Intonation; Pickups - Ibanez Guitar Manual

Maintenance Manual

INTONATION

After you replace the strings or adjust the neck, you must make
fine adjustments to the string length (intonation) to ensure that the
correct pitch is sounded at all frets. Tune the guitar accurately, hold
it in playing position, and compare the pitch of the string pressed
down at the 12th fret with the harmonic played at the 12th fret. If
the pitch played at the 12th fret is lower than the harmonic, move
the bridge saddle forward (Fig. 12 A) to shorten the string length.
Conversely, if the pitch played at the 12th fret is higher than the
harmonic, move the bridge saddle backward (Fig. 12 B) to length-
en the string length. The method of adjustment will depend on the
type of your bridge, so make adjustments as described in the ad-
justment manual.
* Use a tuning meter in order to adjust the intonation accurately.
* The string may break if the saddle is moved a substantial distance,
so be sure to loosen the string before you adjust the saddle.

PICKUPS

By adjusting the pickup height you can make fine adjustments in
the volume and tone. Use a Philips (+) screwdriver to adjust the
adjustment screws (Fig. 13 A) at both sides of the pickup, to set
the height of the pickup with the string pressed at the last fret. In
general, there should be a space of 2~3 mm between the pickup
or pole piece and the string. However, since the optimal pickup
height will depend on the type of pickup, your playing style, and on
the character of the amp, you should make this adjustment while
listening to the actual sound. The volume will increase as the dis-
tance between the pickup and string decreases, but if the spacing
is too close, the sound may be distorted, or the magnetic field of
the pickup may cause the string to buzz. Conversely, increasing
the distance between the string and pickup will produce a clearer
sound with less distortion, but the high-frequency range may be
attenuated and there may be less volume.
If your pickup allows the height of individual pole pieces to be ad-
justed, adjust the pole piece height so that the volume of all strings
is well balanced. Depending on the type of pole piece, you will use
a minus (-) screwdriver or an Allen wrench to adjust the height
(Fig. 13 B). In particular for the type that uses a (-) screw, please
use caution since there is no limit to the range of adjustment.
30
12F 12F
A A
B B
Fig. 12 Fig. 12
Fig. 13 Fig. 13