Intonation w/compensated nut

[Toto Head]

I have my new LUKE. After two weeks of steady playing time, I thought it was time to check the intonation.

Now I figured it would be off a little bit, since it has to go through some climate changes and all that stuff.

Are there any special considerations when intonating a guitar with the compensated nut?

On a typical standard nut guitar, the saddles generally follow the pattern
of three somewhat symetrical steps.

But, as I adjusted the intonation, I noticed the saddles started to flatten out, meaning, the step pattern was not as obvious as when I received it.

This got me thinking that there may be a special procedure for adjusting the intonation for a guitar fitted with the compensated nut.

Can anyone fill me in on this?

 

[Colin]

First thing when intonating is to start with fresh strings and a good tuner. Also intonating the guitar in the playing position (ie not flat on a desk). If the guitar is in tune and setup correctly don't be to concerned with the pattern of the saddles.

 

[tommyindelaware]

First thing when intonating is to start with fresh strings and a good tuner. Also intonating the guitar in the playing position (ie not flat on a desk). If the guitar is in tune and setup correctly don't be to concerned with the pattern of the saddles.

+1...
new strings..........& ........ VERY accurate tuner that gives a steady reading are critical.
i too measure in the playing position.
i also lower the pickups almost flush w/ the pickguard so the magnets dont pull the strings......allowing an even more steady reading. ( this is especially helpful w/ single coil pickups.
also only use the bridge pickup when measuring.

 

[Toto Head]

Thanks for the replies guys.

However, the advice you provided is how I currently go about tuuning and intonating a my guitars.

That being said, this is the first guitar I have owned with a compensated nut. So, I am wondering if there is a different way of intonating a guitar with this type of nut.

I remember reading about the Buzz Feiten system, and how there is a special tuner just to use such a system. I think the strings were tuned to more precise frequencies and not the standard way as I know it.

I may be wrong here, I'm not too sure.

I did read that if a guitar is fitted with a compensated nut, the saddles do not to move as much. So, that could be the reason that the saddles on my LUKE are starting to become more in line with each other. But, what concerns me, is that is not how it was set up from the factory. The saddles appeared to be in the same position/pattern as the saddles on my Strat (fitted with a standard nut).

 

[krystal]

Feiten system requires a formula for tuning based on the guage and setup... It's a method of tuning certain strings sharp or flat by cents. Sometimes just one or two, sometimes up to five or seven cents...

The tuner with that partial idea in the calibration was a Korg tuner...and it was calibrated for someone using 10's and standard tuning, so it's not quite as perfect as the setup tuning from the BF installer if you use a different setup.

 

[Colin]

Thanks for the replies guys.

However, the advice you provided is how I currently go about tuuning and intonating a my guitars.

That being said, this is the first guitar I have owned with a compensated nut. So, I am wondering if there is a different way of intonating a guitar with this type of nut.

I remember reading about the Buzz Feiten system, and how there is a special tuner just to use such a system. I think the strings were tuned to more precise frequencies and not the standard way as I know it.

I may be wrong here, I'm not too sure.

I did read that if a guitar is fitted with a compensated nut, the saddles do not to move as much. So, that could be the reason that the saddles on my LUKE are starting to become more in line with each other. But, what concerns me, is that is not how it was set up from the factory. The saddles appeared to be in the same position/pattern as the saddles on my Strat (fitted with a standard nut).

Even if the saddles are different, Is the guitar intonated now? Just continue with the same method you have been using.

 

[jazzbo jim]

There should minimal (if any) changes from the OM specs IF:
a) you are using same guage strings
b) same make strings
c) high quality tuner (strobe)
d) intonating in playing position
e) haven't made ANY alterations to truss rod or saddles

Having said that, compensated nuts necessitate less compensation at the bridge, thus, guitars with comp nuts tend to have saddles which appear less staggered than their non-compenstaed counterparts.

Bottom line:
are you intonated?
if so, ignore the bridge

 

[Toto Head]

No changes have been made to my LUKE.

Yes, it is now intonated.

Just went with the normal method and decided to ignore the "stagger" of the saddles.

 

[jazzbo jim]

excellent!

Now that that's out of the way.....





LET'S SEE SOME PICS !!!!!

 

[Toto Head]

I'll try and post a few tomorrow.