General intonation question

[Tele_MEL]

Hi,

Played my <new to me> used G&L Tribute ASAT. Sounded fine with chords in first position, but when doing some lead work at the 14th fret, sounded bad.

So decided I should check the intonation.

I've got a Peterson Strobe, so went the process for each string:
tuned the open string to perfection, then lightly fretted the string at the 12th fret, and noted sharp or flat. Adjusted the saddle correspondingly, and started over - tune the open string, then check the lightly fretted at 12th fret .

Things sound much better,

but is this the right way to do it?

I see in my Guitar handbook by Ralph Denyer, and a post in a nearby MIM intonation - that the comparison is supposed to be between the 12th fret HARMONIC, and the lightly fretted 12th fret.

I don't see how those can ever match, because one is the harmonic, and the other will be while stretching the string down to the fret.

Anyway. Appreciate the advice, as I won't mind going thru and retuning if it gets the guitar spot on

thanks!
Mark

[mellecaster]

You will see differing opinions on whether to use the open string or harmonic to compare....I actually use both to compare to the fretted 12th...but with your Peterson, I feel the way you have done it, should be just fine....and then if you get bored, read up some on Tempered Tuning...and that will really get you head spinning.......

[Tele_MEL]

Thanks mellecaster.

If we're getting into splitting hairs territory re: compare the open string versus the harmonic to the fretted 12 fret,.. then I'm OK <for now>

At least now I know the open string method is not categorically wrong!, and the guitar does sound much better up higher on the fretboard.

The Peterson Strobe has been one of my better expenditures. It does have menu options for tempered tunings, which I've never delved into.

Mark

[boneyguy]

I tend to use the harmonic only because I find more stability in pitch. In other words when I pluck the open string there is alot more wavering above and below the target pitch.

I don't see how those can ever match, because one is the harmonic, and the other will be while stretching the string down to the fret.

The same concern would be true for using the open string instead of the harmonic, wouldn't it?

[blue metalflake]

Originally Posted by Tele_MEL

If we're getting into splitting hairs territory

I think you're well into the splitting hairs issue here. There's a limit to what the ears can detect, and they're not a patch on a tuner. What you've done will be fine.

[Tele_MEL]

Re: The open string frequency stability :
That's a beauty of the Peterson strobe unit, as it's so accurate. You can actually see the differences in - initial string pluck then as it decays theres the slight drop in frequency. You can really get the open string spot on - and pick whether you want the stationary bars to be at impact, earlier or later in the decay.

Re: Same Concern open string vs. harmonic.
The way I'm trying to get my head around it. You're trying to get the string length so the 12th fret represents the halfway point between the nut and the bridge. When you do the harmonic, you're stifling the primary but hearing the vibrations that are 1/2 string length - with NO stretch.
When you fret it, you're stretching the string to physically shorten it to 1/2 length but your adding the 'stretch' factor. So I can see matching the full open sting vibration to fretting it at 12th fret ( which lengthens the string just a tiny bit to compensate for stretch ) - but don't quite see how you can get the harmonic to match a stretched string.

Since apparantly the results are not hugely different, now maybe it's a bit academic, but I will try the harmonic as the comparison next guitar to see how it goes.

and as someone said, then I guess you can get to splitting the intervals via tempered tuning to actually better match a particular key.

Re: The Peterson Tuner.
Every time I get together with my guitar buddies, everyone clamors to use Strobe unit. Highly recommended.

I'll note any observations with my next couple of attempts at intonation.

[mellecaster]

+1 on the Peterson....I'm Very Happy w/ mine.