To turn intonation screws, you will need a small Allen wrench. The size of the Allen wrench will vary depending on the make and model of your guitar or bass.
To adjust the intonation of a string, loosen the screws on the bridge saddle for that string. 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.
Which way to turn the screws depends on whether the note is sharp or flat:
- If the note is sharp, turn the screws clockwise to shorten the string and bring the pitch down.
- If the note is flat, turn the screws counterclockwise to lengthen the string and bring the pitch up.
Here are some additional tips for adjusting intonation:
- Make small adjustments and check the intonation at the 12th fret after each adjustment.
- If you are not sure whether the note is sharp or flat, use a tuner.
- 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 guitar or bass 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 adjust the intonation on your guitar or bass like a pro.
