So I'm thinking of putting a wound third string on my Ibanez art100( les paul copy) because i cannot get the intonation saddle far back enough to get the intonation correct with heavy gauge strings. I really like using 11-56 Daddario strings but i cannot get the third string to intonate with the other strings. Would a wound third help me or should i just tune flat or something? thanks
Wound G = Better intonation?
- Thread starter Big D
- Start date
TimmyPage
New member
Re: Wound G = Better intonation?
The unwound G string is kind of a mess.
A wound G definitely does have better intonation, and the string tension is significantly better matched to the rest of the strings (wheras most unwound G strings have this wonky issue of feeling really loose in comparison to the rest of the strings). The only thing you really lose is the bendability of the string. I think the G string was never meant to be an unwound string, but popular music in the last 50-60 years has made it the standard.
It might be an issue with the saddle itself, and you might even have to change the action a little bit to help the intonation sit better, but trying out a wound G never hurts.
The unwound G string is kind of a mess.
A wound G definitely does have better intonation, and the string tension is significantly better matched to the rest of the strings (wheras most unwound G strings have this wonky issue of feeling really loose in comparison to the rest of the strings). The only thing you really lose is the bendability of the string. I think the G string was never meant to be an unwound string, but popular music in the last 50-60 years has made it the standard.
It might be an issue with the saddle itself, and you might even have to change the action a little bit to help the intonation sit better, but trying out a wound G never hurts.
CTN
The Drama Dude
Re: Wound G = Better intonation?
Funny. I used to have extreme intonation problems with thick strings (usually 11-54 or 11-56) and standard D tuning (ie all strings 1 whole step down) on my old ibanez.
A wound G fixes it quite easily (you do have to redo the intonation on the saddle though).
Funny. I used to have extreme intonation problems with thick strings (usually 11-54 or 11-56) and standard D tuning (ie all strings 1 whole step down) on my old ibanez.
A wound G fixes it quite easily (you do have to redo the intonation on the saddle though).
Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
Re: Wound G = Better intonation?
You're supposed to flip the saddle on TOM bridges, most commonly on the G string, if you can't move it far back enough.
You're supposed to flip the saddle on TOM bridges, most commonly on the G string, if you can't move it far back enough.
Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
Re: Wound G = Better intonation?
The wound G does do wonders for E major chords, but I can't get over the bending issue. I used to play 12's and 13's in Eb and wound G strings, no problem, but I wanted to have fun and go to the opposite end of the spectrum and use 8's. Light strings are just so fun to play, but 12's and 13's kept other people from playing my guitars (which I admit was awesome, haha).
The wound G does do wonders for E major chords, but I can't get over the bending issue. I used to play 12's and 13's in Eb and wound G strings, no problem, but I wanted to have fun and go to the opposite end of the spectrum and use 8's. Light strings are just so fun to play, but 12's and 13's kept other people from playing my guitars (which I admit was awesome, haha).
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Wound G = Better intonation?
+1. That's what I do on all my guitars, even before I check the intonation, so that I have a little extra travel for the saddle in case I need it. If I don't need it then, I may need it later as the neck changes with seasonality.
+1. That's what I do on all my guitars, even before I check the intonation, so that I have a little extra travel for the saddle in case I need it. If I don't need it then, I may need it later as the neck changes with seasonality.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
Re: Wound G = Better intonation?
I played .11s with a wound G for several years. They do intonate better than the plain strings, and they seem to sound better when playing chords to my ears. Bends were uncomfortable though, enough that I ended up reverting to the unwound G and dealing with the intonation stuff.
I played .11s with a wound G for several years. They do intonate better than the plain strings, and they seem to sound better when playing chords to my ears. Bends were uncomfortable though, enough that I ended up reverting to the unwound G and dealing with the intonation stuff.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Wound G = Better intonation?
Just to echo the comments above...
I'm not so sure that a wound G intimates better, but it certainly makes it easier to play in tune. The wound string and its associated tension means any force on it (downward or laterally) will cause a noticeable pitch change. As said before, it means chords play in tune easier but bends are much more difficult.
If you use D'Addario strings, EXL145 are 12-54 with a wound G. I use these on one of my guitars. EXL115W are 11-49.
Just to echo the comments above...
I'm not so sure that a wound G intimates better, but it certainly makes it easier to play in tune. The wound string and its associated tension means any force on it (downward or laterally) will cause a noticeable pitch change. As said before, it means chords play in tune easier but bends are much more difficult.
If you use D'Addario strings, EXL145 are 12-54 with a wound G. I use these on one of my guitars. EXL115W are 11-49.
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Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
Re: Wound G = Better intonation?
I use a .011 (obviously plain) for my G string in Eb. It's bend-city, but forget about doing an open E major chord.
I use a .011 (obviously plain) for my G string in Eb. It's bend-city, but forget about doing an open E major chord.
Rockstar216
New member
Re: Wound G = Better intonation?
I use a wound G-string and have been using one for quite awhile now. Yes they do intonate and keep in tune better than a plain G will. Also I use a wound 18 or 17 gauge string and have no problems bending.
I use a wound G-string and have been using one for quite awhile now. Yes they do intonate and keep in tune better than a plain G will. Also I use a wound 18 or 17 gauge string and have no problems bending.
LReese
Sausage Gravy
Re: Wound G = Better intonation?
I remember Bill Lawrence publishing something how Plain G strings could be improved with some more R&D into alloys.
Big problem for me is a wound G does not work with compensated saddles or a G bender - but that's a 1st world issue.
Gauge for gauge, a wound string does take more effort bending.
I remember Bill Lawrence publishing something how Plain G strings could be improved with some more R&D into alloys.
Big problem for me is a wound G does not work with compensated saddles or a G bender - but that's a 1st world issue.
Gauge for gauge, a wound string does take more effort bending.
LReese
Sausage Gravy
Re: Wound G = Better intonation?
http://www.billlawrence.com/Pages/All_About_Tone.htm/TheStringDilemma.htm
http://www.billlawrence.com/Pages/All_About_Tone.htm/TheStringDilemma.htm
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Wound G = Better intonation?
Some of us really bend strings, deep and sustained, and for us, a wound G isn't an option. For some styles and genres, a wound G works great.
Some of us really bend strings, deep and sustained, and for us, a wound G isn't an option. For some styles and genres, a wound G works great.
Rockstar216
New member
Re: Wound G = Better intonation?
A wound G especially a 18 or 17 isn't hard to bend or at least for me it isn't and thats for both single notes and double stops. Now sound wise if you like the snap and extra twang of a plain G thats a different story.
Also yes once you use a wound G compensated saddles are no longer needed. It's also a great cure for those pesky tele barrel style saddles.
A wound G especially a 18 or 17 isn't hard to bend or at least for me it isn't and thats for both single notes and double stops. Now sound wise if you like the snap and extra twang of a plain G thats a different story.
Also yes once you use a wound G compensated saddles are no longer needed. It's also a great cure for those pesky tele barrel style saddles.
LReese
Sausage Gravy
Re: Wound G = Better intonation?
Compensated saddles would still be needed for near perfect intonation.
The compensated set would need to be compensated differently with the wound G. The G would wind up being set a bit shorter, but the other 5 strings would not change. Check out an acoustic saddle for comparison.
Compensated saddles would still be needed for near perfect intonation.
The compensated set would need to be compensated differently with the wound G. The G would wind up being set a bit shorter, but the other 5 strings would not change. Check out an acoustic saddle for comparison.
Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
Re: Wound G = Better intonation?
I've never had intonation problems on a 3-saddle Telecaster bridge when using a plain G. I used to have no problem being wound .022 and .024 G strings, but those days are gone.
I've never had intonation problems on a 3-saddle Telecaster bridge when using a plain G. I used to have no problem being wound .022 and .024 G strings, but those days are gone.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Wound G = Better intonation?
For a three saddle Tele, the wound G should intonate much better!
For those that have no issues bending a wound G, are you getting three semi-tones out of it? I seriously only get a half step due to how far "across" the fretboard it needs to go to change the pitch.
For a three saddle Tele, the wound G should intonate much better!
For those that have no issues bending a wound G, are you getting three semi-tones out of it? I seriously only get a half step due to how far "across" the fretboard it needs to go to change the pitch.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Wound G = Better intonation?
+1. There's a lot of ways to bend strings, and precious few players can bend a wound G anywhere near as much as a plain G.
What's more important to your style: bending or precise intonation? For me, bending is essential, and with a generous amount of vibrato in my fingers whenever I sustain notes, I can cover minor tuning/intonation discrepancies. If you're primarily playing chords, intonation is going to be a bigger priority.
+1. There's a lot of ways to bend strings, and precious few players can bend a wound G anywhere near as much as a plain G.
What's more important to your style: bending or precise intonation? For me, bending is essential, and with a generous amount of vibrato in my fingers whenever I sustain notes, I can cover minor tuning/intonation discrepancies. If you're primarily playing chords, intonation is going to be a bigger priority.
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ItsaBass
New member
Re: Wound G = Better intonation?
A step and a half is the farthest I ever bend, and that is extremely rare, and only on the high E or the B (a 1 to a b3 or a 5 to a b7). Most times I will bend a step, and sometimes a half step...but never have I even thought about bending more than a step on the G, whether it is plain or wound. In other words, I have never conceived of a musical use for such a technique in my own playing. The wound G does it fine for me. You just have to bend it farther to get the pitch change you want. Like anything, you get used to it if you actually spend any time playing the thing. It's what most of these guitars were designed around when they were first made, so they will work on any classic type of guitar, for sure. In my opinion, using a wound G usually brings the best out of a classic-style guitar, but especially a Fender with staggered pickup poles. It's a style issue as to whether or not the wound G works for you. Personally, I like the wound G for certain parts, and the plain G for others. I prefer the wound G for playing chords and riffs. But when I play more lead-like stuff, sometimes the plain G is a better choice. I keep guitars each way...just like I keep guitars with different gauges of strings on them.
A step and a half is the farthest I ever bend, and that is extremely rare, and only on the high E or the B (a 1 to a b3 or a 5 to a b7). Most times I will bend a step, and sometimes a half step...but never have I even thought about bending more than a step on the G, whether it is plain or wound. In other words, I have never conceived of a musical use for such a technique in my own playing. The wound G does it fine for me. You just have to bend it farther to get the pitch change you want. Like anything, you get used to it if you actually spend any time playing the thing. It's what most of these guitars were designed around when they were first made, so they will work on any classic type of guitar, for sure. In my opinion, using a wound G usually brings the best out of a classic-style guitar, but especially a Fender with staggered pickup poles. It's a style issue as to whether or not the wound G works for you. Personally, I like the wound G for certain parts, and the plain G for others. I prefer the wound G for playing chords and riffs. But when I play more lead-like stuff, sometimes the plain G is a better choice. I keep guitars each way...just like I keep guitars with different gauges of strings on them.
