Question of String and Intonation

IroniaSudby · Post by **IroniaSudby** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 2:29 pm

Bit of back story.

I bought my Japenese Jag around September 09. I did not go get it set up nor
did i change the strings to anything. I hankered with it myself, playing with
the bridge saddles (Pulling them back and raising them) Until i got somewhat
of a guitar sound.

Now the strings are dead. They just sound like shit so i decided to get me a new pair.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=100197

The question is this.

Could i install the strings, and intonate guitar myself without going to a shop, or is
it better to just go down there and let them do it.

Another thing is that im afraid if i intonate, my playing will somehow change. As if my guitar
will sound different in a way i dont like it.

Its a weird thing, but i need some comfort....

(Will take pictures if needed, just ask)

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 2:50 pm

You've got nothing to worry about, intonation is something very simple to adjust and also can be dependent on the way you play. Just make sure you're using a nice accurate tuner else it can be a pain in the arse.

Doug · Post by **Doug** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 2:24 am

I'm relatively new to electric guitars and am doin everything I can to avoid having to intonate, so I'll jump in and add what I think-hope may be helpful. Full disclosure: if there's something very quirky about changing Jag strings, I know nothing about it.

You ought to be able to change the strings yourself. If you use the same gauge strings and change em one at a time, intonation should not be affected at all. I've been told this by several people who's experience I trust...I change my own strings and have no problems so far with intonation.

On the other hand, I've been cautioned that changing gauge can mess up your intonation. And that's when I'd be headed down to the guitar tech's.

serfx · Post by **serfx** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 3:11 am

every time i toss new strings on a guitar i make sure the intonation is in.. and when its out i then google what way to move the screws...
every fucking time. i for some reason have still not gotten this memorized

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 7:53 am

Dude don't worry about it - as SerfX sayeth google will help but pretty much slap a tuner in the bastard and tune it up open, fret the 12th, look at tuner, move forwards or backwards and figure out which way is 'towards' pitch and keep flipping between open and 12th until both are as spot on as you can get. You can normally sort this within 20 mins.

Have a shot Hotrod, there's a lot of stuff with guitars that people spend shed-loads to get done by techs that to be honest they can do themselves - don't think of this as some esoteric subject, it's just engineering - move it one way, move it another, raise it up, raise it down, repeat until correct.

DEW EET!

kypdurron · Post by **kypdurron** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 10:33 am

serfx wrote:every time i toss new strings on a guitar i make sure the intonation is in.. and when its out i then google what way to move the screws...
every fucking time. i for some reason have still not gotten this memorized

+ 1, I just recently found out the logic behind it. Before I often called someone what to do. But still, it's easy and your guitar can only sound better afterwards. What is tricky on SOME floating trems is to free the strings from the tailpiece, I usually bend down the trem arm to get them out ...

cur · Post by **cur** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 3:41 pm

Have a shot Hotrod,

DEW EET!

It's Notrod not Hotrod.

if you shorten the string, the note gets higher, and if you lengthen it, it goes lower. Tune from the nut then the 12th after each adjustment.

theshadowofseattle · Post by **theshadowofseattle** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 3:44 pm

Holy fuck, you went a YEAR without changing strings?!

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 5:03 pm

i rarely go a few weeks without breaking one or having one corrode to bits from acidic sweat.

Put new strings on, if you've never done that before check out some youtube videos.

Get the thing in tune, then fret the string at the 12th fret. If it is SHARP, move the saddle back [clockwise turns] and if FLAT, move the saddle forward [counterclockwise turns]

Its easy as pie and you'll get the hang of it in no time

Doug · Post by **Doug** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 11:06 pm

Haze, best instructions I've read. I'm gonna do it.

Thing is, I learned to tune by ear and have never used an electric tuner. Always resisted em. As if they're an insult to my ear...

I surrender.

IroniaSudby · Post by **IroniaSudby** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 12:31 am

Yeah, i think i got it down. Thanks a bunch guys.

Yes i went a year without changing. Its not a good
way to go about.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 12:31 am

yeah, lemme just emphasize that i am not the original poster.

i'd also like to express the fact that i buy my strings in packages containing six, not in pairs.

EDIT: thanks for changing your avatar, guy.

IroniaSudby · Post by **IroniaSudby** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 12:58 am

hotrodperlmutter wrote:yeah, lemme just emphasize that i am not the original poster.

i'd also like to express the fact that i buy my strings in packages containing six, not in pairs.

EDIT: thanks for changing your avatar, guy.

Fo sho.