How to Adjust Intonation on Bass

Co-authored by Nicolas Adams

Last Updated: July 8, 2021 Approved

Adjusting the intonation on your bass is the final step in the process of setting up a bass and is critically important for assuring that your instrument produces accurate tones. This article explains how to adjust intonation on a bass.

Steps

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1
Adjust your truss rod and adjust your action, if necessary, before setting the intonation of your bass.
- Adjusting the truss rod and adjusting the action on your bass changes the distance between the bridge saddles and the nut. Any such change will affect the intonation of the bass.^{[1]
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Obtain the necessary tool, which can be a small flat-blade screwdriver, small Phillips screwdriver or an allen wrench.

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4
Tune each string on your bass.^{[2]
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- Recheck and adjust the tuning of each string after tuning all of the strings. Changing the tension on each string will affect the tuning of the other strings.
- Continue tuning each of the strings until they are all in tune simultaneously.
5
Play the harmonic of the G-string at the 12th fret.^{[3]
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- Lightly touch your finger on the string directly over the 12th fret.
- Verify on the tuner that the string is tuned exactly to G.
6
Fret the G-string at the 12th fret and play the note.
- Fret the string directly behind the fret.
- Fret the string with the same pressure that you would ordinarily use while playing. Resist the temptation to press more firmly on the string.
- Note the tuning on the electronic tuner. If this note is sharp (above the tone of the harmonic), then the string length from the nut to the bridge needs to be increased. If the fretted note is flat (below the tone of the harmonic), then the string length from the nut to the bridge needs to be decreased.
7
Adjust the bridge saddle to correct the bass string intonation.
- If the string length needs to be increased, turn the bridge saddle adjustment screw clockwise. If the string length needs to be decreased, turn the bridge saddle adjustment screw counterclockwise.
- Determine how much to change the saddle adjustment based on how far out of tune the fretted note was.
8
Repeat the process.
- Play the harmonic to verify that the string is still in tune after adjusting the bridge saddle location.
- Fret the string at the 12th fret and play the note. Observe whether this note is in tune, sharp or flat.^{[4]
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- Repeat the process until the note played with the string fingered at the 12th fret is the same and in tune with the harmonic played at the 12th fret.

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Question

How do you recommend people maintain their guitars?

Nicolas Adams
Professional Guitarist
Nicolas Adams is a 5th generation musician of Serbian Gypsy descent and the lead guitarist of the band Gypsy Tribe. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Nicolas specializes in Rumba Flamenco and Gypsy jazz and playing the guitar, Bouzouki, Balalaika, and piano.

Nicolas Adams

Professional Guitarist

Expert Answer

Avoid leaving it out. Always keep it in a case or covered with humidity control, especially for guitars without a truss rod. As far as physical appearance, avoid sunlight for long periods of time, which will fade and damage the guitar. Avoid severe heat, severe cold, and severe moisture. Keep it in that perfect temperature range of around 68 degrees to 72 degrees. As far as dust and dirt and oils go, make sure that the guitar is cleaned properly before putting it away. Wipe down all the strings. Make sure there's no oil from your hands or other things on the face, top, or sides of the guitar, which can get into the guitar or damage the varnish. There are whole kits that come with everything such as oil cleaner, wax, and fret polish. It's important to clean in between the frets, where dirt and grime can go because those can wear down the frets faster.

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What makes playing the bass difficult?

Nicolas Adams
Professional Guitarist
Nicolas Adams is a 5th generation musician of Serbian Gypsy descent and the lead guitarist of the band Gypsy Tribe. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Nicolas specializes in Rumba Flamenco and Gypsy jazz and playing the guitar, Bouzouki, Balalaika, and piano.

Nicolas Adams

Professional Guitarist

Expert Answer

One of the harder things is keeping your focus and not losing your place when dealing with different strings. Also, learning different patterns can be difficult such as different walks, runs, and structural patterns on the baselines. It also wears on your hands a lot more than any other guitar because it's heavier. If you don't have a callus, you'll definitely develop one.

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How do I know if my strings are too old/stretched when making intonation adjustments?

Community Answer

If they quickly come out of tune, then they are old. Also check if they are rusty.

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