Intonation problems

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Intonation problems

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ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

Intonation problems

Im having an intonation issue with my classical guitar.

It was fine when i bought it, and for the last year or so, and now the B string is going sharp. I took it and got
it compensated several times, but it keeps going sharp. The saddle has no room
to go any further back. Its actually well behind the slot at this point, and
still coming up sharp.
I havent changed string brands. Im using Saverez Alliance.
The guitar is totally baby'd. Its never left the house, and stays
in a Humicase unless im playing it. Obviously, no humidity changes either.
I go out of my way to make the environment constant.

So ,, now what?? The thing just wont tune up. IVe tried everything.
Do i try to sell it to somebody with bad ears or what?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 16 2006 2:40:47

ykabban

Posts: 251
Joined: Jan. 11 2006

RE: Intonation problems (in reply to ToddK)

That blows. Try to get a hold of some high quality measuring tools, and start measuring away if you haven't already. Don't put total faith in the luthier who worked on it, anyone can make mistakes. I haven't seen this problem in my guitars, but a friend's guitar had a similar problem. We decided that the neck was the root cause. The neck would actually flex. Also, some guitars force you to change string brands because of these types of issues.

Your neck maybe flexing back, and it's just more apparent in the B string. If everything measures up, I would start with an uncompensated saddle, and take it from there. Even if it's resolved I would still sell it, but that's just me. If it's the same guitar you got from GSI, don't they have some kind of return deal?

I hate problems like this, makes me want to take the guitar to the range and put a blindfold over the headstock. I can feel your frustration, good luck.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 16 2006 15:30:31

ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

RE: Intonation problems (in reply to ToddK)

Thanks for the words Yak. You're right, im gonna go to a different
luthier, and start a Nut and Saddle from scratch.

I'll figure it out, if it f'ing kills me!!!!!

I know exactly what you mean, about the firing range

I came pretty close to doing a Pete Townshend with it last night.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 16 2006 18:19:47

Ricardo

Posts: 14801
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Intonation problems (in reply to ToddK)

Man, I hope you at least TRIED a different string brand first, with the same result. I assume you did and it did not help before you messed with the saddle, and stuck with your favorite strings. I think it is weird that the intonation problem is only one string. If it were the neck, I think you would notice the problem in a certain fret area, not a certain string. It really sounds like the string is not good to me. I used to use Savarez reds. Every once in a while I would get several sets in a group that had bad D strings. Sometimes the E string would snap sitting in the case. But no brand is perfect.

Ricardo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 17 2006 5:25:13

duende

Posts: 3053
Joined: Dec. 15 2003
From: Sweden

RE: Intonation problems (in reply to ToddK)

i had a intonation problem with my G string on my Anders guitar but when when i changed the strings it all got in perfect tune.. So it was a bad G string and not the guitar it self.

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This is hard stuff!
Don't give up...
And don't make it a race.
Enjoy the ray of sunshine that comes with every new step in knowledge.

RON

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 17 2006 6:44:35

Per Hallgren

Posts: 241
Joined: Jul. 1 2006
From: Sweden

RE: Intonation problems (in reply to ToddK)

I once had a customer complaining that his b-string was sharp. It was an Savarez Alliance. To prove to him that it was not my guitar that had changed I put on a new Alliance, and that was flat! I think Savarez Alliance strings are notorious in being inconstisten. Worse than any other brand I know of which is a pity since I like their power and sustain.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 18 2006 6:07:50