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Posted by: Fran Apr 8 2008, 09:51 PM

Hi

I've been wondering lately, why is it advised to put a new set of strings to adjust intonation of the guitar?

When you put a new set of strings they tend to go out of tune easily, specially just after re-stringing... why choose that moment to adjust intonation? Wouldn't it be easier doing it with a used set of strings that are in tune already?

I'm sure there must be a reason for having to put a new set of strings, but I don't know why!, any information on the matter much appreciated!

Oh, and another doubt: I guess that once the intonation is adjusted for a certain string gauge, there should be no need to re-adjust it each time you re-string, as long as you keep using the same gauge, is that correct?

Posted by: Hisham Apr 8 2008, 10:02 PM

you dont need a new strings to adjust intonation just you can do it at the old but to adjust it and to sure from the same strings size .for example if your old strings .09 so you have to restring it after adjusting with .09

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Apr 8 2008, 11:06 PM

As Hisham says, there is no absolute reason to use new strings, especially if you keep the gauge the same, sometimes though worn strings throw the intonation out on their own, so to get around this possible cause of bad intonation, the advice is to change to new strings, or you might just compensate for the old strings and have a problem later when you restring to new correct strings - then the intonation will be wrong for those too.

Posted by: Fran Apr 8 2008, 11:59 PM

Ok! I'll do it with new strings then, just in case

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Apr 9 2008, 09:13 PM

New strings are recommended because they are IN TUNE. Yes they do tend to go out of tune due to stretching, but not that fast You must tune it to pitch, pick a string couple of times just to make sure it is in tune and then fret it on the 12th fret. It will not go out of tune while you transfer your finger to the 12 fret

Posted by: Bogdan Apr 10 2008, 12:43 AM

Well its often recommended to check the intonation and possibly fix it WHEN you put on new strings

Posted by: Fran Apr 10 2008, 10:01 PM

I finally did it with new strings, took me a while to search the correct intonation with my screwdriver and the tune-o-matic on my SG!, first time I tried doing it myself.

I did it using a digital tuner, and in the end I couldn't leave all strings perfect, there's a couple of them in which there is no way that the tuner is exactly the same in open string and 12th fret. It's just a very tiny bit, but I couldn't manage to tune them no matter what I did with the bridge... I hope it's not that bad! (Sound OK to me!, I only know it because I use the digital tuner)

Posted by: audiopaal Apr 14 2008, 12:32 PM

Great thread, I learned a few things here

Thanks guys!



edit: typo.

Posted by: MickeM Apr 14 2008, 12:44 PM

QUOTE (audiopaal @ Apr 14 2008, 01:32 PM)

Posted by: at lights end Apr 14 2008, 12:50 PM

QUOTE (MickeM @ Apr 14 2008, 11:44 AM)

*bing* got a brilliant idea for a band name! Typo Negative
I'm not going to use it myself so anyone just grab it. ...if you get sued just change it into Typo Positive

Posted by: MickeM Apr 14 2008, 12:56 PM

QUOTE (at lights end @ Apr 14 2008, 01:50 PM)

did you come up with that knowing the existence of these guys?
http://www.myspace.com/typeonegative

edit: oh yeah, i just re-read the bit about getting sued. ignore this post.

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Apr 14 2008, 06:31 PM

QUOTE (Fran @ Apr 10 2008, 11:01 PM)

Posted by: Fran Apr 14 2008, 07:11 PM

Yup, I'm glad I did iy, saved me a trip to my local store

besides it seems with a few days more the strings have "settled" a bit, and now it's just one string that is just one mark of the tuner down at the 12th fret, but you can't really tell by ear. Guess it's not bad for an epiphone SG copy