Basic Guitar Setup and Intonation Tips
If you purchase a guitar the first thing you need to do is setup intonation of the instrument.
Every guitarist strives to have his guitar in tune at every scale.
There are several factors that contribute to the intonation of the instrument.
The length of the scale, playing styles and techniques, the size of the fret and the gauge of the strings are factors that contribute to the intonation of the instrument.
The intonation of an acoustic guitar will differ from an electric guitar.
Based on the guitar you use there are different factors to consider before you set up intonation.
If you are playing an electric guitar then setting the intonation is the last thing that you need to adjust.
Other aspects like the gauge of the strings and the string height affect the intonation and hence you need to adjust all the external factors initially.
Before you tune the guitar to get the right intonation you must put in a new set of strings and adjust the gauge.
Stretch the strings out before you start tuning your instrument.
Use a good electronic tuner for your electric guitar.
You can check for appropriate intonation at the 12th fret.
When working with an acoustic guitar one needs to look at the following aspects before attempting to tune the guitar.
Check the height of the string.
If it is set to high or it touches the fret board then you will hear a very sharp note.
In order to avoid this you will need to loosen the strings.
The saddle can also hamper the intonation of your instrument.
It is the part of the guitar where the strings meet the fret board.
If this part of the guitar is loose it will lead to a change in the notes every time the saddle moves.
Ensure that you saddle is stationary before you set out to tune the guitar.
Changing the string gauge can have adverse effects on the intonation.
A heavy gauge will exert pressure on your guitar while a light gauge will not exert pressure.
A light gauge will give your instrument the perfect intonation.
Setting up the intonation of your guitar will depend on the type of instrument you are playing.
Every guitarist strives to have his guitar in tune at every scale.
There are several factors that contribute to the intonation of the instrument.
The length of the scale, playing styles and techniques, the size of the fret and the gauge of the strings are factors that contribute to the intonation of the instrument.
The intonation of an acoustic guitar will differ from an electric guitar.
Based on the guitar you use there are different factors to consider before you set up intonation.
If you are playing an electric guitar then setting the intonation is the last thing that you need to adjust.
Other aspects like the gauge of the strings and the string height affect the intonation and hence you need to adjust all the external factors initially.
Before you tune the guitar to get the right intonation you must put in a new set of strings and adjust the gauge.
Stretch the strings out before you start tuning your instrument.
Use a good electronic tuner for your electric guitar.
You can check for appropriate intonation at the 12th fret.
When working with an acoustic guitar one needs to look at the following aspects before attempting to tune the guitar.
Check the height of the string.
If it is set to high or it touches the fret board then you will hear a very sharp note.
In order to avoid this you will need to loosen the strings.
The saddle can also hamper the intonation of your instrument.
It is the part of the guitar where the strings meet the fret board.
If this part of the guitar is loose it will lead to a change in the notes every time the saddle moves.
Ensure that you saddle is stationary before you set out to tune the guitar.
Changing the string gauge can have adverse effects on the intonation.
A heavy gauge will exert pressure on your guitar while a light gauge will not exert pressure.
A light gauge will give your instrument the perfect intonation.
Setting up the intonation of your guitar will depend on the type of instrument you are playing.
