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Post by Steelpriest on Apr 28, 2005 3:15:29 GMT -5
Just recently I considered to tune down one of my guitars to "D". It is a regular D, G, C, F, A, D tuning (all strings have been lowered one note). What I found out was surprisingly that I needed to re-adjust the intonation of the guitar. This makes no sense to me... or does it? Or has the improper intonation (that would mean it was not correct before tuning down) just become more obvious with this lowered tuning? I was pretty amazed how wrong the intonation was. D'oh!  Well, everything is okay now, but I still wonder why it was that wrong before... Any comments? By the way: this tuning sounds very fat, only the flabby feel of the strings is somewhat strange, especially when soloing. Steele. |
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Post by mandough on Apr 28, 2005 9:07:51 GMT -5
With the lower string tension, the strings have to streach less to get to a fretted note. The whole deal is that the strings get pulled by the finger to fret a note, say on the 7th fret, and this is why the bridge saddles are compensated in the first place. When you dropped the tension, the strings would be pulled less, and therefore, the note would be a bit flatter, and the intonation has to be adjusted to compensate. This was the case for you, no?; flatter notes up the fret board? BTW, a set of .010-.046 would make most of that tension up and the flabby feel will tighten up...  Any one else care to elaborate what I missed? |
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Post by CAFeathers on Apr 28, 2005 9:29:01 GMT -5
By tuning down you have changed the length of the string ever so slightly thusly changing intonation. Remember that when intonating you are adjusting the length of the string.
It is the same as if you changed the action or set the relief of the neck.
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Post by Steelpriest on Apr 28, 2005 14:05:27 GMT -5
Well, all the notes, especially up the fretboard on higher notes were all too "sharp". The more I think about it it must have to deal with the lowered tension of the neck, so it might have bent back very slightly and thus slightly lengthened the scale... if so it must be obvious that the intonation got out of balance. Oha, and yes... I will put on a heavier gauge tomorrow, and of course set the intonation anew.  Steele. |
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Post by Steelpriest on Apr 29, 2005 22:36:24 GMT -5
Today I strung the guitar with 011 - 050 GHS Boomers, set the intonation again and maybe have to re-adjust it again in a couple of days (always keep in mind that a guitar needs to rest a couple of days often and then requires to be checked thoroughly again). Well, the heavier strings make sense absolutely, the flabby feel is gone and it sounds more powerful now. I´ll keep you updated about this guitar. By the way: The particular guitar is my "unidentified mysterious Explorer", the one with the body of unknown origin and the Ibanez neck. Up to now it is not in the gallery, but somewhere on the forum. I am planning to have it refinished by a pal who is good at air-brushing. As soon as this job is finished the guitar will make in the galleries. ;D I am considering another "hair-rock" design...  |
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Well, everything is okay now, but I still wonder why it was that wrong before... Any comments? By the way: this tuning sounds very fat, only the flabby feel of the strings is somewhat strange, especially when soloing.
