Let me start by saying that there is nothing wrong with your intonation technique. I just want to throw out the technique I use that I picked up from Galeazzo Frudua. I lay the guitar flat with the headstock supported so that there is no downward pressure. Supporting the head counter acts any gravity pull and gives precise result. Second, when I check for intonation at the 12th fret first I play it's harmonics and then fret the string to make sure it's the same and if not I adjust accordingly
@lockpicker2k Harmonics aren't precisely in tune with their open strings (some are much worse than others), check it out and see. Also, do you tune your guitar with the 12th fret harmonic to the tuner before playing or just when setting intonation?
Yes, I HATE "chatter" on Fender style guitars. I love my Telecasters and Stratocasters, but I can't stand the chatter. When you know that there is no fret buzz, it is an annoyance to have other unpleasant tones.
At first I thought the chatter on Strats was mostly about the fingerboard radius (either 7.25" or 9.5"), but I now think it must be a combination of fret size, radius, possibly nut, and bridge saddle set up. I believe this because I have an ovation with 10" radius (which is at least close to the modern fender necks) and it has absolutely no fret buzz anywhere and no fretting out either.
@roundaboutwrongway If I ever discover the true cause of this tendency for Fender style guitars to "chatter" nearly everywhere even when the neck and fretwork is top notch, I'll be a rich man I'm sure...
About the "chatter": don't know if it's mentioned, but have you tried lowering the neck pickup (at the bass side) a bit more? If I understand correctly, this is a symptom of what we call "Stratitis" and it's often cured by the above method.
Hi Jason this is Phil pbas1963 Hope you're having a great day.My question is how do you get rid of wobly pickups on a Squier.The guitar set up and plays very good.The pickups are driving me nuts.I think I heard you say you use surgical tubing on one of you're videos.Thank you for all the info on everything especially fretwork Phil
@pbas1963 Sometimes you call stretch the springs so that they compress more when you adjust the pickup height. That often takes care of the wobble. If it's surgical tubing being used, you'll need a longer piece so that things tighten up better. It seems to me that humbuckers cause the most problems in the "wobble" department since they're typically heavier and larger. You can always try different springs...
@minibikedude04 If you're using a very precise tuner, picking quite often when setting intonation will allow you to see both the "attack" and "decay" intonation for the fretted note. The idea is not be too sharp on the attack nor too flat on the decay. The only way you can intonate to this degree of precision is to pick more frequently.
Fantastic Jason. I have the same tuner and have ALWAYS tuned differently and wanted to share the tip. I always tune to the neck pickup, treble rolled off, volume rolled half off. And I wait a second after the pick attack to get my reading. This has always helped me get my tuning faster with the strobe. regards, M
I don’t have much trouble and I check and reset if necessary at every re-string, but of course I’ve been doing it for 30+ years. Peterson tuners work the best for me although they are not an actual strobe tuner they are more than accurate enough. One thing: I check my intonation at the open and 12th fret, but also the 3rd/15th and 5th/17th. Doing so will also give some insight as to how your nut work is. Just my two cents… Great series, quite long but fun!
Jason, Sorry if i've missed this in your other video's (my memory sucks) but what rig are you using to hold the guitar in playing position on your work bench? I didn't realize the SM, vice could rotate that way, so i'm guessing you must be using that little angling nut vice? I just would like to get something setup like that for my little basement shop. Less your clamping on the head stock? Cheers, and thanks for unknowingly apprenticing me for my future luither repair shop. Cheers dude, IC.
Very good video! Two things: One is that i loose the string before adjusting because if it is too tight it wears out. Then retune and check. The other thing is that I returned the peterson. Now I use Sonic Research Turbo Tuner and this is fine and easier for me. Peterson detects even the sound of your breath and never stops. Well, matter of choices, but I get faster results with TT.
Intonation makes me want to pull my fingernails out lol, so frustrating but totally worth it. Thanks again though Jason for this awesome series, I think you would certainly be able to make a DVD series too btw. I would buy it at the drop of a hat.
I have a question jason, why not measure the action at the 12th fret? It seems like many sources i have read say to measure for string height at the 12th fret. Im not implying that you are wrong, im just wondering your reasons why.
Also why did you set the action before adjusting the neck? Dont neck adjustment effect action?
I measure string height at the last few frets because it's they're the closest frets to the saddles and thus are affected most by saddle adjustments. The further away from the point of adjustment you measure, the less difference you'll be able to detect. Too far away from the saddles and almost any amount of adjustment is negligible.
And since I measure action at the last fret (where the truss rod has no effect what so ever) I'm able to set the neck relief very last if I choose.
What a privilege to be the first to watch this video. I've watched a few of your other series and all of this one so far. I'm considering being a guitar tech and all your videos are invaluable. Thanks so much for all the painstaking work!
another easy way for those who dont have a strobe tuner, if you have the guitar in playing position and a tuner in front of you what ever way the needle moves from center then move the saddle the same way, be careful and make sure the saddle moves, on some guitars you'll screw it and the saddle wont move then pops into place later
Let me start by saying that there is nothing wrong with your intonation technique. I just want to throw out the technique I use that I picked up from Galeazzo Frudua. I lay the guitar flat with the headstock supported so that there is no downward pressure. Supporting the head counter acts any gravity pull and gives precise result. Second, when I check for intonation at the 12th fret first I play it's harmonics and then fret the string to make sure it's the same and if not I adjust accordingly
lockpicker2k 2 months ago
@lockpicker2k Harmonics aren't precisely in tune with their open strings (some are much worse than others), check it out and see. Also, do you tune your guitar with the 12th fret harmonic to the tuner before playing or just when setting intonation?
smbstressfest 2 months ago
Yes, I HATE "chatter" on Fender style guitars. I love my Telecasters and Stratocasters, but I can't stand the chatter. When you know that there is no fret buzz, it is an annoyance to have other unpleasant tones.
TheMadMusicMan 4 months ago
At first I thought the chatter on Strats was mostly about the fingerboard radius (either 7.25" or 9.5"), but I now think it must be a combination of fret size, radius, possibly nut, and bridge saddle set up. I believe this because I have an ovation with 10" radius (which is at least close to the modern fender necks) and it has absolutely no fret buzz anywhere and no fretting out either.
roundaboutwrongway 6 months ago
@roundaboutwrongway If I ever discover the true cause of this tendency for Fender style guitars to "chatter" nearly everywhere even when the neck and fretwork is top notch, I'll be a rich man I'm sure...
smbstressfest 6 months ago
About the "chatter": don't know if it's mentioned, but have you tried lowering the neck pickup (at the bass side) a bit more? If I understand correctly, this is a symptom of what we call "Stratitis" and it's often cured by the above method.
desdinova09 1 year ago
Hi Jason this is Phil pbas1963 Hope you're having a great day.My question is how do you get rid of wobly pickups on a Squier.The guitar set up and plays very good.The pickups are driving me nuts.I think I heard you say you use surgical tubing on one of you're videos.Thank you for all the info on everything especially fretwork Phil
pbas1963 1 year ago
@pbas1963 Sometimes you call stretch the springs so that they compress more when you adjust the pickup height. That often takes care of the wobble. If it's surgical tubing being used, you'll need a longer piece so that things tighten up better. It seems to me that humbuckers cause the most problems in the "wobble" department since they're typically heavier and larger. You can always try different springs...
smbstressfest 1 year ago
stop picking so much.
minibikedude04 1 year ago
@minibikedude04 If you're using a very precise tuner, picking quite often when setting intonation will allow you to see both the "attack" and "decay" intonation for the fretted note. The idea is not be too sharp on the attack nor too flat on the decay. The only way you can intonate to this degree of precision is to pick more frequently.
smbstressfest 1 year ago
Fantastic Jason. I have the same tuner and have ALWAYS tuned differently and wanted to share the tip. I always tune to the neck pickup, treble rolled off, volume rolled half off. And I wait a second after the pick attack to get my reading. This has always helped me get my tuning faster with the strobe. regards, M
FernandesStrat 1 year ago
what do you think about the earvana nut that's supposed to alleviate some of those problems?
jamesabrush 1 year ago
I don’t have much trouble and I check and reset if necessary at every re-string, but of course I’ve been doing it for 30+ years. Peterson tuners work the best for me although they are not an actual strobe tuner they are more than accurate enough. One thing: I check my intonation at the open and 12th fret, but also the 3rd/15th and 5th/17th. Doing so will also give some insight as to how your nut work is. Just my two cents… Great series, quite long but fun!
kingoftone1966ef 1 year ago
ya my tele does that on the low e and was cutting out a little on the real high end.
cjdavda 1 year ago
Jason, Sorry if i've missed this in your other video's (my memory sucks) but what rig are you using to hold the guitar in playing position on your work bench? I didn't realize the SM, vice could rotate that way, so i'm guessing you must be using that little angling nut vice? I just would like to get something setup like that for my little basement shop. Less your clamping on the head stock? Cheers, and thanks for unknowingly apprenticing me for my future luither repair shop. Cheers dude, IC.
IcechickenSr 1 year ago
I was indeed clamping the headstock from the sides. The jaws of the vice are lined with soft 1/8" urethane and are safe for finishes.
smbstressfest 1 year ago
Very good video! Two things: One is that i loose the string before adjusting because if it is too tight it wears out. Then retune and check. The other thing is that I returned the peterson. Now I use Sonic Research Turbo Tuner and this is fine and easier for me. Peterson detects even the sound of your breath and never stops. Well, matter of choices, but I get faster results with TT.
AntonioCavicchioni 1 year ago
Intonation makes me want to pull my fingernails out lol, so frustrating but totally worth it. Thanks again though Jason for this awesome series, I think you would certainly be able to make a DVD series too btw. I would buy it at the drop of a hat.
paulk2225 1 year ago
.040"? That's less than 3/64... W00t!
ShaggyDawg 1 year ago
What is that in mm?
lidesnowi 1 year ago
@lidesnowi 1.016 mm
ShaggyDawg 1 year ago
Thank's ShaggyDawg
lidesnowi 1 year ago
I can't thank you enough for what you teach us in each one of these videos.
02stanggt 1 year ago
I have a question jason, why not measure the action at the 12th fret? It seems like many sources i have read say to measure for string height at the 12th fret. Im not implying that you are wrong, im just wondering your reasons why.
Also why did you set the action before adjusting the neck? Dont neck adjustment effect action?
thanks!
kh155 1 year ago
I measure string height at the last few frets because it's they're the closest frets to the saddles and thus are affected most by saddle adjustments. The further away from the point of adjustment you measure, the less difference you'll be able to detect. Too far away from the saddles and almost any amount of adjustment is negligible.
And since I measure action at the last fret (where the truss rod has no effect what so ever) I'm able to set the neck relief very last if I choose.
smbstressfest 1 year ago
What a privilege to be the first to watch this video. I've watched a few of your other series and all of this one so far. I'm considering being a guitar tech and all your videos are invaluable. Thanks so much for all the painstaking work!
funkyjones 1 year ago
intonation can be very frustrating.
another easy way for those who dont have a strobe tuner, if you have the guitar in playing position and a tuner in front of you what ever way the needle moves from center then move the saddle the same way, be careful and make sure the saddle moves, on some guitars you'll screw it and the saddle wont move then pops into place later
avhcbeaver1 1 year ago