So, intonation is more about action height that bridge location/slant (assuming the bridge is located per design dimension), is that correct?
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So, intonation is more about action height that bridge location/slant (assuming the bridge is located per design dimension), is that correct?
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Hi James, It is due to the fixed nature of "frets" that makes it hard to get pure intonation everywhere on the fret board. I think its the nature of the beast...the Equal Tempered scale. If you want to learn more do a search on that.
I would have thought that if your 12 fret is half the scale length, with careful harmonic then fretting at the 12 fret, should put intonation spot on. Its when one starts playing that the notes can become less that pure. If the 12th fret position is not spot on it will still intonate pure, but the guitar may play out of tune.
Taff
But since my "playing" is complete crap, how can I tell?
chromatic tuner..lol
a CGB is going to always be a compromise.you can slightly angle the bridge and get the top and bottom strings perfect intonation but the middle will be out. unless you are using a bridge with individual adjustable bridge pieces..
One idea that I had a while ago is using nuts/bolts for the bridge, different bolt sizes would make some action height possible, BUT...
How about using short nuts/bolts (of proper height) as individual bridges and adjusting intonation that way. You're not tied to a hardtail that way...
Hi James, Building on your first idea I devised a way of getting adjustable action at the bridge using bolts, in this case slotted head ones. The threads are threaded into the wooden bridge which can be moved for intonation. Screws go up or down for string height.
Your second suggestion I thought may have trouble keeping the strings spaced in the correct position and individual bolts would need fixing in place, so as not to lose that set up. So I did a mock up just to see what is involved, and......too much work for me, when the bridge shown on the acoustic build of mine intoneates perfectly on all strings, and much easier to achieve I think. Action at the 12th fret is high for slide and fretting. Maybe you had a different way in mind, but this is the first thing I thought of. Both would need refining. A third way would be to have three grooves in which you could put three short lengths if threaded rod, a lot less work.
Thanks for sowing the seed James.
Cool. I hadn't thought about the 'rails' to maintain spacing, but you do have a point. I just remembered seeing a straight slot screw used as a nut (I think) on a CBGitty diddly bow.
Hi James, intonation is all about correct scale length (free vibrating string length) Then small adjustments are made (compensation) due the small changes made in string length by stretching them, and the difference in that streatching due to the strings mass.
Taff
OK. WHat was discouraging me is that I'm very careful with measurements, and open/12th doesn't always hit right on. With Blues Box I have lowered the action height as low as I can get it, added screws to increase a couple break angles (to eliminate buzz) and slanted the bridge. I've got it closer that I' started out with, not perfect, but certainly close enough for me to practice on.