Intonation nightmare - G string

[moreles]

I like DarrelIV's take. At least my experience is consistent with what he describes. Between the fundamental intonation problems that are inherent in the nature of the guitar and the impact of a player's style, it's useful to consider intonation in terms of actual playing, not just workbench conditions. I generally intonate on the bench and then make additional adjustments by actually playing and adjusting as needed/possible. I play with a light touch and low action, but even so usually end up "flatting" some strings a bit because fretting pressure sharps them, however slightly. I once went on an intonation quest on one of my guitars, using a Earvana nut (which I further adjusted and then remade out of bone) and I did achieve a really nice improvement that was actually audible in a pleasant way -- less internal combat between strings. I don't know anyone who feels like they've really mastered intonating a guitar!

 

[warprider]

Try a wound G.

 

[Mockbel]

I think you are overthinking it... Does it really noticeable?
If you want a perfect tuned frets all over the neck.. you will need one of these:

 

[Classicplayer]

OP, you could try this approach; that is before turning to a tech for a look.

Intonate your guitar with just your own tuner. Tune so that each string played open, then fretted at
the 12th. fret, and again the harmonic at the 12th. fretbshow all 3 to be in tune.

Then as others have said, play the guitar by fingering octaves. I do it this way: G @ 6th. string
3rd fret and 4th. string 5th fret. Then 4th. string 5th. and 2nd. string 8th. fret.

Play next...a C octave 5th. string 3rd. fret and 3nd. string 5th. fret.

Play C octave 3rd. string 5th. fret and 1st. string 8th. fret.

I hope I have this right?!

Play octaves up and down the neck in a few places to see. You can make small tuning adjustments
as you progress, by ear. The object is to get the guitar to play in tune over the entire
fingerboard. Keep in mind that some compromises might have to be allowed. if you are not satisfied, then seek out a tech to have a look at the guitar and perhaps a setup might help.


Classicplayer

 

[John Vasco]

First of all, as has been pointed out in an earlier post, tuning/intonation is an imperfect science. What we do is get intonation as close as possible that is pleasing to the ears. We have to live with that.

Having done the above, when tuning your guitar, you MUST tune to the 'attack'. That means you must tune to how you play; the pressure you exert behind the fret for each string. It is no good tuning open strings perfectly and then applying heavy pressure on the strings behind the frets - it will simply sound out of tune as a result.

I would suggest you tune your guitar fretted at the first fret, and get things as close as possible there. You may find that if you then play open chords there is an ever so slight dissonance, but that will be more like a 12-string sound rather than an out-of-tune sound.

Both at home and at gigs I always tune the 3rd and 6th strings last, and tune them a few cents down. Open chords - so minimal it isn't noticed, as above; move up the neck and things are just fine. You may wish to try this as well.

Key thing is you must tune to how you fret the strings. If you don't, you will forever be frustrated...

 

[PierM]

First of all, as has been pointed out in an earlier post, tuning/intonation is an imperfect science. What we do is get intonation as close as possible that is pleasing to the ears. We have to live with that.

Having done the above, when tuning your guitar, you MUST tune to the 'attack'. That means you must tune to how you play; the pressure you exert behind the fret for each string. It is no good tuning open strings perfectly and then applying heavy pressure on the strings behind the frets - it will simply sound out of tune as a result.

I would suggest you tune your guitar fretted at the first fret, and get things as close as possible there. You may find that if you then play open chords there is an ever so slight dissonance, but that will be more like a 12-string sound rather than an out-of-tune sound.

Both at home and at gigs I always tune the 3rd and 6th strings last, and tune them a few cents down. Open chords - so minimal it isn't noticed, as above; move up the neck and things are just fine. You may wish to try this as well.

Key thing is you must tune to how you fret the strings. If you don't, you will forever be frustrated...

This! ^ ^ ^

If you OP want to see how imperfect a guitar is, try to play a perfect F note at the tuner, at first fret, on E string. You'll see how, even a very minor variation in the pressure, will affect the note. Good luck with that, especially if you have an high nut.

On the nut/first fret that's more critique, but the entire fretboard it's (other than an equal temperament subdivision) totally subject to pressure forces applied to the strings. It is not a keyboard.

 

[Jymbopalyse]

No offence ( now that usually means some offence to follow, but honestly, no offence.

Perhaps it's the player and not the guitar.

I know it's only the G string. But perhaps you just push too hard or at the very least, put inconsistent pressure up and down the fret board. Or a combination of that, and the nut.

Good luck in your search.

 

[Ermghoti]

Every guitar or bass I've bought new had nut slots cut insufficiently deep. It's a touchy operation to hit spot on, and if you go too far, the nut is junk, which for Gibson, would mean a refinish after replacement, so it's not worth it to try to nail it from a cost/benefit perspective.

 

[Guitpicky]

It's not supposed to be perfect, just close enough for rock and roll