Topic: Setting tonation
Whats the correct way to set the tonation on my Les Paul ? Thanks again , Paul
- NPB_EST.1979
- BONAMETAL
- Offline
Re: Setting tonation
Is your Les Paul really out of intonation, or do the frets need to be dressed? Sometimes that can make a guitar sound sour.
On intonnation, from my exp.
Long answer:
Get a good tuner, tune to 440 by plucking the open string. then do a 12th fret harmonic. Adjust the bridge piece for that string if the harmonic isn't 440. I want to say screwing the piece towards the frets makes the harmonic sharper, and away from the frets makes it flatter. Repeat for all strings.
Short answer:
Especially for a LesPaul, bring it in to someone you can trust, and pay quality money for a quality job ($20-$50 US). They'll find out what's really wrong and do the job to fix it. Guitar techs have either proper education or years upon years of experience.
Logic:
Don't get me wrong, I tinker with my Fenders and some of my cheapy guitars, but when it comes to my Gibsons - I always bring them in (I don't take any chances).
good luck
- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping.
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping.
- Beerdog80
- Platinum
- Offline
Re: Setting tonation
NPB_EST.1979 wrote:
Is your Les Paul really out of intonation, or do the frets need to be dressed? Sometimes that can make a guitar sound sour.
On intonnation, from my exp.
Long answer:
Get a good tuner, tune to 440 by plucking the open string. then do a 12th fret harmonic. Adjust the bridge piece for that string if the harmonic isn't 440. I want to say screwing the piece towards the frets makes the harmonic sharper, and away from the frets makes it flatter. Repeat for all strings.Short answer:
Especially for a LesPaul, bring it in to someone you can trust, and pay quality money for a quality job ($20-$50 US). They'll find out what's really wrong and do the job to fix it. Guitar techs have either proper education or years upon years of experience.Logic:
Don't get me wrong, I tinker with my Fenders and some of my cheapy guitars, but when it comes to my Gibsons - I always bring them in (I don't take any chances).good luck
+1. perfect advice.
another trick mentioned in another current thread is replace the tail piece. For some guitars, it makes a world of difference. I have a epi les paul custom that I got for traveling (gotta keep my real ones from getting screwed) and it was ALWAYS sharp. Got the Tone Pros bridge & tailpiece and that solved the problem. Its sound better now than the real LP's I have. Its now my #1.
Don't play leapfrog with a unicorn
Re: Setting tonation
I also want to add then when you are setting intonation on any guitar, you should do it with a new set of strings on.