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5. SET INTONATION
You can easily set your bass guitar’s basic
intonation. Plug into your tuner and tune a string
to pitch using the 12th-fret harmonic. Then
fret the string at the 12th fret and compare
that pitch to the 12th-fret harmonic pitch.
If the pitch of the harmonic and the pitch of
the fretted note agree, the string is properly
intonated and no adjustment is necessary. If
the two pitches disagree, an adjustment must
be made, using either a Phillips screwdriver or
a hex wrench, depending on the bridge type.
If the fretted note is sharper (higher in pitch
relative to the harmonic), the string must be
lengthened until both pitches agree. To do
this, turn the saddle length adjustment screw
clockwise, moving the saddle toward the back
of the bridge, until the harmonic and the fretted
pitches read the same. It’s a good idea to stretch
and re-tune the string during the adjustment, as
the movement of the saddle will affect the pitch.
If the fretted note is flatter, (lower in pitch
relative to the harmonic), the string must
be shortened until both pitches agree. To
do this, turn the saddle length adjustment
screw counterclockwise, moving the
saddle forward, until the harmonic and the
fretted pitches read the same. Remember
to stretch and re-tune the string.
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