Question Intonation.

[danny-79]

Just having an ask about intonation, changed gauges back and forth a few times recently with minor adjustments an not had a problem, the Flatt wounds that i recently tried are making me ask a few questions, just cant seem to find the sweet spot with them intonation wise, go past the 12th fret an the notes are getting flatter as there fretted not sharper as you would expect tweak intonation it calms down a bit then gradually goes back to how it was ?
I'm taking a break from the flat wounds so just put the regular gage rounds back on it, tuned it up an put it back in its case to let it settle then go over it in the AM when we have both had some sleep.

I set my intonation to (e.g open E = Fretted 12th fret)
Any advice, tips or suggestions on how you do it more than welcome, thanks in advance
Dan.

 

[LightGroove]

Im assuming this has the newer style nut...was under the impression that this resolved many of the intonation issues your describing. In all honesty sounds fairly normal but how drastic is the intonation out? Also how often do you play that high up and who would really notice a minor out of pitch note from time to time? Not many folks .... point being I wouldnt sweat it.

 

[Alex001]

Being two different string designs, I would venture to say that there is a tension difference between the two. A truss rod tweak may possibly be in order.

Other than that, from everything you are saying, it actually sounds like your flats just need to be "broken in". If they are going flat instead of sharp, it sounds like the stings are still stretching out a bit. How long have you had the flats on? How far off is the intonation?

Edit: Before doing any intonation adjustments, I always tune a new set of strings up to pitch and then stretch them - I pull them up (vertically) off the fretboard at the 12th fret until I get a fair amount of resistance (don't go overboard here) and then re-tune. I usually only stretch them one time. Then, I noodle around for a bit to make sure the *open* strings stay in tune. If they go out, I simply re-tune (repeat as necessary). This lets me know that the strings are sufficiently stretched enough to where I can then begin to intonate. (The open strings stay perfectly in tune)

I then intonate using open E = *harmonic* at the 12th fret. I do it for every string, then repeat the process back at the E (or B) again as tuning/intonating the remaining strings can cause the intonation on the previously tweaked strings to drift ever so slightly. I keep repeating until I can zero in.

Also, always make intonation adjustments after checking it in the *playing position*. It can change a smidge from when the bass is lying flat.

 

[oli@bass]

Did you push the strings hard down on the saddles, so that they have a light bend in them? I've experienced intonation problems (also with thicker roundwounds) when not doing this.

Regardings adjustments: I'm probably doing it totally wrong, but I use several harmonics on the strings above and below, and compare them to their fretted notes on the string to be intonated. I try to get them as close as possible to accurate. OTOH, I've only flats on the fretless and there my intonation sucks anyways...

 

[danny-79]

Thanks to all that have given advice on this issue.
Ive got the "issue that i was having sorted out now, it basically came down to me being to picky and spending to much time setting it up.
I went about it by, new set of strings followed by playing them in (never been a fan of using force to "stretch" them in) then setting intonation in the usual fashion 12th fret + harmonic = open string, play it a bit more then repeat the process just to double check then.... "PUT THE TUNER AND SCREWDRIVER AWAY BEFORE YOU DRIVE YOURSELF CRAZY!!"
Job done.