re. melody maker intonation

[twotimingpete]

hey, I'm new here, but I have a new melody maker with a bit of a problem.

I realize that with a non-compensated wrap around bridge, ultra-precision in your intonation is likely not going to happen.

however, I've found that I'm getting a flat reading on EVERY string at the 12th fret, even with the bridge adjusted as far towards the pickups as possible. I can't adjust it any further and every string is still flat.

the guitar sounds and plays real nice, and has a rare wood pattern for a melody maker (you can see STRONG wood lines through the worn white, even from a distance) but now I'm terrified that maybe the bridge wasn't installed in the right place at the factory and I'm "effed".

any input? is this a common problem or is there something I'm missing? I'm using a boss tu12 tuner that is usually pretty dang accurate.

[-=[Shifty]=-]

Welcome to MLP.

I'm not sure but I think giving the neck a little more relief, thus decreasing the length of the strings, might solve the problem. I suggest you to wait for someone more knowledgeable, though.

[G-Minor]

try different gauge strings. if u boght it new and replaced the strings to different gauge itll probably lose intonation

[twotimingpete]

I use 10s -- factory strings were 10s, too, so that shouldn't be the problem?

I've tried tweaking the neck relief quite a bit, I usually have minimal relief, but whatever setting I try -- seems to have the same problem.

it's not a TON flat, but it's flat on each string, and it's eating away at me just knowing that I can't get any of the strings perfect.

[G-Minor]

relatively speaking ull never get it perfect.u can only get it close. i thought factories were 9's though

[SiriusAbbott]

replace bridge/tailpiece with intonable version...

[twotimingpete]

Originally Posted by SiriusAbbott

replace bridge/tailpiece with intonable version...

I thought of that, however if the bridge isn't close enough to the pickups for it to ever be anything but flat, not sure how that'd help. wonder if the axe is fubared.

[G-Minor]

oh yea probably try a badass bridge

[mrpesca]

Originally Posted by twotimingpete

I thought of that, however if the bridge isn't close enough to the pickups for it to ever be anything but flat, not sure how that'd help. wonder if the axe is fubared.

Mine was f'ed up right from the factory. I sent it to a Gibson repair facility and they kept it for a month. It really should have been replaced becasue the neck wasn't right. They messed with it and got it close. I bought a pigtail bridge for it and now it's fine.

[twotimingpete]

I was looking at some adjustable bridges and I actually think they might be able to solve it, since they appear to adjust further towards the pickups than the stocker does. I think I'm gonna try this one. Adjustable Wraparound Bridge at Stewart-MacDonald

while I'm ordering I was thinking of getting a nut. what kinda nut is best? bone? and what kind of glue do I use? I sorta know how to replace a nut, I've just never actually done it, and since I got this melody maker for just $250 it seems like a good experimentation axe.

[snaredrum]

that's a great deal for a melody maker man, nice one. i was going to suggest a Wilkinson wraparound bridge for the intonation, but it seems you may have it covered.

if you've never removed or replaced a nut and don't feel confident/have some skill, pay someone to do it. it can get scary.

finally, welcome to the forums. got any pics of the guitar?

[Jason]

Welcome, and good luck with that bridge. My Les Paul Melody Maker should get here tomorrow... Luckily that model came with a TOM.

[twotimingpete]

thanks guys. yea I have some pics.

I actually got it new a couple weeks ago for $250. musician's friend was having a phone-in only sale for them. I think it may be over now but I'm not sure.

those stripes are just how the wood looks through the finish. came out of the box that way. I don't know if it's a finish anomaly or a wood anomaly, but I don't mind it so much.

[AngryHatter]

Originally Posted by -=[Shifty]=-

Welcome to MLP.

I'm not sure but I think giving the neck a little more relief, thus decreasing the length of the strings, might solve the problem. I suggest you to wait for someone more knowledgeable, though.

Bingo.

[koen]

I replaced the bridge on my MM with a wraparound intonable one from Pigtail and had it set up by a local shop. Highly recommended.

[Gasman]

After going through some hard times - Like most of us. I recently sold off most of my guitars - I kept my Martin. Scraped a few bucks together recently and purchased a no Nonsense Melody maker reissue. I think I owned about 5 of these. To me the best bang for the buck for a American Guitar still made in America. I just can't say enough about the MM.
Ken

[fattbottom]

this is a late reply to this post and it falls in line with the other comments. I own a double cutaway with the translucent cherry red finish 1965 melody maker, got it new for Christmas when I was in high school. This is the heart and soul of all of my 22 other guitars. I had a tech put a, new style bridge that was out, it was a new idea then, called a Leo Quan "badass" bridge on it due to its intonation problem. the guitar originally came with a tremolo. Took it off as well and put the original wrap bridge and the tremelo into a box and put it into the case. The guitar was amazing and played great for years. I actually wore out the "Badass", I talked to Leo Quan about replacement parts for the original bridge but he said nothing was available so I put a schaller adjustable stoptail bridge from Stew Mac and once again it is a great guitar. My son has now acquired all of my equipment including "Buster" my 65 MM and he loves it. Great thin neck, easy to play and just keeps going.