Look
at the bridge and you'll notice the individual saddles.
If they are even/straight across the guitar then it has never been
set for intonation. As strings get lower in pitch they need to be
thicker and longer. The guitar or bass is designed at the bridge
to
be set or intonated between the 12th fret and the open strings.
The instruments best intonation is actually a compromise among numerous
factors. You have to accept some small degree of out-of-tuness.
The saddles on a electric can vibrate out of position and will need
over time to be reset.
The
Set Up of your instrument needs the proper adjustment of a number
of components. The truss rod, bridge, nut, tail piece, frets ends,
tuners
and tremolo assembly can all effect the tone, playability and tune-ability.
Example, the higher you set your action the better it may sound
yet it feels
like a cheese cutter. Set the action to low and the strings will
buzz. The height of the strings on a fret board can seriously transform
your ability to play better.
The
height of the pole pieces in your pick-ups and the pick-ups themselves
drastically influence how the instrument sounds. Strum across the
strings and see if some notes are more pronounced than others.
The
truss rod is a steel rod in the neck that supports the neck against
the pressure of the strings. That pressure changes every time you
change string gauge and drop or alter-tuning. Weather also a key
factor since the neck is made of wood. It reacts organically to
environmental changes like humidity and temperature. Truss rod adjustment
that has been over-corrected can really screw up an instrument.
If you have a severe neck problem or are just plain
nervous about it we can help.
Inspection
and adjustment is critical to staying in tune. Many guitar companies
will sell instruments with cheap tuners to cut down the
cost. They can really hurt. Have them replaced.
These
assembly units can be trouble. Anyone who has ever tried to
use the tremolo bar and still keep the Vintage Strat in tune or
restrung
a Floyd Rose style floating tremolo bar can attest to pain and
suffering. We will do it.
