Help! JPXI-6 Intonation issues

[fjk1138]

Hi,

I am have some rather annoying issues adjusting the intonation on the new JPXI that I have. I have recently put 10s on it, added a trem spring, adjusted the neck and action where I like it, and then set the intonation with a strobe tuner.

The other day, it seemed perfect according to the meter, but now when I play on the higher frets it is not in tune with the music I am playing over, despite the meter showing it to be accurate. I'm not hitting the strings real hard, and I am making a conscious effort to not pull the strings out of whack when playing chords either.

Granted, I live in the midwest and the weather has been arctic and will be near 40 deg F by the weekend, but should the intonation be fluctuating that much? I've been keeping the guitar in the case with Planet Waves humidifer packs until I take it out to play, and the room I play it in is in the 35-40% humidity range.

Anyone got any advice here? This is very frustrating. I appreciate anyone's suggestions and help.

Thanks.

 

[beej]

Crazy weather up here as well. If the neck changes a lot you'll get that effect, but if you've tweaked the truss rod to where it was, etc. and you set the intonation correctly, no reason it should be messing with your intonation.

I'd suspect bad strings, myself. Maybe change them and check the intonation again?

 

[FantasyMetal]

I have noticed that I can not get the intonation on any of my JP models to be what I would consider as good as my Y2D. I am currently wondering if I have my bridge setup incorrectly. I noticed on the MM website when they say to set up the JP6 bridge, the top of the bridge is supposed to be parallel to the body. However, I have been keeping the plate of the trem level with the body and I wonder if that is incorrect. I also wonder if the intonation sounds off on a 24 fret guitar since I am used to a 22 fret guitar (though I suspect that wouldn't make really any difference). I am curious to see if you find a solution that I can implement as well.

This issue is most pronounced on my Emerald Green JPXI.

 

[fjk1138]

I am currently wondering if I have my bridge setup incorrectly. I noticed on the MM website when they say to set up the JP6 bridge, the top of the bridge is supposed to be parallel to the body. However, I have been keeping the plate of the trem level with the body and I wonder if that is incorrect.

I'm glad you are bringing this up, because my bridge is perfectly level as well, and the base plate is the same height as the body. I even went so far as to set the intonation a bit higher than what the tuner showed, but then the lower frets didn't sound right.

I am curious - would JP's guitar tech have to adjust all his guitars' intonation before each show? He usually brings a lot, so that would take a lot of time.

EDIT - EB customer service says I need to file the nut for the 10s - did you do this previously to any of your guitars?

 

[FantasyMetal]

I have filed the nuts for .10's on two of them. The ones that came with .10's still would not "take" a correct intonation. The strings are not binding in the nut, so I don't think the nut is the issue.

 

[ksandvik]

Intonation has to do with the distance between the nut and the bridge, if there's a need to fix intonation you need to adjust either end, most likely the bridge distance as the nut is fixed.

Also do any intonation settings with freshly broken strings as old strings might have issues with intonation.

 

[fjk1138]

I have filed the nuts for .10's on two of them. The ones that came with .10's still would not "take" a correct intonation. The strings are not binding in the nut, so I don't think the nut is the issue.

This scares me. The fact that I would have to buy some files doesn't matter to me, but if it doesn't help then I really don't want to waste the money.

How do you compensate for this when you play? Are you just automatically bending the strings to pitch when you land on a given note?

 

[FantasyMetal]

This scares me. The fact that I would have to buy some files doesn't matter to me, but if it doesn't help then I really don't want to waste the money.

How do you compensate for this when you play? Are you just automatically bending the strings to pitch when you land on a given note?

I haven't been playing any of my JP's (except for the baritone, I seem to have the intonation correct on that one) for this reason. I've tried putting new strings on and adjusting the saddles and all that jazz (I've literally tried everything) and I just haven't been able to get it where I'm satisfied with it. However, my Cardinal Red Sparkle JPX-6 just shipped out today and was set up with .10's before it left the dealer, so I'm going to try to match that setup on my other JP's if it seems like the intonation is good.

 

[fjk1138]

I haven't been playing any of my JP's (except for the baritone, I seem to have the intonation correct on that one) for this reason. I've tried putting new strings on and adjusting the saddles and all that jazz (I've literally tried everything) and I just haven't been able to get it where I'm satisfied with it.

When you are checking yours, are you tuning it open/12 fret harmonic and then the 12th fret? If so, are you adjusting based on the initial attack or the sustained note? I was doing it on the sustained note, but I just tried it by hitting quick repeated notes (counting 1,2,3,4, etc) and now the result seems a lot better. 99% of the notes I checked were near perfect on the meter. I am going to let it sit for an hour and try it again to make sure, then try it tomorrow to check again.

 

[beej]

Don't forget to use the same amount of pressure you'd use when actually fretting. It's easy to intonate with a light touch, then have everything be out of tune when you're really gripping the neck.

 

[FantasyMetal]

I have been intonating on the attack. As I said, I will check the setup on my CRS JPX-6 that is coming in today and try to replicate it! Hopefully that will resolve my issues because I seriously love my JP's, I just need them to love me back!

 

[beej]

Good luck. There's no magic to it really- provided the saddles move enough in either direction and you're using new strings, you shouldn't have any problems with intonation with these guitars. Most of the problems I've encountered are string related.

 

[fjk1138]

Yes, I hope it works out for you too FantasyMetal. Mine adjusted OK finally last night, so I am going to try it again tonight to see.

 

[FantasyMetal]

Thanks! Well my wife called and told me my JPX arrived, but I have to wait another two excruciating hours before I can go home and play with it!