Help!!Intonation/tuning problems...

[deftone_86]

I have a weird problem with my Epiphone SG Vintage. When all the strings are in tune,the low-E and the D-string aren't in tune with each other BUT the low-E and A are in tune with each other. Also A and D are in tune with each other. So when I play a powerchord with the three lower strings it sounds like it's out of tune. And if I raise the tuning of the low-E to the same tune as D then the E is out of tune with the A-string. The gauges are: 050 038 028 018 014 011 (DR-strings). Any suggestions on how to correct this problem? The intonation is perfect on every string. There is some fret buzzing on every string.So maybe the truss rod?

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Help!!Intonation/tuning problems...

Is the buzzing something that you only hear unamplified or is it something that comes through when you play it loud? Some buzzing unamplified is probably normal if you like your action low.

When you went to the bigger strings, did you ever give the rod a tweak?

Are you sure the intonation is perfect?

Is this only a problem near one end of the neck or all up and down it?

When you look down the length of your neck does it twist or bow to one side?

Also, welcome to the board. We'll help you figure it out.

 

[deftone_86]

Re: Help!!Intonation/tuning problems...

The fret buzzing can be heard only unamplified except for some frets above 12th on all strings. I turned the rod maybe one/eight of a turn. The intonation is absolutely perfect on ADGBE. On low-E it's VERY slightly of. In my previous guitar the intonation was worse and problems of this kind didn't occur. I'll answer the last two question after I check them outr once I get home.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: Help!!Intonation/tuning problems...

Either a bad string or your intonation is not correct. Can you define how you are setting intonation?

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Help!!Intonation/tuning problems...

I had an old epiphone LP that no matter what I did, I could not get that low E intonated. I tried several times, even took it to a local tech. No luck so I sold it. It probably wouldn'thave bothered most people, but it ate my lunch each time I played it.

 

[deftone_86]

Re: Help!!Intonation/tuning problems...

Okay...I checked the guitar and the problem is all the way and the neck does twist a bit.

 

[deftone_86]

Re: Help!!Intonation/tuning problems...

Oh!! And the intonation setting question...I play a harmonic note at 12th fret and then the fretted note at 12th and see if they match.

 

[deftone_86]

Re: Help!!Intonation/tuning problems...

Correction!! The intonation is much more of on my guitar's G-string than on the low-E but G still seems to be in tune with the other strings. With 42s the problem didn't exist.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Help!!Intonation/tuning problems...

The problem is this. When you put on the heavier strings, the nut needs to be reslotted, otherwise the new strings don't sit low enough and also get pinched in the slots. Not doing that makes the action high enough to bend sharp when fretted at the 1st and 2nd fret. Pay a tech $20 to reslot the nut, no more. $45, if he does your complete setup, including the nut.

Next, it sounds like the intonation is off, and wasn't reset when you changed gauge.
First, get the string height (action) set so it plays really good.
Tighten the truss rod a bit, so the neck lays a little flatter and eliminates most buzz.
Make sure the open note and 12th fretted notes are perfect on the tuner.
Go back and make sure the notes from the 10 fret to the 20th fret read dead center on the tuner, and make your tiny adjustments. This fine tunes the intonation, so it's as perfect as possible.

If all these steps are followed, the guitar should be playing at it's optimum.

 

[deftone_86]

Re: Help!!Intonation/tuning problems...

Allright!! Thank you for your answers!!