bearbike137
Well-known member
As a lifelong guitar player who does my own set-ups (including cutting saddles), I am well-versed in intonation. For example, I know that all else being equal, a thicker gauge string will fret sharper at the 12th fret than a thinner gauge string made of the same material. A lower tension string will fret flatter, etc.
However, ukueles? Good golly. They are beasts unto themselves when it comes to intonation. For example, Oasis offers two options for a Tenor: a Bright set and a Warm set. The only difference is the dimensions of the 1st and 4th strings - the Warm set having thicker string dimensions. Otherwise, the material appear to be the same (although I have no idea as to the density specs of the materials).
Strangely, the thicker Oasis 1st string (.230") actually frets flatter at the 12th fret than the thinner (.215") 1st string. Very weird. I don't see any real effect of the string swap on the neck relief - so I have no idea what causes this.
I now routinely "roll" different sets of strings on my ukes in order to find the best mix of tone and intonation. The difference between different string sets is often simply amazing.
I love ukuleles - but they are strange little creatures!
However, ukueles? Good golly. They are beasts unto themselves when it comes to intonation. For example, Oasis offers two options for a Tenor: a Bright set and a Warm set. The only difference is the dimensions of the 1st and 4th strings - the Warm set having thicker string dimensions. Otherwise, the material appear to be the same (although I have no idea as to the density specs of the materials).
Strangely, the thicker Oasis 1st string (.230") actually frets flatter at the 12th fret than the thinner (.215") 1st string. Very weird. I don't see any real effect of the string swap on the neck relief - so I have no idea what causes this.
I now routinely "roll" different sets of strings on my ukes in order to find the best mix of tone and intonation. The difference between different string sets is often simply amazing.
I love ukuleles - but they are strange little creatures!