Setting the Action and Intonation for Each String on Your Bass?
- Bass Sound Examples
- mp3 (HTML5 audio tag)
- mp3 (HTML5 audio tag)
- mp3 (HTML5 audio tag)
The first step in setting up your bass guitar is adjusting the string height and adjusting the neck relief if necessary. Once the string height is set to your preferred playing style, it is time to adjust the string saddles to set intonation. Once you have the open string tuned to the desired note, press the 12th fret Octave Note and notice how the strobe tuner spins. If it is spinning in an upward direction, the octave note is too sharp and the saddle must be moved towards the bridge tailpiece. If it spins in a downward direction, then the octave note is flat and the saddle needs to be moved forward, away from the tailpiece.
It may take a few tries to get the open string note and the 12th fret octave note to both be in tune, but this is the goal. All it takes is a bit of practice and you will get used to setting up your own intonation. Most music stores charge between $25 and $60 for this process. So, changing strings and setting up your instruments yourself is a handy way to save yourself some money in the long run. And, a Strobe Tuner is suprisingly easy to read, once you are familiar with the process. It is not a bad idea if you are unsure of what to do to consult a Luthier to avoid damage to your bass guitar.