How do I fix the intonation on my Les Paul?

The basic theory is this:

Pick the open string and verify it’s in tune.
Fret at the 12th fret and pick this note.
If the 12th fret note is flat, move the saddle forward a little by turning the adjustment screw.
If the 12th fret note is sharp, move the saddle back a little by turning the screw.

How do you fix bad intonation?

If the fretted 12th fret note is sharp, adjusting the screw clockwise will improve intonation. Turning the screw anti-clockwise decreases the length of the guitar string. If the fretted 12th fret note is flat, adjusting the screw clockwise will improve intonation.

Why is the intonation on my guitar so bad?

The Nut Is Worn Down or Not Set Properly A worn down or improperly positioned nut can cause bad intonation. A worn-down nut will need replacement, and a nut set too high should be filed down in order to lower the string action.

How do you play 12th fret harmonics?

To play a harmonic place your finger directly above the 12th fret on the 6th String (thickest string). Now lightly press the string with your finger, do not fret the string or push hard, just barely touch it. Use the picture on the right as an example. Now with your right hand, pluck the 6th string.

How do you know if intonation is off?

When an instrument is properly intonated, all the open strings and every note on the fretboard sound at their correct pitches. If your guitar still sounds noticeably out of tune even after you’ve tuned the open strings, the intonation is off—that is, the instrument is out of tune with itself.

Will changing strings fix intonation?

Changing string gauge can affect intonation Your guitar’s intonation will likely need to be fine-tuned whenever you replace your strings. If you change string gauges, the intonation will almost certainly need to be reset because the core of your new strings will have a different diameter.

Does the truss rod affect intonation?

By adjusting the truss rod, you can change the relief of the neck, which affects the guitar’s action and intonation.

Does string gauge affect intonation?

String gauge does affect intonation, but just a little bit. Having a perfectly intonated instrument is almost impossible to achieve. There are too many factors accounting for the intonation change. Action height, bridge saddle position, neck radius, nut position and height, and so on.

Is harmonic tuning accurate?

Harmonic Tuner is a novel accurate instrument tuning tool for musicians and sound engineers. Its special feature is to perform pitch measurements (0.1 cents precision) by analysing tuning and levels of up to 16 individual overtones (harmonics) of a note.

Are harmonics in tune?

Harmonics are overtones set at fixed intervals that work in “harmony” with a fundamental tone. So if you sound the fifth-fret harmonic on your low E string, you can tune the A string by sounding its seventh-fret harmonic while the fifth-fret E-string harmonic is still ringing.

Is the intonation on your Gibson really that bad?

My LPs intonation isn’t horrible but it’s off enough to be a real PITA. Every Gibson I have ever owned has had tuning issues, especially the dreaded “G” string. I have found a method to keeping it and the rest of the strings in tune by always tuning from flat to tune as opposed to tuning back from sharp.

Is intonation on LP’s a problem?

Some LP’s have a forward leaning bridge also . . until that is fixed intonation will be a problem. Some LP’s have a forward leaning bridge also . . until that is fixed intonation will be a problem. Click to expand…

How to tell if a Les Paul frets are flat?

Study the frets on any Les Paul and you will find that they are flattened. When you fret a note on an LP, the contact point is not at the center of the fret, but closer to the bridge-side edge of the “flat” fret–the ideal distances from the nut are all off a bit (longer than they should be).

Are Gibson DR Strings difficult to intonate?

This fact makes Gibson guitars notoriously difficult to intonate. The solution is to have the frets crowned–creating a new fret contact point at the center of each fret and restoring the ideal distance. DR strings have a history of intonation issues.