guitar? Thaks for the vid. I use a tuner to check the notes all over the guitar as another check to see if intonation is 90%+. Cheers

[@Paul-D]

Does he do it with the guitar lay down on its body or with the neck in a rest? Because the myth of doing it in playing position comes from exactly this, When you add/remove ANY pressure on a guitar neck it shifts the pitch. Try and gently touch your headstock with a note ringing and youll hear it waver slightly. If you do it with the guitar laying on its body only and the neck or headstock isn't resting on anything then it should be fine.

[@robjones7725]

@@Paul-D That makes complete sense, Paul, and explains the physical forces involved. I find it easier to adjust saddles for intonation horizontally and have my neck free of any support. I think you have answered my query. Thank you.

[@z.z.onichi5365]

nice highlights about intonating, what's your thoughts for different frequency tunings? i personally really like the 436hz range and oddly i still find it fits perfectly in tune when playing with other songs using the 440hz

[@LfunkeyA]

probably a sign that you fret and/or strum hard. so you bend that 436hz to 440 :).

[@z.z.onichi5365]

@@LfunkeyA thanks for reply, yeah i thought about it , i don't strum too hard but i do a lot of bends. somehow i feel it stands out more in the mix with 436hz vs the 440hz when i jam along sounds just flat

[@mikehomar5321]

Hi 😊👋

[@reemssmeer-maar-dan-omgeke9028]

Cant get the g string to sound in tune when played open. Can intonation be the problem?

[@martinemesguitar]

I don't think so. Intonation is about the guitar being in tune with itself all the way up to the highest frets. It doesn't affect the strings played open.

[@reemssmeer-maar-dan-omgeke9028]

@@martinemesguitar its strange because technically its in tune but it sounds way of when i play an open chord. Barre chords are fine though.🥴

[@reemssmeer-maar-dan-omgeke9028]

The g string sounds way off that is

[@martinemesguitar]

@@reemssmeer-maar-dan-omgeke9028 That kind of thing can happen when you're very downtuned and the strings are too slack, I think. If not that, I have no idea! G strings are a bit naughty sometimes.

[@reemssmeer-maar-dan-omgeke9028]

@@martinemesguitar lol true😂

[@johnconnor7249]

Not that anyone gives a shit but I’m a Luthier and I work on guitars everyday all day. Some people think intonation isn’t too difficult but I can tell you that it gets pretty complex. But once you get it down it becomes like a science. Working on guitars is such an amazing experience