How to Adjust Intonation on Bass
Adjust your truss rod and adjust your action, if necessary, before setting the intonation of your bass., Examine the bridge of your bass to determine the tool you will need to adjust the saddle positions., Plug your bass into an electronic tuner...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Adjust your truss rod and adjust your action
Adjusting the truss rod and adjusting the action on your bass changes the distance between the bridge saddles and the nut.
Any such change will affect the intonation of the bass. -
Step 2: if necessary
Obtain the necessary tool, which can be a small flat-blade screwdriver, small Phillips screwdriver or an allen wrench. ,, Recheck and adjust the tuning of each string after tuning all of the strings.
Changing the tension on each string will affect the tuning of the other strings.
Continue tuning each of the strings until they are all in tune simultaneously. , Lightly touch your finger on the string directly over the 12th fret.
Verify on the tuner that the string is tuned exactly to G. , Fret the string directly behind the fret.
Fret the string with the same pressure that you would ordinarily use while playing.
Resist the temptation to press more firmly on the string.
Note the tuning on the electronic tuner.
If this note is sharp (above the tone of the harmonic), then the string length from the nut to the bridge needs to be increased.
If the fretted note is flat (below the tone of the harmonic), then the string length from the nut to the bridge needs to be decreased. , If the string length needs to be increased, turn the bridge saddle adjustment screw clockwise.
If the string length needs to be decreased, turn the bridge saddle adjustment screw counterclockwise.
Determine how much to change the saddle adjustment based on how far out of tune the fretted note was. , Play the harmonic to verify that the string is still in tune after adjusting the bridge saddle location.
Fret the string at the 12th fret and play the note.
Observe whether this note is in tune, sharp or flat.
Repeat the process until the note played with the string fingered at the 12th fret is the same and in tune with the harmonic played at the 12th fret. , -
Step 3: before setting the intonation of your bass.
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Step 4: Examine the bridge of your bass to determine the tool you will need to adjust the saddle positions.
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Step 5: Plug your bass into an electronic tuner.
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Step 6: Tune each string on your bass.
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Step 7: Play the harmonic of the G-string at the 12th fret.
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Step 8: Fret the G-string at the 12th fret and play the note.
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Step 9: Adjust the bridge saddle to correct the bass string intonation.
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Step 10: Repeat the process.
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Step 11: Repeat the process for each of the other strings.
Detailed Guide
Adjusting the truss rod and adjusting the action on your bass changes the distance between the bridge saddles and the nut.
Any such change will affect the intonation of the bass.
Obtain the necessary tool, which can be a small flat-blade screwdriver, small Phillips screwdriver or an allen wrench. ,, Recheck and adjust the tuning of each string after tuning all of the strings.
Changing the tension on each string will affect the tuning of the other strings.
Continue tuning each of the strings until they are all in tune simultaneously. , Lightly touch your finger on the string directly over the 12th fret.
Verify on the tuner that the string is tuned exactly to G. , Fret the string directly behind the fret.
Fret the string with the same pressure that you would ordinarily use while playing.
Resist the temptation to press more firmly on the string.
Note the tuning on the electronic tuner.
If this note is sharp (above the tone of the harmonic), then the string length from the nut to the bridge needs to be increased.
If the fretted note is flat (below the tone of the harmonic), then the string length from the nut to the bridge needs to be decreased. , If the string length needs to be increased, turn the bridge saddle adjustment screw clockwise.
If the string length needs to be decreased, turn the bridge saddle adjustment screw counterclockwise.
Determine how much to change the saddle adjustment based on how far out of tune the fretted note was. , Play the harmonic to verify that the string is still in tune after adjusting the bridge saddle location.
Fret the string at the 12th fret and play the note.
Observe whether this note is in tune, sharp or flat.
Repeat the process until the note played with the string fingered at the 12th fret is the same and in tune with the harmonic played at the 12th fret. ,
About the Author
Helen Evans
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow crafts tutorials.
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