i bought a jaguar blacktop the other day and the intonation on the E string says its sharp but when i play it the chords sound in tune. i don't understand.
Just found your videos. They are great and very helpful! I was wondering, How often should a person have there guitar brought in for a setup? For instance, a guitar that stays indoors for studio recordings as opposed to a guitar that is played live on weekends at various clubs and venues? Thank you for posting these videos!
Hey Billy! I have a Gibson Explorer and the Bridge and saddle(string guide) is off a little which makes it hard to intonate. Do you have any suggestions? I find your tutorials very helpful
I have a Gretsch 5120, any tips on open string buzz? 10g strings, original saddle and tunners.Also dosnt want to stay in tune, constantly changing. Help!
Hi, my guitar is a Epiphone les Paul Special II, I'm going to replace the original strings to .11 gauge.... Do you think these steps to replace and tune the strings with your guitar should be the same with my guitar?
@mindviolator2 Yes, I think the steps will be the same. If the original strings are a different gauge than the new .011's you are planning to replace them with then your guitar made need to be set up for them. What gauge strings are on the guitar now? -Billy
@GigglingGirI Right, the Ibanez has a floating bridge and the actual bridge piece is wood. You can just balance the two E strings and hope for the best on the other strings. Or take it to a tech to have the bridge "compensated" to try to get the inner four strings to intonate. The other option is to replace the wood bridge part with a tune-o-matic type like on the Gibson. This will allow full intonation. Let me know what you think. -Billy
Billy thank you so much for this lesson i now know how to setup intonation.
What about a bridge on a gibson es175 the bridge slides and is not fixed so it's a bit harder to silde because the slide the bridge will put all the other intonation out on the other strings.
@GigglingGirI You have to set the bridge to where the two E strings intonate with each saddle about half way in their travel adjustment. Then intonate the other four strings. You may have to slide the bridge a bit to get all strings to intonate however. -Billy
@300guitars i dont know what you mean :( my husband's guitar is a gibson es 175 and an Ibanez GB12. Infact all his guitars i play on all have floating bridge.
After watching your video i only adjust the intonation of the E strings and leave the rest because i cant touch it other wise it will throw the E strings out.
@GigglingGirI The tune-o-matic will change the sound. It will make it a bit brighter and will increase sustain. It will not devalue the guitars at all because you can easily change the bridge back to the original without modification. Please let me know if you have more questions and I will try to help. -Billy
@GigglingGirI No problem. I enjoy helping guitarists when I can, If you are interested I have an ebook coming out in September on how to set up guitars. There is some neat information pertaining to archtop guitars that may be helpful in maintaining your guitars. We're doing the final formatting now and I am pumped! Feel free to contact me any time. -Billy
Hey Billy, what would you suggest if I am having an intonation issue on one string, specifically the G string. It remains sharp regardless of saddle adjustment. I have even rotated the saddle to gain adjustment range. only to have the same problem. Any help would be great
@mradambeau I would say to try a different G string first. Then I would want to know if the G string is sharp all over the neck or just at the 12th fret. Your nut slot may need to be adjusted and frets dressed and crowned. I have a guitar set up guide ebook coming out in September that will address lots of these issues. -Billy
Hi there, I like to tune my guitar to 1/2stepdown but the problem is I got buzzing sound on 2nd fret if I play the 1st fret like F, Am chord. Any solution? Thanks.
do you have some tips also for lowering/raising the action? i have a new sg which came with fret buzz on the B and high E strings (out of the box) and i am abit afraid of screwing and unscrewing the tune o matic.
by the way, which pickups are those on the yamaha?
@andrecsx I would say to see if the neck needs adjustment. Maybe it is underbowed? Btw- At the time I had TV Jones Powertron pickups in the guitar. -Billy
@300guitars hey billy, thank you, i will check if it is the neck anytime soon.
and thank you for the info regarding the pickup, i would like to replace the bridge p90 with a soapbar sized humbucker. how does the powertron p90 sized sound like? i have heard also of the gfs soapbar humbucker and dimarzio pickups, but i have no clue about the sound.
Hey, I have a epiphone slash les paul. All of the other strings play fair, but no matter where I place the saddle on the G string its always always ALWAYS a little sharp. What am I doing wrong?
One question, I got an ESP LTD M10 for Christmas, and I just changed the strings, before I changed them they were buzzing at the 1st fret and it still does, and its a tad bit annoying, would a truss rod ajustment fix this problem, or would it screw up the guitar's intonation, action, ect? Also, how could I tell how big of a change to do, or would it be better to take it to a luthier? Thanks.
Hi again Billy. I have struggled with this for a while now. After having set up the tune and begin with the octave, to stay in tune as well, but then the tune at open goes flat/sharp depending with the octave...how is that so?
@naduongruto Are you following the video? What kind of guitar is it? Do any of the strings intonate? Are the strings new? Let me know and I will try to help.. -Billy
@insidedrivers I start by making sure that my guitar is in tune, using a tuner implemented in my amp. After that i start with Low E fretting the 12th, depending if its sharp the distance to saddle is too far and vice versa.
I just put on new strings 2 days ago but they should be stretched out.. but had the same problem with my older strings.
D String is the only one that intonate along with staying in tune in open..
@naduongruto It is difficult to diagnose this guitar without seeing it. I suggest you take it to a tech...Let a tech check it out and see what is going on. Please let me know what happens..!! -Billy
@300guitars. Thanks man, this helped out a ton with my guitar! I just recently decided to learn more about it, and now my notes sound great around the 12th fret. The notes used to clash with each other, but not anymore!
I really like your vids, i certainly learned more about my own guitar. I got myself a les paul standard, and what i want to ask u about is the string height. How do I adjust the string height, example i want to lower the height? and will that affect the tuning?
@naduongruto Thanks for the kind words..!! There are two thumb wheels that raise and lower the bridge. There is also the truss rod. If your truss rod is adjusted properly then you can lower the height with the thumb wheels. Let me know if this helps..! -Billy
You could flip the saddle,so the "flat" side is faced to tail piece.You'll have to remove the little screw and that might be tricky, so take it to someone who has done it or has the right tools.That or buy broader bridge.I got graphtech resomax and it's fucking awesome.Slides like a butter and intonation is perfect.some telecasters have three saddles so they compensate, this is not much of trouble if you don't hear the difference or learn to press your stings so they sound nice to each other.
@willy346 there's a few things you can do, one would be adjust the string height, truss rod adjustment, and maybe the nut has some gunk in it that you can clean out with some 600-1000 grit sandpaper, then move the saddle forward and start over.
hi.. I own a 1973 Gibson SG Standard with a compensated wrap around bridge. now my question is, how can i properly adjust its intonation? can you post some or a video about this problem..
@chadik1841 those ones are tricky, there's not a whole lot you can do, string height and the gauge effects it. On vintage guitars I dont recommend you do this but you can file part of the bridge string slots to help, but again on vintage guitars I don't like to file bridges
I have tried intonating a few of my les pauls and a hollowbody similar to the one you're using. When I adjust the saddle, the entire string falls flat or sharp. I'm not understanding how you can change the distance and still keep the original key in perfect tune.
This is an EXCELLENT question!! What you are experiencing is completely normal. After you have your string to pitch and you adjust the saddle for intonation the string will go sharp or flat depending on the direction of the saddle adjustment. This happens because of the difference in string tension when you adjust the saddle. After each adjustment you have to fine tune the string. Let me know if this helps and feel free to ask more questions! Happy to help! -Billy
Measure these distances at the 12th fret without fretting the strings with your finger. About 4/64" for the high E and about 6 or 7/64" for the low E. Measure from the bottom of the string to the top of the fret wire at the 12th fret. This is a good place to start.
On the 12th fret.But you can raise or lower,how ever you like it, but be avare of string buzz if you go too low. Nut should be cut so that when you press the 3rd fret and look at the gap between first fret (metal piece,not finger board)and bottom of the string, it should fit a thin paper,almost just to see the light in the gap between,not to lay the string on the fret cause that will cause intonation and all kind of other problems.If it's set to high same goes.
thanks billy ,i fliped the saddle and it did work this time *( but my bad ,the problematic string was the 4th not the 3rd as i have mentioned before) so but it worked !!! thanks for beeing there billy i like your videos !!! lets see if you can review somtimes A GIBSON 335 ES DOT , for you to tell the people the real mc coy with this super extremely expensive guitars and at the end there is a lot to do on them
wow thanks for responding so quickly!!! and its funny cos its the only string that has the saddle ( the 6th and the 4th has the angule twrds the nut ) twrds the tail pice ! and i was wondering , that was wird , my guitar is a new es 335 dot 2009 gibson ive paid 2200 and it unbelevable the bad check that gibson people gives to control quality , im really disapointed but ill flip that saddle over and try again
No problem. Before you flip the saddle (unless you already have) try a new string. I have had strings that just would not intonate, more so wound strings though. Let me know if it works out!!
so what do i do on my 335 gibson on the 3rd string (g ) if on the 12th freet i moved the saddle all the way back cos it was sharp all the time , and have no more room for the saddle to go ????
Can you tell me if the saddle has the angle toward the tailpiece or the nut. The saddle has one straight side and one about a 45 degree angle. In your case you want the angle toward the nut and the straight side toward the tailpiece. Let me know if this helps.
this did not help,AT ALL
kylezeni 2 days ago
do one on the wraparound tailpeice
kylezeni 2 days ago
i bought a jaguar blacktop the other day and the intonation on the E string says its sharp but when i play it the chords sound in tune. i don't understand.
renegadepoptard 1 month ago
Just found your videos. They are great and very helpful! I was wondering, How often should a person have there guitar brought in for a setup? For instance, a guitar that stays indoors for studio recordings as opposed to a guitar that is played live on weekends at various clubs and venues? Thank you for posting these videos!
jimireeb 2 months ago
my G string remains sharp regardless of saddle adjustment. all others are fine. could this be caused by a problem at the nut?
mradambeau 2 months ago
Hey Billy! I have a Gibson Explorer and the Bridge and saddle(string guide) is off a little which makes it hard to intonate. Do you have any suggestions? I find your tutorials very helpful
MKirkman72 2 months ago
I have a Gretsch 5120, any tips on open string buzz? 10g strings, original saddle and tunners.Also dosnt want to stay in tune, constantly changing. Help!
larry1954ish 3 months ago
This is very informative! Thanks alot!
ChuanKuiMusic 5 months ago
i found it thanks for the info.Ever work with a floyd rose?What a pain in the !@#$%
LetArtsLive 7 months ago
Hi, my guitar is a Epiphone les Paul Special II, I'm going to replace the original strings to .11 gauge.... Do you think these steps to replace and tune the strings with your guitar should be the same with my guitar?
mindviolator2 7 months ago
@mindviolator2 Yes, I think the steps will be the same. If the original strings are a different gauge than the new .011's you are planning to replace them with then your guitar made need to be set up for them. What gauge strings are on the guitar now? -Billy
300guitars 7 months ago
Just watched your video again i learnt so much thank you for the clear and easy explanation.
GigglingGirI 7 months ago
@GigglingGirI Thank you! I enjoy helping guitarists whenever I can. Glad I could be of some help! -Billy
300guitars 7 months ago
Here is a video of our guitars you will see the bridge is not like yours.
watch?v=USnKrE5Tlbk
GigglingGirI 7 months ago
@GigglingGirI Right, the Ibanez has a floating bridge and the actual bridge piece is wood. You can just balance the two E strings and hope for the best on the other strings. Or take it to a tech to have the bridge "compensated" to try to get the inner four strings to intonate. The other option is to replace the wood bridge part with a tune-o-matic type like on the Gibson. This will allow full intonation. Let me know what you think. -Billy
300guitars 7 months ago
Comment removed
GigglingGirI 7 months ago
Billy thank you so much for this lesson i now know how to setup intonation.
What about a bridge on a gibson es175 the bridge slides and is not fixed so it's a bit harder to silde because the slide the bridge will put all the other intonation out on the other strings.
GigglingGirI 7 months ago
@GigglingGirI You have to set the bridge to where the two E strings intonate with each saddle about half way in their travel adjustment. Then intonate the other four strings. You may have to slide the bridge a bit to get all strings to intonate however. -Billy
300guitars 7 months ago
@300guitars i dont know what you mean :( my husband's guitar is a gibson es 175 and an Ibanez GB12. Infact all his guitars i play on all have floating bridge.
After watching your video i only adjust the intonation of the E strings and leave the rest because i cant touch it other wise it will throw the E strings out.
GigglingGirI 7 months ago
@300guitars
thank you for your reply:
If i get the tune-o-matic type bridge will it destroy the sound? And will it devalue our guitar prices just incase we want to sell them later on?
Here is a video collection of our guitars watch?v=USnKrE5Tlbk
We want to replace all the floating bridges with a tune o matic one.
GigglingGirI 7 months ago
@GigglingGirI The tune-o-matic will change the sound. It will make it a bit brighter and will increase sustain. It will not devalue the guitars at all because you can easily change the bridge back to the original without modification. Please let me know if you have more questions and I will try to help. -Billy
300guitars 7 months ago
@300guitars you have been a great help thank you so much for answering my questions and the knowledge you showed is incredible.
xoxoxxo
April.
GigglingGirI 7 months ago
@GigglingGirI No problem. I enjoy helping guitarists when I can, If you are interested I have an ebook coming out in September on how to set up guitars. There is some neat information pertaining to archtop guitars that may be helpful in maintaining your guitars. We're doing the final formatting now and I am pumped! Feel free to contact me any time. -Billy
300guitars 7 months ago
Comment removed
GigglingGirI 7 months ago
Hey Billy, what would you suggest if I am having an intonation issue on one string, specifically the G string. It remains sharp regardless of saddle adjustment. I have even rotated the saddle to gain adjustment range. only to have the same problem. Any help would be great
mradambeau 8 months ago
@mradambeau I would say to try a different G string first. Then I would want to know if the G string is sharp all over the neck or just at the 12th fret. Your nut slot may need to be adjusted and frets dressed and crowned. I have a guitar set up guide ebook coming out in September that will address lots of these issues. -Billy
300guitars 8 months ago
Hi there, I like to tune my guitar to 1/2stepdown but the problem is I got buzzing sound on 2nd fret if I play the 1st fret like F, Am chord. Any solution? Thanks.
shyfullripped 9 months ago
@shyfullripped You probably have to adjust the neck. Have the guitar set up by your tech to accommodate the lower tuning. -Billy
300guitars 9 months ago
thank you very much, this was very helpful.
do you have some tips also for lowering/raising the action? i have a new sg which came with fret buzz on the B and high E strings (out of the box) and i am abit afraid of screwing and unscrewing the tune o matic.
by the way, which pickups are those on the yamaha?
andrecsx 11 months ago
@andrecsx I would say to see if the neck needs adjustment. Maybe it is underbowed? Btw- At the time I had TV Jones Powertron pickups in the guitar. -Billy
300guitars 11 months ago
@300guitars hey billy, thank you, i will check if it is the neck anytime soon.
and thank you for the info regarding the pickup, i would like to replace the bridge p90 with a soapbar sized humbucker. how does the powertron p90 sized sound like? i have heard also of the gfs soapbar humbucker and dimarzio pickups, but i have no clue about the sound.
thank you very much
andrecsx 11 months ago
Nice video, this guys reminds me of Robert Knepper from prison break :)
copsee 11 months ago
thanks!!! Billy...learned something....today:)
localbyzs 11 months ago
Hey, I have a epiphone slash les paul. All of the other strings play fair, but no matter where I place the saddle on the G string its always always ALWAYS a little sharp. What am I doing wrong?
PawaVidio 11 months ago
Great video ma im gonna give some love to my pride and joy tomorrow thanks to you.
Harrysound 1 year ago
One question, I got an ESP LTD M10 for Christmas, and I just changed the strings, before I changed them they were buzzing at the 1st fret and it still does, and its a tad bit annoying, would a truss rod ajustment fix this problem, or would it screw up the guitar's intonation, action, ect? Also, how could I tell how big of a change to do, or would it be better to take it to a luthier? Thanks.
DeathBeleives 1 year ago
great info !! : )
SIRONEDRAGON 1 year ago
Thanks. Something i've always had problems with is intonation. This has definitely helped me understand how to tweak things myself if need be.
Thanks again.
Dooonthegallowgate 1 year ago
thanks times a million, this really helped me
MusicToMyEars36 1 year ago
@MusicToMyEars36 No problem...hit me up any time..!!!! -Billy
300guitars 1 year ago
this is a great tutorial.
TheExopolitics 1 year ago
@TheExopolitics Thank you very kindly...please feel free to hit me up and ask me questions if you have them....I am happy to help..!! -Billy
insidedrivers 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@TheExopolitics Thank you very kindly...please feel free to hit me up and ask me questions if you have them....I am happy to help..!! -Billy
insidedrivers 1 year ago
Hi again Billy. I have struggled with this for a while now. After having set up the tune and begin with the octave, to stay in tune as well, but then the tune at open goes flat/sharp depending with the octave...how is that so?
naduongruto 1 year ago
@naduongruto Are you following the video? What kind of guitar is it? Do any of the strings intonate? Are the strings new? Let me know and I will try to help.. -Billy
insidedrivers 1 year ago
@insidedrivers I start by making sure that my guitar is in tune, using a tuner implemented in my amp. After that i start with Low E fretting the 12th, depending if its sharp the distance to saddle is too far and vice versa.
I just put on new strings 2 days ago but they should be stretched out.. but had the same problem with my older strings.
D String is the only one that intonate along with staying in tune in open..
naduongruto 1 year ago
@naduongruto It is difficult to diagnose this guitar without seeing it. I suggest you take it to a tech...Let a tech check it out and see what is going on. Please let me know what happens..!! -Billy
300guitars 1 year ago
@insidedrivers its a Les Paul Standard by Epiphone.
naduongruto 1 year ago
i recently got a dean razor back for fathers day with tune o matic and it came with 9's i wanna place some 11's on it would it hurt the neck?
croan08 1 year ago
@croan08 No but you will probably need to have the guitar set up to accommodate the jump in string gauge. -Billy
300guitars 1 year ago
@300guitars thanks cause i love it dont wanna damage it
croan08 1 year ago
@300guitars. Thanks man, this helped out a ton with my guitar! I just recently decided to learn more about it, and now my notes sound great around the 12th fret. The notes used to clash with each other, but not anymore!
twinmacs 1 year ago
@twinmacs Wow....great..!!! I'm glad I could help..!!! Hit me up any time..!! -Billy
300guitars 1 year ago
Hi Billy
I really like your vids, i certainly learned more about my own guitar. I got myself a les paul standard, and what i want to ask u about is the string height. How do I adjust the string height, example i want to lower the height? and will that affect the tuning?
naduongruto 1 year ago
@naduongruto Thanks for the kind words..!! There are two thumb wheels that raise and lower the bridge. There is also the truss rod. If your truss rod is adjusted properly then you can lower the height with the thumb wheels. Let me know if this helps..! -Billy
300guitars 1 year ago
@300guitars Thank you Billy. I've also mailed you, so im sry about posting twice here. but rly appreciate your help!
naduongruto 1 year ago
what if the 12th fret is still sharp even though I've screwed the bridge as far back?
willy346 2 years ago
You could flip the saddle,so the "flat" side is faced to tail piece.You'll have to remove the little screw and that might be tricky, so take it to someone who has done it or has the right tools.That or buy broader bridge.I got graphtech resomax and it's fucking awesome.Slides like a butter and intonation is perfect.some telecasters have three saddles so they compensate, this is not much of trouble if you don't hear the difference or learn to press your stings so they sound nice to each other.
MrMemag 2 years ago
@willy346 there's a few things you can do, one would be adjust the string height, truss rod adjustment, and maybe the nut has some gunk in it that you can clean out with some 600-1000 grit sandpaper, then move the saddle forward and start over.
by the way what kind of guitar is it?
avhcbeaver2 1 year ago
hi.. I own a 1973 Gibson SG Standard with a compensated wrap around bridge. now my question is, how can i properly adjust its intonation? can you post some or a video about this problem..
chadik1841 2 years ago
@chadik1841 those ones are tricky, there's not a whole lot you can do, string height and the gauge effects it. On vintage guitars I dont recommend you do this but you can file part of the bridge string slots to help, but again on vintage guitars I don't like to file bridges
avhcbeaver2 1 year ago
I have tried intonating a few of my les pauls and a hollowbody similar to the one you're using. When I adjust the saddle, the entire string falls flat or sharp. I'm not understanding how you can change the distance and still keep the original key in perfect tune.
seanfoxie 2 years ago
This is an EXCELLENT question!! What you are experiencing is completely normal. After you have your string to pitch and you adjust the saddle for intonation the string will go sharp or flat depending on the direction of the saddle adjustment. This happens because of the difference in string tension when you adjust the saddle. After each adjustment you have to fine tune the string. Let me know if this helps and feel free to ask more questions! Happy to help! -Billy
300guitars 2 years ago
what's a good distance to have your strings raised from the fret board I have a les paul
Bear261186 2 years ago
Measure these distances at the 12th fret without fretting the strings with your finger. About 4/64" for the high E and about 6 or 7/64" for the low E. Measure from the bottom of the string to the top of the fret wire at the 12th fret. This is a good place to start.
300guitars 2 years ago
when i move the saddles rite up or rite down the intonation doesnt change one bit
guitarslf132 2 years ago
What guitar is it? That does not sound right at all. Take it to a tech.
300guitars 2 years ago
I don't understand those measurement, whats that in millimetres
Bear261186 2 years ago
About 2.1mm low E, and 1mm high e.
On the 12th fret.But you can raise or lower,how ever you like it, but be avare of string buzz if you go too low. Nut should be cut so that when you press the 3rd fret and look at the gap between first fret (metal piece,not finger board)and bottom of the string, it should fit a thin paper,almost just to see the light in the gap between,not to lay the string on the fret cause that will cause intonation and all kind of other problems.If it's set to high same goes.
MrMemag 2 years ago
thanks billy ,i fliped the saddle and it did work this time *( but my bad ,the problematic string was the 4th not the 3rd as i have mentioned before) so but it worked !!! thanks for beeing there billy i like your videos !!! lets see if you can review somtimes A GIBSON 335 ES DOT , for you to tell the people the real mc coy with this super extremely expensive guitars and at the end there is a lot to do on them
conrrich 2 years ago
My pleasure. Glad it worked and now you can ROCK!!! Maybe I will get a 335 to review in the future.....we'll see.
300guitars 2 years ago
wow thanks for responding so quickly!!! and its funny cos its the only string that has the saddle ( the 6th and the 4th has the angule twrds the nut ) twrds the tail pice ! and i was wondering , that was wird , my guitar is a new es 335 dot 2009 gibson ive paid 2200 and it unbelevable the bad check that gibson people gives to control quality , im really disapointed but ill flip that saddle over and try again
sincerily thanks for responding !!!
conrrich 2 years ago
No problem. Before you flip the saddle (unless you already have) try a new string. I have had strings that just would not intonate, more so wound strings though. Let me know if it works out!!
300guitars 2 years ago
so what do i do on my 335 gibson on the 3rd string (g ) if on the 12th freet i moved the saddle all the way back cos it was sharp all the time , and have no more room for the saddle to go ????
conrrich 2 years ago
Can you tell me if the saddle has the angle toward the tailpiece or the nut. The saddle has one straight side and one about a 45 degree angle. In your case you want the angle toward the nut and the straight side toward the tailpiece. Let me know if this helps.
300guitars 2 years ago
fantastic man
symsterj 2 years ago
THANKS! Your one of the only people on youtube who know how to really tweak a guitar.
Dakota0708 3 years ago