Have you ever tuned your guitar meticulously, only to find that chords higher up the neck sound off? This frustrating issue often points to a problem with your guitar’s intonation. Intonation is what ensures your guitar plays in tune across the entire fretboard, not just on open strings. Learning How To Intonate A Guitar is a crucial skill for any guitar player, allowing you to maintain your instrument and achieve accurate tuning at every fret.
Understanding Guitar Intonation
Simply put, intonation refers to your guitar’s ability to play in tune with itself. When a guitar is properly intonated, the relationship between the open string and every fretted note is accurate. If your intonation is off, you’ll notice that while your open strings might be perfectly in tune, notes higher up the neck, especially around the 12th fret and beyond, will sound sharp or flat. This can be subtle, but even minor discrepancies can be irritating and negatively impact your playing experience.
Why does intonation drift out of adjustment? Guitars are sensitive instruments affected by various factors. Changes in humidity and temperature, the natural settling of the wood, and even the simple act of changing string gauges can all throw off your intonation. Regular adjustments are a normal part of guitar maintenance, much like tuning your strings before each playing session. In fact, intonation adjustment is a key component of a professional guitar setup, a comprehensive service that ensures your guitar plays at its absolute best.
Luckily, most guitars are designed with adjustable bridges specifically to address intonation issues. Intonating a guitar involves fine-tuning the length of each string, which is achieved by adjusting the saddles located on the bridge. These saddles can be moved forward or backward, effectively lengthening or shortening the vibrating portion of the string between the nut and the bridge.
If a string is correctly intonated, the note played at the 12th fret should be exactly one octave higher than the open string, and the 12th-fret harmonic should also match this pitch. This “in-tune with itself” state is the goal of the intonation process.
However, if there’s a difference in pitch between the fretted 12th-fret note and the 12th-fret harmonic, adjustment is needed. This discrepancy will manifest as the fretted note being either sharper or flatter than the harmonic, guiding you on how to adjust the saddle.
If the fretted 12th-fret note is sharper than the 12th-fret harmonic, the string is effectively too short. To correct this, you need to lengthen the string by moving the bridge saddle away from the nut.
Conversely, if the fretted 12th-fret note is flatter than the 12th-fret harmonic, the string is too long. You’ll need to shorten the string by moving the bridge saddle towards the nut. Subtle adjustments are key, and you’ll want to re-check your tuning after each small saddle movement.
While bridge designs vary across different guitar models, the fundamental principle of adjustable saddles for intonation remains consistent, typically utilizing screws that can be turned with a small screwdriver.
Tools You’ll Need to Intonate Your Guitar
Before you begin, gather these essential tools:
- Electronic Tuner: A highly accurate electronic tuner is crucial for precise intonation. A chromatic tuner is ideal as it recognizes all notes. Pedal tuners, clip-on tuners, or even tuner apps on your smartphone will work.
- Screwdriver: You’ll need a screwdriver that fits the saddle adjustment screws on your guitar’s bridge. Typically, this is a small Phillips head or flathead screwdriver. Check your guitar’s manual or visually inspect the bridge screws to determine the correct type.
- String Winder (Optional): While not essential, a string winder can speed up the process of loosening and tightening strings, especially if you need to make significant saddle adjustments.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Intonate Your Guitar
Follow these steps to intonate your guitar effectively:
Step 1: Tune Your Guitar
Begin by tuning your guitar to standard tuning (E A D G B e) or your preferred tuning. Ensure your open strings are perfectly in tune before proceeding with intonation adjustments. Fresh strings are recommended for the most accurate intonation, as old strings can have inconsistent tension and affect the outcome.
Step 2: Check Intonation at the 12th Fret
For each string, starting with the low E string:
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Play the 12th-fret harmonic. This is done by lightly touching the string directly over the 12th fret and picking the string. The harmonic should ring out clearly when you remove your finger immediately after picking.
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Fret the same string at the 12th fret and play the note.
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Using your electronic tuner, compare the pitch of the 12th-fret harmonic to the fretted 12th-fret note. Ideally, they should be exactly the same.
- Sharp: If the fretted 12th-fret note is sharper (higher in pitch) than the 12th-fret harmonic, the string is too short.
- Flat: If the fretted 12th-fret note is flatter (lower in pitch) than the 12th-fret harmonic, the string is too long.
- In Tune: If both pitches match, the intonation for that string is already correct, and you can move on to the next string.
Step 3: Adjusting the Saddles
Based on your findings in Step 2, adjust the bridge saddle for each string as follows:
- If Sharp: To lengthen the string, turn the saddle adjustment screw to move the saddle away from the nut (towards the tailpiece or back of the guitar). Make small adjustments, usually only a fraction of a turn at a time.
- If Flat: To shorten the string, turn the saddle adjustment screw to move the saddle towards the nut (towards the headstock of the guitar). Again, make small, incremental adjustments.
Tune the open string back to pitch after each saddle adjustment before re-checking the intonation at the 12th fret.
Step 4: Re-Check and Fine-Tune
After making saddle adjustments, repeat Steps 2 and 3 for each string. It’s an iterative process. You may need to go back and forth between checking the 12th fret and adjusting the saddle multiple times for each string until the fretted 12th-fret note and the 12th-fret harmonic are as closely matched as possible.
Be patient and make small adjustments. Intonation is about fine-tuning, and rushing the process can lead to frustration. Once you’ve intonated all six strings, play chords and scales across the fretboard to ensure everything sounds in tune. You may need to make minor tweaks even after the 12th-fret checks to achieve optimal results across the entire neck.
Pro Tips for Accurate Intonation
- Use a Reliable Tuner: Accuracy is paramount. Ensure your tuner is properly calibrated and provides precise readings.
- Change Strings When Needed: Old or worn strings can compromise intonation. If your strings are past their prime, replace them before intonating.
- Check Intonation Periodically: Environmental changes and regular playing can cause intonation to drift over time. Make it a habit to check your intonation every few months or with string changes.
- Consider String Gauge: If you switch to a significantly different string gauge, you may need to readjust your intonation, and potentially your truss rod and action as well.
Conclusion
Intonating your guitar might seem daunting at first, but it’s a straightforward process that significantly impacts your instrument’s playability and sound. By understanding the principles of intonation and following these step-by-step instructions, you can ensure your guitar is in tune across the fretboard, making your practice and performances more enjoyable. Take the time to learn this essential skill, and you’ll be rewarded with a guitar that plays and sounds its best.
