Wiktor Wise
Setting the intonation on an electric bass is a meticulous but essential procedure. When an instrument is properly intonated, all the open strings and every note on the fretboard sound at their correct pitches. To check if your bass is correctly intonated, play an open string and then play the same string at the 12th fret. If the note at the 12th fret is out of tune, the intonation requires adjustment. This is done by moving the bridge saddle closer or farther from the nut, thereby lengthening or shortening the string.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to set intonation | When the bass is out of tune with itself, especially when playing up the neck |
| How to check intonation | Compare the pitches of an open string and the twelfth fret |
| If the fretted note is sharp | Move the bridge saddle away from the nut |
| If the fretted note is flat | Move the bridge saddle towards the nut |
| Adjusting the string length | Use a flathead screwdriver to adjust the string length |
| Setting the scale length | Measure the distance from the inside (fret side) of the nut to the crown of the 12th fret |
| Setting the intonation | Set the outside strings first, then check the middle strings and tweak as needed |
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What You'll Learn
Checking intonation with an electronic tuner
Next, play an open string and then play the same string at the 12th fret. If the note at the 12th fret is out of tune, you will need to adjust your intonation. When intonation is set, the string length is adjusted by moving the saddle closer or farther from the bridge. If the note at the 12th fret is sharp, the string length from the nut to the bridge needs to be increased. If it is flat, the string length needs to be decreased.
After adjusting the string length, play the harmonic to verify that the string is in tune. Then, fret the string at the 12th fret and play the note. Observe whether this note is in tune, sharp, or flat. If it is out of tune, repeat the process of adjusting the string length until the open string and the 12th fret are both in tune. This process will need to be done for each string.
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Adjusting the string length
Step 1: Understand the Basics
Start by understanding the concept of intonation. When your bass is properly intonated, all the open strings and every note on the fretboard should sound at their correct pitches. If a fretted note is sharp, it means the string length from the nut to the bridge needs to be increased. Conversely, if the fretted note is flat, the string length needs to be decreased.
Step 2: Set the Scale Length
First, set the scale length for the G string. If you have a full-size 34" scale bass, measure the distance from the inside (fret side) of the nut to the crown of the 12th fret, which should be 17". Then, adjust the distance from the 12th fret crown to the point where the string crosses the bridge saddle to match, also 17".
Step 3: Compare Pitches
Now, you'll compare the pitches of the open string and the fretted string at the 12th fret. Play the open string and then fret the same string at the 12th fret. Listen carefully to determine if the fretted note is in tune, sharp, or flat compared to the open string.
Step 4: Adjust the Saddle
Based on your observation in Step 3, you'll adjust the saddle to fine-tune the string length. If the fretted note is sharp, move the saddle away from the nut and towards the bridge to increase the string length. If the fretted note is flat, move the saddle towards the nut and away from the bridge to decrease the string length. Make minor adjustments of about a quarter turn at a time until you get a feel for how much the saddle needs to move to affect the tuning.
Step 5: Repeat for Each String
Repeat the process of comparing pitches and adjusting the saddle for each of the remaining strings. For a 4-string bass, you'll typically set the outside strings first and then check the middle strings before making any final tweaks to balance the intonation across all strings.
Step 6: Final Verification
Once you've adjusted the intonation for all strings, it's a good idea to verify your work. Play the harmonic at the 12th fret for each string and then fret the string to check if the note is still in tune. If any string is out of tune, repeat the adjustment process for that specific string.
Remember, adjusting intonation can be meticulous and time-consuming, but it's worth it to ensure your electric bass sounds its best.
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Setting the intonation of the outside strings
Firstly, you should set the scale length, but only on the G string. If your bass is full-size 34”, measure the distance from the inside (fret side) of the nut to the crown of the 12th fret. This should be 17”. Then, measure from the 12th fret crown to the point where the string crosses the bridge saddle and adjust that to 17”.
Now, you can tune the string and intonate by checking the 12th-fret harmonic, which should also be in tune. Then, check the tuning by fretting the 12th fret – this should be the same as the harmonic. If the note at the 12th fret is out of tune from the open note, you need to adjust the intonation.
If the fretted 12th-fret note is sharper than the 12th-fret harmonic, the string must be slightly lengthened until both pitches are in tune. That is, the bridge saddle must be moved farther from the nut until both pitches are correct. If the fretted 12th-fret note is flatter than the 12th-fret harmonic, the string must be slightly shortened until both pitches are in tune. That is, the bridge saddle must be moved toward the nut until both tunings read correctly.
After you’ve set the intonation on the outside strings, you can check the middle strings and tweak things a little to ‘balance up’ the intonation so that no one string is too far out.
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Fine-tuning the middle strings
First, check the intonation of the middle strings. Play the open string and then play the same string at the 12th fret. Compare the pitches of these two notes. Remember to play with a soft-to-medium attack for a more precise reading. If the fretted note at the 12th fret is perfectly in tune with the open string, no adjustment is needed. However, if the note is slightly sharp or flat, you will need to make some adjustments to correct the intonation.
To adjust the intonation, you will need to access the saddle adjustment screws, usually located at the rear of the bridge but sometimes at the front. If the fretted 12th-fret note is sharper than the open string, you will need to lengthen the string slightly. This is done by moving the bridge saddle farther away from the nut. On the other hand, if the fretted 12th-fret note is flatter, you will need to shorten the string by moving the bridge saddle closer to the nut. Make minor adjustments of about a quarter turn at a time until you get a feel for how much the saddle needs to move to affect the tuning.
After making your adjustments, retune the string to pitch and check your work. Play the open string and then fret the string at the 12th fret again, comparing the two pitches. Repeat this process for all the middle strings, making adjustments as needed. This process ensures that all the middle strings are properly intonated and in tune with each other.
Finally, it is important to note that the exact process may vary slightly depending on the specific model of your electric bass. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions or seek guidance from a professional if you are unsure about any steps.
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Using a flathead screwdriver to adjust the string length
Adjusting the intonation on your bass is the final step in the process of setting up a bass. It is important for assuring that your instrument produces accurate tones.
To adjust the string length, you will need to use a flathead screwdriver. This will allow you to adjust the saddle, which will correct the bass string intonation. If the fretted note is flat, adjust the saddle towards the neck. If the fretted note is sharp, adjust the saddle back towards the bridge.
You can access the saddle adjustment screws from the rear or front of the bridge. The chunkiness of bass hardware compared to a guitar makes the job a little easier.
When intonation is set, the string length is adjusted by moving the saddle closer or farther from the bridge. A properly intonated guitar will improve the pitch accuracy over the entire fretboard.
To check the intonation, play an open string and then play the same string at the 12th fret. If the note at the 12th fret is out of tune from the open note, you will need to adjust the intonation.
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Frequently asked questions
Intonation is when all the fretted notes are correct and the open strings and every note on the fretboard sound at their correct pitches.
If your bass is still sounding out of tune after you've tuned the open strings, the intonation is off. Play an open string and then play the same string at the 12th fret. If the note at the 12th fret is out of tune, then you need to adjust the intonation.
First, set the scale length on the G string. If your bass is full size 34” scale, measure the distance from the inside (fret side) of the nut to the crown of the 12th fret. That should be 17”. Then, measure from the 12th fret crown to the point where the string crosses the bridge saddle and adjust that to 17”. Tune the string and intonate by checking the 12th fret harmonic, which should also be in tune.
If the fretted note is flat, adjust the saddle towards the neck. If the fretted note is sharp, adjust the saddle back towards the bridge.
Intonating a bass can be meticulous and time-consuming, but the basic principles are simple. Make sure your bass is in the playing position when checking intonation and tuning.
