Intonation Bang On Or Not, Does It Matter

I always intonate as perfectly as possible from the 12th fret when I do any string changes/setups. Problem is, there is no such thing as perfect intonation up and down the fretboard with traditional straight frets. Just not possible. So sometimes you have to adjust slightly "off" to ensure the most number of positions are as close to intonated as possible.

You could go with True Temperament frets, but they feel pretty weird if you bend a lot, and definitely have looks only the inventor could love.
 
Session 5 said:
It does to me , I like my guitars set up a certain way, And I want intonation set perfect, I won't settle for anything else but.
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Just remember. A fretted instrument is imperfect by physics. You can get it very close. But it will never have 100% perfect intonation on 100% of the strings on 100% of the frets. You can get it very close that the ear won't hear it. But a tuner will.


Can a guitar be set with perfect intonation on every fret?

No, a guitar cannot achieve perfect intonation on every single fret due to the compromises inherent in fretted instruments, but luthiers use intonation adjustment (saddle compensation) and proper setup (neck relief, action) to get it very close, making it sound in tune across the fretboard for most playing. True "perfect" intonation would require a complex design like wavy or movable frets, which isn't standard.


Why Perfect Intonation is Impossible (Standard Guitars)

  • Mathematical Compromise: A guitar's scale length is fixed, but notes in equal temperament (standard tuning) divide the octave into 12 mathematically precise steps, which don't align perfectly with a guitar's fixed fret positions.
  • String Dynamics: String tension changes when fretted, and factors like string gauge, age, and how hard you press (fretting pressure) all affect pitch.
  • Physical Imperfections: Fret leveling, neck relief, and nut height all introduce slight variations that aren't accounted for by a simple saddle adjustment.
How to Get Great Intonation

  1. Intonate the Bridge: Adjust saddle position (forward/backward) to make the 12th fret harmonic match the 12th fret fretted note for each string.
  2. Check Neck Relief: Ensure the neck has a slight bow (relief) so strings aren't too high or too low, preventing notes from being sharp or flat.
  3. Set String Action: Adjust string height (action) so you don't have to press excessively hard, which pulls notes sharp.
  4. Level Frets: Uneven frets cause buzzing or intonation issues, requiring professional fret leveling/dressing.
  5. Tune Consistently: Use a quality strobe tuner and tune with consistent pressure, sometimes tuning up to the note rather than just hitting it.
 
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gball said:
I always intonate as perfectly as possible from the 12th fret when I do any string changes/setups. Problem is, there is no such thing as perfect intonation up and down the fretboard with traditional straight frets. Just not possible. So sometimes you have to adjust slightly "off" to ensure the most number of positions are as close to intonated as possible.
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Kinda like, I play more up by the nut (cowboy chords) and not near as much around the 12th fret or above. So any tweaking I do is to try and insure those strings are as close as possible.
 
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Jethro Rocker said:
I try to set it as close as one can. Past that if I cannot hear it on the higher frets then it is irrelevant.
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Exactly. I am not really playing chords (other than the occasional 2-note power chord kind of stuff) above the 12th fret, so like iblive I tend to concentrate on the areas of the fretboard I use the most.

Edit: also, I find that a fresh set of strings will cure most intonation woes provided it was set properly to start with.
 
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In my feeble mind, I feel it also makes a difference how and what you play. I don’t play lead. Jethro does. I play a lot of chords. Betting he plays a lot of single notes. Bending notes. Thinking that intonation not quite right is going to rear its ugly head with chords and maybe not quite as much with notes?
 
Set all my guitars up very well. When i record, meticulously tune notes of the passage being recorded. So on recording day, the tuner is seeing the whole fret board.

Now live, a maniac with a floyd with intonation, what ya expect gonna happen with ADHD & a wiggle stick :electric:
! We in the ball park. No doubt locking Floyd's have helped live work soo much
 
iblive said:
In my feeble mind, I feel it also makes a difference how and what you play. I don’t play lead. Jethro does. I play a lot of chords. Betting he plays a lot of single notes. Bending notes. Thinking that intonation not quite right is going to rear its ugly head with chords and maybe not quite as much with notes?
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Yeah somewhat. An open G or D HAS to sound right. But also, if I am in upper register the notes still have to sound on but it is way harder to hear without checking with a tuner.
 
iblive said:
In my feeble mind, I feel it also makes a difference how and what you play. I don’t play lead. Jethro does. I play a lot of chords. Betting he plays a lot of single notes. Bending notes. Thinking that intonation not quite right is going to rear its ugly head with chords and maybe not quite as much with notes?
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You know that part of the middle guitar solo in “Dream On” by Aerosmith, where Joe slides up to this high note? The intonation of that guitar was off, and that note is like nails on a chalkboard for me.

It matters on notes, too.
 
Seamus OReally said:
You know that part of the middle guitar solo in “Dream On” by Aerosmith, where Joe slides up to this high note? The intonation of that guitar was off, and that note is like nails on a chalkboard for me.

It matters on notes, too.
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Intonation off or just plain out of tune. The way some players attack the strings, they have a hard time just keeping them in tune.

But I get it. Especially way up on the neck and the guys bending the notes like crazy…. And not hitting the note. Like listening to a singer that is either slightly sharp or slightly flat (or a lot). That one gets to my ears as well.
 
No you can't tune the guitar perfectly, that 's the nature of the beast. My guitars are intonated perfect to my ears. Many things can cause intonation problems, bad strings, and the list goes on. But makes, for good discussion.
 
Believe it or not, I once had an issue getting the low E string to intonate properly at the 12th fret on my 2006 Strat. In a state of trying anything to see what works, I lowered the bridge pickup on the bass side down a bit and was able to get the intonation correct.

I had the bridge pickup very close to the strings in an effort to get more "fatness" and output from the bridge pickup. Being a traditional Strat single-coil pickup where each pole piece is a magnet, I'm hypothesizing that the magnetic pull was strong enough to interfere with the 12th fret intonation.
 
smitty_p said:
Believe it or not, I once had an issue getting the low E string to intonate properly at the 12th fret on my 2006 Strat. In a state of trying anything to see what works, I lowered the bridge pickup on the bass side down a bit and was able to get the intonation correct.

I had the bridge pickup very close to the strings in an effort to get more "fatness" and output from the bridge pickup. Being a traditional Strat single-coil pickup where each pole piece is a magnet, I'm hypothesizing that the magnetic pull was strong enough to interfere with the 12th fret intonation.
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I have heard of that. Magnetic pull on the strings if pup is too close.
 
As for the OP, yes, I very much try to get my 12th fret intonation to be as precise as possible. I play all over the neck - open to 22nd fret. So, to me, yes, it matters.

I say precise "as possible" because how hard the string is depressed can affect the pitch slightly. It will never be absolutely perfect simply due to that. But, to me, it's still important to get as close as I can.
 
Session 5 said:
No you can't tune the guitar perfectly, that 's the nature of the beast. My guitars are intonated perfect to my ears. Many things can cause intonation problems, bad strings, and the list goes on. But makes, for good discussion.
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Something I’ve read and have tried. The G and B string seem to be problem causers. Perfectly in tune open. Then fret the darn things an of course they go sharp. Something about the human ear can detect sharp easier than flat. The suggestion was to tune the two a cent or two flat. Most can’t tell… but when you fret them since you’re starting a little flat they go neutral. I have tried that. Honestly can’t tell how much if any difference it made.

One thing I do, especially on the acoustic. Once I have the open strings in tune I’ll play several different chords. Pick out the strings that to my ear are a touch off and tweak them so they’re closer to in tune as I play them.
 
Seamus OReally said:
I’m a fanatic about intonation.
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Why? Why would you allow yourself to think that perfect intonation is achievable at every fret level up or down the fretboard when it's nearly impossible?

I consider myself extremely fortunate to have become friends (texting, phone calls) with one of the best custom guitar builders in the U.S.

I once asked him for his opinion on fanned frets. Aside from his response that fanned frets were a gimmick, he also said...

"A straight fret has to to accommodate 6 strings of various gages, both wounds and unwound. It’s impossible to achieve perfect pitch, so, a guitar is designed for a 'compensated' scale........meaning it's 'almost' in tune. In the real world, it's close enough."
 
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