Kayak Jim
Well-known member
OK I understand "set up" to mean (or at least include):
- checking/adjusting nut and saddle heights so strings are the optimal distance above the frets, aka "the action" (which I understand to be somewhere around 0.8 mm at first fret, 3 mm at 12th)
- checking/leveling frets to avoid any high or low ones that would tend to cause buzzing
- checking fret ends for sharp edges, other clean up type jobs
So lowering the strings will shorten the amount of string deflection required to fret the string, thus reducing the bending of the string sharp, thus improving the intonation impact. If action is as low as possible (without buzzing), intonation is also optimized (from a string bending standpoint).
Is there anything else a luthier (or set up tech) can do to improve intonation up the neck? Isn't it primarily a function of where the frets are installed, thus determined by build quality? So during set up, once the action is set, one can check the intonation but not correct it.
Sorry if this post is a bit anal. It's the engineer in me. Blow any or all of the above out of the water if I've got it wrong. I'm just trying to understand.
Jim B
- checking/adjusting nut and saddle heights so strings are the optimal distance above the frets, aka "the action" (which I understand to be somewhere around 0.8 mm at first fret, 3 mm at 12th)
- checking/leveling frets to avoid any high or low ones that would tend to cause buzzing
- checking fret ends for sharp edges, other clean up type jobs
So lowering the strings will shorten the amount of string deflection required to fret the string, thus reducing the bending of the string sharp, thus improving the intonation impact. If action is as low as possible (without buzzing), intonation is also optimized (from a string bending standpoint).
Is there anything else a luthier (or set up tech) can do to improve intonation up the neck? Isn't it primarily a function of where the frets are installed, thus determined by build quality? So during set up, once the action is set, one can check the intonation but not correct it.
Sorry if this post is a bit anal. It's the engineer in me. Blow any or all of the above out of the water if I've got it wrong. I'm just trying to understand.
Jim B