Gibson Les Paul, downtuning, and intonation

[Rex_Rocker]

Anybody else having trouble intonating a downtuned Les Paul?

I currently have both of mine set up in Drop C with 11-56's. I cannot go any lower.

I wanna go to Drop B. I would normally use 12-60's for Drop B since the tension would be similar to 11-56 in Drop C. However, I'm already as far back as the 6th and 3rd string will go with my set on Drop C. Both have got the Nashville bridge, so it's not even one of those narrow ones with less range for intonation.

Both are Gibsons, FWIW, so both are slightly shorter than 24.75", FWIW.

Other than outright changing the bridge, do you guys have any tips for downtuning a Les Paul?

 

[Chris Pile]

The shorter the scale length, the harder it is to get intonation correct.

That is why longer scale lengths work better for lower pitched strings.

Can't fight physics.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Not saying what you're saying is wrong, but there are examples of Les Pauls going lower than Drop C. Carcass comes to mind. So there's got to be a way, right?

 

[Elmore]

Perhaps top wrap is worth a try.

 

[Sam SG]

I had to flip the G saddle backwards on one of my SGs to intonate it.
Just back the screw out past the keeper flip and screw back in.
BUT i have had on two occasions since tge saddle was not anchored by tge keeper and all of a sudden the intonation svrew was sticking out cause the saddle moved. But that hasnt happened in a long tine so maybe I just didnt have it all the way locked in. But something to be aware of.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I had to flip the G saddle backwards on one of my SGs to intonate it.
Just back the screw out past the keeper flip and screw back in.
BUT i have had on two occasions since tge saddle was not anchored by tge keeper and all of a sudden the intonation svrew was sticking out cause the saddle moved. But that hasnt happened in a long tine so maybe I just didnt have it all the way locked in. But something to be aware of.

Already done that. The saddles on my 4 bottom strings are already flipped. That gave me enough room for Drop C with 11's, but not for Drop B with 12's.

 

[Mincer]

Is it possible just to get a new bridge that will allow it?

 

[Coma]

Huh. I have my LP set up with 12 - 56, tuned to C. I don't think any of the saddles are bottomed out. Maybe I just suck at intonating.

 

[Chistopher]

How far off is it currently?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

How far off is it currently?

A little. Not much.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Huh. I have my LP set up with 12 - 56, tuned to C. I don't think any of the saddles are bottomed out. Maybe I just suck at intonating.

Really? Both of mine are.

 

[Coma]

Really? Both of mine are.

I'm gonna take a shot in the dark and assume that you use a proper tuner and not the one built into Bias FX to intonate yours. Not that I would ever do such a thing, of course! How utterly preposterous....

 

[GuitarStv]

Stupid question, but you tried unscrewing and flipping the direction of the saddles you're having trouble tuning, right? This will get you another couple mm of adjustment room usually. It's more necessary with an ABR, but no reason it can't also be used for a Nashville bridge.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Stupid question, but you tried unscrewing and flipping the direction of the saddles you're having trouble tuning, right? This will get you another couple mm of adjustment room usually. It's more necessary with an ABR, but no reason it can't also be used for a Nashville bridge.

I did, yes.

 

[Coma]

Really? Both of mine are.

 

[80's_Metal]

I have/had all of my Gibby Pauls ( 7 of them? ) in Drop-B with the EB skinny top heavy or beefy bottom and never any issues with intonation or tuning.

Do you top wrap? Does it make it better or worse?

I had to top wrap 1 or 2 of mine because the string angle was touching the back of the bridge and causing slight issues.

Now .... I've also upgraded nearly every single set of tuners because I generally despise the kluson deluxe things Gibson uses. They don't hold tune for crap!

Maybe I've just been lucky with mine? (Also my V's and Explorer)

Ymmv

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Yeah, I don't have problem with tuning stability, even with the stock Gibson Deluxe tuners. I've also had locking Gotohs when I had black hardware on my Tribute, and they were good, but they weren't any better or worse. They were heavier, though.

I don't top wrap, but does that do anything for intonation? Maybe I ought to try.

 

[GuitarStv]

I don't top wrap, but does that do anything for intonation?

I don't understand how it could have an impact on intonation . . . you're not changing the distance between the bridge and the nut. But what the hell, I'd give it a try just out of curiosity.

 

[80's_Metal]

I don't understand how it could have an impact on intonation . . . you're not changing the distance between the bridge and the nut. But what the hell, I'd give it a try just out of curiosity.

I have found that If your strings are actually touching the backside of the bridge(which probably doesn't happen all that often) it can give sort of a false reading, or even change intonation a little bit, especially with different string gauges. It's not a lot, but it can be a problem "sometimes".

If you top wrap, there can be a lesser angle off the backside of the bridge that (can) help a little bit on "some" guitars or setups. At least in my experience.

I have had pretty good luck with top wrapping strings even though I poo-poo-d the idea at first. I tend to top wrap everything now.

I could be way off base, but it's just an idea that may help a little bit... Maybe.