How to Set Intonation On an Electric Guitar

Perfect intonation on an electric guitar is easier to achieve than you may have thought. A few simple tools, a patient hand, and a little spare time can go a long way in making your electric guitar sound brand new again!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Electric Tuner
• Phillips screwdriver and/or Flat-head screwdriver (depending on bridge screws)
• Electric Guitar with an adjustable bridge

1. 
    
   Tune-Up

   TUNE UP: First, tune your guitar up to standard pitch. Be as precise as possible (WARNING #1).

2. 
    
   Harmonic on the 12th Fret

   HARMONIZE: Starting with your low E-string (WARNING #2), play the harmonic on the 12th fret wire. Take note on the tuner whether or not you are in perfect pitch.
   
   Now, hold down the string on the actual 12th fret itself. Again, take note of the pitch produced on your tuner.
   
   If both notes are perfectly pitched, move on to the next string and repeat this procedure because that string is perfectly intonated. However, if there is a difference between the harmonic 12th note and the fretted 12th note, you'll have to adjust the string (see below).

3. 
    
   Bridge screws below the strings on stop-bar styled tailpiece.

   ADJUSTMENT: If the harmonic note is SHARP (higher pitched) compared to the fretted note, shorten the string length to compensate. This will require you loosening the saddle screw of the bridge with the necessary screwdriver type. Repeat STEP 2 to check the tuning. Repeat until both notes are the same pitch.
   
   If the harmonic note is FLAT (lower pitched) compared to the fretted note, elongate the string length to compensate. This will require you tightening the saddle screw of the bridge. Repeat STEP 2 to check the tuning. Repeat until both notes are the same pitch.

4. REPEAT: Perform this procedure for each string individually from the lowest E-string to the highest E-string. Between switching to another string, check the overall tuning of your guitar so that you don't miscalculate the refinements.

5. ENJOY: Once you are finished, play through the length of your fret board. Notice how pleasant the overall tone is--no chiming, no false notes, no misfire chording.
   
   If for some reason the tonality of your guitar's entire fret board range of notes is still hampered, then the problem may not be faulty intonation. Other problems could include a truss rod misalignment, false fretting, or bad string action (see other articles of mine to correct these problems).

Tips & Warnings

• A harmonic is produced by lightly touching your finger across a specific point on the string (in this case, across the 12th fret wire itself). This produces a bell-like tone that vibrates on both sides of the string. It is best to quickly remove your finger once you have plucked to ensure a full harmonic.
• Perform adjustments to the string length in small increments with the screwdriver. Typically, small quarter or eighth turns of the adjustment screw is all that is necessary.
• #1) Failing to be precise with your initial tuning will result in a faulty adjustment through the rest of the project.
• #2) Start with your lowest pitched strings and work your way, single file, to the higher pitched strings. Lower strings have more tension, and reversing this procedure will pull the original tuning of strings out before and during intonation set-up.

[melgrimes]

on 6/9/2009 Good information. Thanks.

[mustafa115]

on 2/15/2009 Useful tips. Thanks! 5*

[argyle]

on 2/15/2009 Thanks for the electric guitar article. 5*

[AdirondackTrina]

on 2/15/2009 Great article, good detail, and easy to follow instructions. Welcome to eHow!

[labellefleur100]

on 2/14/2009 You are so lucky to have such a talent. I would love to play an instrument! 5* RCMMD