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Intonation
A properly intoned bass guitar will sound in tune no matter where you play along
the fretboard. Intonation is determined by the length of each string as controlled by
the location of each string’s saddle. To check intonation, complete all adjustments
to the truss rod and string action, and tune your guitar. Then, compare the fretted
sound of the 1th fret to the open harmonic of the 1th fret. (Harmonics
are created by lightly placing a nger against a string—in this case, at the
1th fret—and striking normally with your picking hand. You’ve done it cor-
rectly if you hear a clear, loud, bell-like tone.) If the notes are the same, no
adjustment is required. If they do not match, you will need to ne-tune each
offending string using the adjustment screws to move the saddle location.
If the fretted 1th note is at, adjust the saddle toward the neck. If sharp,
move it away from the neck. Note that on some bass guitars, you will need
to loosen strings before making saddle adjustments. Repeat the process
until the fretted sound of the 1th fret matches the open harmonic of the
1th fret.
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