I have a Gibson SG std that I tune to C# std. For some reason I have to tune the low C# a bit flat to get it to sound right. I have the intonation perfect on the guitar. I have tried everything on it. Bigger strings are no help. I have tried adjusting the saddle on the C# to make it flat even but nothing helps. I have other guitars that I tune to C# with the same strings and scale length and I dont have this problem. Is this just a normal thing or do I have a problem guitar?
Intonation problem
- Thread starter XPAULPITT
- Start date
Re: Intonation problem
It's normal to have some tuning discrepancies depending on where on the neck you are playing. Guitars can't be perfectly intonated to play in tune at all positions on the neck. that's just the nature of the beast. Ever hear of "fanned frets" or "compensated nuts"? These are attempts to correct the problem. I make my own compensated nuts and they help alot, but they aren't perfect.
It's normal to have some tuning discrepancies depending on where on the neck you are playing. Guitars can't be perfectly intonated to play in tune at all positions on the neck. that's just the nature of the beast. Ever hear of "fanned frets" or "compensated nuts"? These are attempts to correct the problem. I make my own compensated nuts and they help alot, but they aren't perfect.
Re: Intonation problem
Low tunings and short scale make the problem worse. If you have slack strings you can do some wild bends with little effort. The act then of fretting the note means the pitch change from open string is greater.
One of the reasons baritones and bass guitars are longer scale.
Low tunings and short scale make the problem worse. If you have slack strings you can do some wild bends with little effort. The act then of fretting the note means the pitch change from open string is greater.
One of the reasons baritones and bass guitars are longer scale.
Kramer Guy
New member
Re: Intonation problem
That's why they make Baritone guitars , just for low tunings. When you try a low tuning on a short scale guitar like a SG, you're going to have problems. That's just the nature of the beast. There's nothing wrong with your guitar at all.
That's why they make Baritone guitars , just for low tunings. When you try a low tuning on a short scale guitar like a SG, you're going to have problems. That's just the nature of the beast. There's nothing wrong with your guitar at all.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: Intonation problem
First of all, the only instruments that potentially offer perfect intonation are the fretless strings (e.g. cello or slide guitar), or the slid horns, like trombone – any instrument that requires manual tuning as you play. All frets, valves, keys, etc. entail some tuning compromises, but what you get in return is the ease of automated tuning as you play. It's a compromise that most are happy to make.
That said, IME SGs are a ***** to tune even when in E standard. The necks are like spaghetti due to the high neck joints, and the TOM bridges often don't offer enough travel in the saddles to properly tune even medium gauge strings like 11's. Tuning it way off from normal tension is going to exacerbate the issues.
I say just get as close as you can, and learn to play around it. Anything that will completely cure the issue will also make the guitar untunable if it is ever returned to E standard.
First of all, the only instruments that potentially offer perfect intonation are the fretless strings (e.g. cello or slide guitar), or the slid horns, like trombone – any instrument that requires manual tuning as you play. All frets, valves, keys, etc. entail some tuning compromises, but what you get in return is the ease of automated tuning as you play. It's a compromise that most are happy to make.
That said, IME SGs are a ***** to tune even when in E standard. The necks are like spaghetti due to the high neck joints, and the TOM bridges often don't offer enough travel in the saddles to properly tune even medium gauge strings like 11's. Tuning it way off from normal tension is going to exacerbate the issues.
I say just get as close as you can, and learn to play around it. Anything that will completely cure the issue will also make the guitar untunable if it is ever returned to E standard.
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