Tuning/intonation problem

[erogenousjones17]

Recently I've started tuning my guitar down a half step to Eb, and since then it absolutely will not stay in tune, and even when it is perfectly in tune, chords sound awful because the intonation is way off, even though I've adjusted it several times. What's the deal? My guitar has a crappy trem bridge; could that be the problem? Seems like it always is...

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Tuning/intonation problem

Is that bridge floating?

 

[erogenousjones17]

Re: Tuning/intonation problem

Don't think so; it's sitting flush with the surface of the body, if that helps.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Tuning/intonation problem

Did it stay & tune & sound okay in normal tuning? If so, you may have to go back to that. If not, then the guitar has a problem.

Was anything replaced, like the nut? If the slots are too low or too high, you'll never be able to get the intonation right between open & fretted notes. Is it subject to temp changes that could alter the neck pitch slightly? What kind of guitar? Cheap bridge? Vibrato bar?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Tuning/intonation problem

Did it stay & tune & sound okay in normal tuning? If so, you may have to go back to that.

The only reason he'd have to go back to standard is if he doesn't want to get it setup for the new tuning.

Give us some more info about the guitar.... brand, tuners, bridge, strings, etc....

 

[Dirtyking]

Re: Tuning/intonation problem

Reintonate with NEW strings should do it.

 

[erogenousjones17]

Re: Tuning/intonation problem

Sorry for the delay...computer crapped out for a while. Alright, it's a Jackson JS20, stock tuners, Jackson "fulcrum trem", GHS Boomers (.10s). It more or less stays in tune in standard, as long as I don't use the trem, and the intonation is spooky good for such a cheap guitar. Nothing has been replaced on it (except the bridge humbucker, but that was long before this started). It's always been very fussy about humidity, but it isn't being exposed to any, nor any severe temp/humidity changes. Does that help?

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Tuning/intonation problem

It is possible that the action and string tension is low enough, so when you tune down you are fretting out on the chords. I have some guitars that work well when down tuned, because their action and string tension is enough to not fret out. But others I can't down tune. I would move up one guage and re-intonate.

 

[erogenousjones17]

Re: Tuning/intonation problem

I was gonna try a set of .11s instead, but can you believe I can't find any?

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Tuning/intonation problem

I was gonna try a set of .11s instead, but can you believe I can't find any?

I would think you could tune down with 10's? I have seen people have trouble with 8's or 9's.

 

[erogenousjones17]

Re: Tuning/intonation problem

I don't really want to change the string gauge; I like the feel of the .10s, and I have seen people tune down with them. Not really sure what the problem is here...

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Tuning/intonation problem

Sometimes when you have really low action the arc of the strings vibration gets to big to downtune successfully. The arc of the strings travel is greater than the amount of room, what you end up with is fret out and the chords sound flat and farty.

 

[erogenousjones17]

Re: Tuning/intonation problem

If that were the case, wouldn't there be a lot of extra string buzz though?

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Tuning/intonation problem

The strings are a bit more loose which means it's easier to squeeze a chord out of tune, especially near the nut and especially if you have pretty tall frets. You may need to re-intonate the bridge saddles too.

 

[erogenousjones17]

Re: Tuning/intonation problem

I've tried adjusting the intonation, and it doesn't fix the problem...am I doomed to play in standard tuning?