To set intonation on a 4 string bass guitar, you will need:
- A tuner
- A small Allen wrench
Step 1: Tune the bass guitar.
Use a tuner to tune the bass guitar to standard tuning (EADG).
Step 2: Check the neck relief.
The neck relief is the amount of curvature in the neck of the bass guitar. To check the neck relief, place a capo on the first fret and press down on the string at the 12th fret. If there is a gap between the string and the 12th fret, the neck relief is too great. If the string is touching the 12th fret, the neck relief is too little. The ideal neck relief is a slight gap between the string and the 12th fret. If the neck relief is not correct, adjust it using the truss rod.
Step 3: Adjust the bridge saddles.
The bridge saddles are the pieces of metal that the strings rest on at the bridge. To adjust the bridge saddles, you will need a small Allen wrench. Loosen the screws on the bridge saddle that you want to adjust, and then move the saddle forward or backward until the note is in tune at the 12th fret. Once the saddle is in the correct position, tighten the screws back up.
Step 4: Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the intonation is correct on all four strings.
Step 5: Play the bass guitar and check the intonation at different frets.
If the intonation is not correct at all frets, you may need to adjust the bridge saddles again.
Tips:
- When adjusting the bridge saddles, make small adjustments and check the intonation at the 12th fret after each adjustment.
- If you are not sure how to adjust the neck relief or bridge saddles, you can take your bass guitar to a qualified technician.
- It is a good idea to check the intonation of your bass guitar regularly, especially if you are playing in different environments (e.g., hot and humid vs. cold and dry).
Here are some additional tips for setting intonation on a 4 string bass guitar:
- Make sure that the bridge is properly aligned. The bridge should be centered on the body of the bass guitar and the strings should be evenly spaced.
- Use a good quality tuner. A cheap tuner may not be accurate enough to set intonation properly.
- If you are having trouble getting the intonation correct on a particular string, try loosening the other strings. This can sometimes help to make it easier to adjust the saddle for the string that you are working on.
- Once you have adjusted the intonation for all four strings, play the bass guitar for a while and check the intonation again. The intonation may change slightly as the strings settle in.
With a little practice, you will be able to set the intonation on your 4 string bass guitar like a pro.