EB FAQ setup question/help

[LowDownDave]

Just a quick question. I was attempting to set up my new Sterling with the setup FAQ from the EB website which I used successfully to set up my Stingray, but for some reason I had a lot of problems with intonation.

The EB FAQ states if the fretted note is SHARP, give the saddle screw a COUNTERclockwise turn, which actually moves the saddle TOWARDS the nut, yet in other setup faqs I've read, it states with a sharp fretted note one should move the saddle AWAY from the nut, which I believe would require a CLOCKWISE turn on the Sterling saddle screw. When I was sharp, I used the CCW turn, and yet I didn't seem to be improving the intonation, and was occasionally making it worse. Is the EB FAQ incorrect?

If someone could confirm which one is correct, that would be much appreciated!

 

[dlloyd]

Just a quick question. I was attempting to set up my new Sterling with the setup FAQ from the EB website which I used successfully to set up my Stingray, but for some reason I had a lot of problems with intonation.

The EB FAQ states if the fretted note is SHARP, give the saddle screw a COUNTERclockwise turn, which actually moves the saddle TOWARDS the nut, yet in other setup faqs I've read, it states with a sharp fretted note one should move the saddle AWAY from the nut, which I believe would require a CLOCKWISE turn on the Sterling saddle screw. When I was sharp, I used the CCW turn, and yet I didn't seem to be improving the intonation, and was occasionally making it worse. Is the EB FAQ incorrect?

It depends which way you're facing.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Tune to pitch.

Looking from the bridge towards the headstock:

If the string is sharp at the 12th, the string is too short. The saddle has to be moved back towards the tail of the bridge. Rotate the driver clockwise.

If the string is flat at the 12th, the string is too long. The saddle has to be moved forwards in the direction of the headstock. Rotate the driver counter clockwise. You may have to use a little pressure on the end of the driver to move the saddle into position after you've rotated the screw.

Remember to re-tune the string to pitch after each adjustment before checking the result on your tuner.

 

[LowDownDave]

It depends which way you're facing.

I don't think the turning of a screw either CW or CCW can change depending on which way you are facing. One would assume you are facing the screw!

So I believe Rod is correct and the EB faq with regards to intonation adjustment is backwards (or perhaps the information is "counterclockwise", depending on which way you are facing)!

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

LDD

Can you copy and paste the exact text you're referring to in the FAQ

 

[dlloyd]

I don't think the turning of a screw either CW or CCW can change depending on which way you are facing. One would assume you are facing the screw!

I was half joking, half thinking in terms of making adjustments like I do, with the bass in a playing position, where you're looking towards the saddle side of the bridge. If you do this, a CW turn becomes CCW and vice-versa.

I'm sure there was a reason for doing this, something to do with tuning differences when the bass is laid flat and gravity's working on the neck, adding tension to the string, lowering the action etc.

Logically, it makes sense, but whether it actually makes any noticable difference is another matter.

It's probably nonsense.

 

[LowDownDave]

Rod, here's the text from the FAQ:

Q: How do I set up my Music Man bass?

For intonation: Check the harmonics to the fretted note on the 12th note on the twelfth fret if you don't play much above that fret. If you do, also check the harmonics at the 19th fret after the 12th fret is set.

*If the fretted note is sharp, you need to make the string longer by turning the saddle screw counterclockwise, and vice versa. *
Make sure that the string are coming off of the saddle straight and not in an arch. All measurements must be rechecked after each adjustment.

So the FAQ says adjustments from SHARP should be CCW turns of the saddle screw, but that moves the saddles towards the neck and I believe this is wrong, and you have stated the opposite in your text that adjustments from SHARP need to move the saddles away from the neck requiring a CW turn of the saddle screw.

And yes Dave, I did figure you were "half-joking", even though I can see your point about the directions being reversed when facing the tip of the screw, I'm pretty sure when following screwing directions (no jokes please) CCW and CW refers to the directions of turning the screw facing the head of the screw. Perhaps not, if directions are in French?

 

[dlloyd]

And yes Dave, I did figure you were "half-joking"

Maybe two thirds.

I'm pretty sure when following screwing directions (no jokes please) CCW and CW refers to the directions of turning the screw facing the head of the screw.

Probably.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>>>*If the fretted note is sharp, you need to make the string longer by turning the saddle screw counterclockwise, and vice versa. *

All due respects to the FAQ people but the text, I've underlined, is patently dead wrong. That makes the string shorter and sharper.

In fairness though, it's very easy to make a mistake when trying to describe.

( hope I made no mistakes )

 

[LowDownDave]

Whoo-hoo! Cheers for the confirmation Rod! I was having a helluva bad time trying to sort out the new/used bass last night, and was hoping to show it off at my rehearsal, but just couldn't get it sorted in time (luckily the trusty Stingray was available for the job).

Don't know how the Stingray setup went so well, seeing as I used the incorrect printout of the FAQ which I followed previously (and last night) and for some strange reason did not have a problem then. Maybe the intonation was already good-to-go, but I'm sure I made adjustments.

I'll have another go tonight with the Sterling and hopefully everything will go (more) smoothly. Was really scratching my head over this and was starting to get worried there could be a fault. By following the FAQ instructions I had turned the saddle screw CCW to the point where the saddle actually came off, and the intonation was still out of whack which was really freaking me out (thought I'd bought a lemon Sterling).

Hopefully the FAQ people will be contacted so corrections can be made to prevent such frustrations in the future.

 

[strummer]

I had turned the saddle screw CCW to the point where the saddle actually came off

I'd have started crying right at that point.