Getting my guitar intonated... :ohgodwhy:

[Coolguy]

Hi guys,

I've always been very happy with my LS150.
Recently, I've switched from using .10-.46 Ernie Ball strings to .10-.52 gauge.

This change however, has messed up my intonation.

The problem now is: I can't move the saddle on the E string far enough towards the neck so the intonation is set correctly.

The result is a very noticeable 'oh gods it sounds so out of tune'-sound whenever I'm playing anything with the 6th string in it.
Flipping the saddle also didn't give me enough space to properly intonate.


Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks!

 

[mattim]

You need to get a "harmonica style" with bigger amount of saddle adjustment room:

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/images/large/GB-0510-010.jpg

You can find those in Ebay.

Matti

 

[marcusnieman]

Sorry, my two cents here but there is no possible way that such a slight change could botch up your intonation that bad.....

You might want to check the slot in your nut - it may well not be cut for the wider guage..... if the string is sitting high in the groove, certainly when you fret the string, it'll have a tendency to go sharp because of the extra height at the nut. Check that first before you go to a Nashville bridge.

 

[bluesyrat]

+1 Marcus.

Coolguy, could you post a close picture of your bridge with new strings? could be helpful...
cheers, F

 

[Mick51]

Sorry, my two cents here but there is no possible way that such a slight change could botch up your intonation that bad.....

You might want to check the slot in your nut - it may well not be cut for the wider guage..... if the string is sitting high in the groove, certainly when you fret the string, it'll have a tendency to go sharp because of the extra height at the nut. Check that first before you go to a Nashville bridge.

Excellent advice. To which the corollary is: Make sure you want .052 gauge before you widen the slot, if that is in fact the issue. As Thomas Wolfe said, "You can never go home.."

 

[Diamond]

Excellent advice all over this thread.

 

[marcusnieman]

That's right Mick... once you cut your hair, you can't put it back on. My dad used to say "measure twice, cut once"