String Lntonation; Strings - Peavey LTD VT Operating Manual

String Intonation
Accurate string intonation settings ensure that
your
instrument
will
play in tune
at any
point
on the neck. Although "perfect intonation"
is
an
impossibility with
a
fretted instrument, the prop-
er adjustments
will
maximize the accuracy
of individual
notes up and
down the
neck.
lntonation
is set
by comparing the pitch of
an
open string to the pitch of the
same string when
played one octave higher at the
12th fret. The
actual "vibrating length" of that string
is varied
until the
notes are
both at the correct pitch. The vibrating length of
the
string
is altered
by adjusting the individual
saddles either
forward or back-
ward, depending on whether the fretted note
is sharper
or flatter in pitch
than the open
note.
9 rr^rrF
This process should always be performed
with
new
strings.
(D
IUU I
E
lntonation problems can often
result
from worn
strings.
tt
is
J
often
difficult for the
untrained ear
to
determine when the
open note and the fretted note
are
at precisely the
same
pitch.
Some
play-
ers
find
that comparing
the 'l2th fret harmonic of the
string (rather than the
open
note) to the fretted note
is
much
easier.
A
harmonic is played by plucking the
string
with the
right
hand
while
touching the
string
with the
left index finger
(as
lightly
as possible) directly
above
the
12th fret. The left finger is drawn away
as
quickly
as possible
after
the string
is
plucked, producing a
"chime'
effect. This chimed note
is
then compared to the fretted note.
For greater ease
and accuracy, we rec-
ommend one of the many types of electronic guitar tuners that
are
available
from
most music
stores.
1.
Ensure
that the torsion rod and string height settings are accurate
and the strings are new.
2.
Tune the
instrument
to standard (A-44O) pitch.
3.
Hold the instrument in a normal playing position or place
the
guitar on
a
clean, flat
surface so
that the body is in contact with
the
work
surface.
Any pressure on the neck
will
affect intonation
settings.
4.
Ptay
the first
(E)
string open and compare it to the pitch of the
same string
when it
is played at
the 12th
fret. These notes should
sound the same. (Actually, there is an octave difference.)