Acoustic Intonation Tips

[GoldFalcon]

My Takamine has developed some severe intonation problems. The intonation had been gradually becoming a problem over the last several months, so I had changed string gauges several times (up and down) trying to find something that worked. With not much in the way of luck there I took it in to get it worked on. I don't think the repairman at my local shop did anything more than adjust the truss rod as when I got it back the B string was still problematic.

I decided to live with it since most acoustics have some sort of problem with the B string and intonation and tuning is basically a compromise.

But last night tore it. I spent a good hour and a half tuning and tweaking trying to get a workable compromise from the G, B, and E strings --all of which now have developed intonation problems over the last week-- to no avail. Tune with a digital tuner and everything is unplayable and sounds like a cat screwing steel wool. Tune by ear is better but if I get it where I can play a really good E Chord then an A Chord makes me feel like someone is injecting a Grace Jones CD into the aural cortex of my brain. If I get those into a slightly workable compromise then the C Chord makes me wretch.

I have read that I might be able to improve things by filling the saddle grooves with super glue and re-cutting them on a backward angle. Has anyone tried this and is it very effective? The saddle has had some work on it to lower the action, could this be the problem? Would I be better off just replacing the saddle and seeing if that fixed the problem? I would simply take it to a good luthier but the last shop I had it in was supposedly the best in my area and the problem remains.

 

[Light]

Well, first of all, if you paid anything for them to set it up, then go back and tell them it is not right. A part of any work that involves setup is to work with the customer after they get it back to fix any problems they may be having. Just don't go back after a month and say, "it ain't right." Or at least, if it is going to be that long, call when you get it back and let them know.

A couple things, some more and some less likely. First of all, B strings are ALWAYS a problem, unless you have a saddle which is compensated at the B string. A new saddle which is compensated as much as possible MAY be the answer, but you are looking at a fair bit of money in that situation.

Look at the back edge of the bridge - is there a gap? Bridges coming loose can cause intonation problems.

Also, any cracks on either side of the fingerboard, and/or has the action been getting worse? Is the Behind the Bridge Bulge (BBB) out of hand? It is normal for there to be some bulge back there, as any guitar without it is over built and will not sound very good, but if you have loose braces, it can be too much. That can cause an intonation problem.

But if the shop you took it to is good, take it back and see if they will help you get things right. Certainly, that is part of the service in MY shop.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[GoldFalcon]

Thanks Light,

I'll take it back in to 'em and see if we can work something out.