[ Concluding Post by OP ... see #56 Resolved ]
Sometimes having good tools to measure parameters can be damaging to ones’ mental health.
I’m reminded of an observation by a favorite college professor, “ I didn’t know I was poor as a kid until I took Economics in college!” Now that I can 'measure' my instruments tuning, the rabbit hole is enlarged...
My two “issues” have to do 1) with being in tune further up the fretboard, and 2) what I can best call a “thunk funk."
Three ‘ukes: 1- Fender Montecito (tenor); 2- Romero Creations Replica (Spruce/Mahogony tenor); 3-Romero ST Concert (spruce top/laminate body).
For all three instruments I used a Korg TM-60 for initial open string tuning (analog needle gauge with digital numeric display) and used the iOS App n-Track Tuner to measure the hz/cent variations. [FWIW, the App matched the Korg for the initial open string tuning.] All strings on each ‘uke have settled.
Starting with the STC, Worth strings (BL-lights). Open strings tuned gCEA to within ‘hundredths’ Hz on the initial pluck, slowly fading slightly flat after about 3 seconds. As I go up the fretboard things start going flat. Depending on the string, flat by 6-9 Cent. By the time I get to the 12th fret, flatness ranges from 16-27 Cent.
Initial setup was done by UkeRepublic. Action: 1st fret 1.0+; 12th fret 2.8 with the first fret being about 0.5mm high. A few individual frets are very slightly low at 3-4 sting locations, but no buzzing. In don’t think the setup included dressing the frets as some of the edges were a little rough as well and the included Romero strings were nicked near the saddle. The saddle on the g string also had a slight groove (you could hear a click when the string was moved from side to side. Finally, the bridge is set at the proper height and distance (with the 12th within 1 mm of center).
Now with the Romero Replica. GCEA (low G)- I started with Romero’s and switched to Clear Worths that had the same diameters as the Romero’s (I kept the Romero flat wound). I followed the same measuring process and the result was less ‘flatness’ at both the 5th and 12th frets. At the 5th the range was 5-7 Cent flat; at the 12th the range was 7-16 cent.
AND for the Montecito. Same Worth strings as the STC. Same process for measuring… Much better results. Within 5 Cent at the 5th (slightly sharp on the E & A). At the 12th fret the G and A were “remarkable” spot on and the middle two 4-6 Cent!
I understand that keeping intonation ‘close’ with shorter fretboards difficult. But with consistently flat intonation in this larger range I was hoping for advice on improving the deficit. Where do I start to ‘sharpen’ the notes as the scale increases. (obviously I’m keeping the ‘inferior’ Montecito as-is … wink)
The second issue has to do with what can best be described as a ‘thunk or thud-iness’ when moving up the fret board, starting at the 5th fret…. only on the C string.
The open string resonance on both the Romero ‘ukes is wonderful, sustaining for 4,5,6 seconds. But when I get to the 5th through 8-9th fret the sustain drops to about 2 seconds and it just sounds ‘dead’. It sounds similar to having your shirt sleeve touching the string ( it isn’t ). There is sufficient clearance at the next fret and I’m careful to press the string at either the middle or closer to the fret with the same thunk. Interestingly, the sustain starts to increase as I continue to move up the fretboard.
Any ideas? FWIW, I don’t get the same result when I play my grandson’s Enya HPL Soprano and Concert models.
Thanks for “listening” … here’s hoping for some ideas.
Stu
Sometimes having good tools to measure parameters can be damaging to ones’ mental health.
I’m reminded of an observation by a favorite college professor, “ I didn’t know I was poor as a kid until I took Economics in college!” Now that I can 'measure' my instruments tuning, the rabbit hole is enlarged...
My two “issues” have to do 1) with being in tune further up the fretboard, and 2) what I can best call a “thunk funk."
Three ‘ukes: 1- Fender Montecito (tenor); 2- Romero Creations Replica (Spruce/Mahogony tenor); 3-Romero ST Concert (spruce top/laminate body).
For all three instruments I used a Korg TM-60 for initial open string tuning (analog needle gauge with digital numeric display) and used the iOS App n-Track Tuner to measure the hz/cent variations. [FWIW, the App matched the Korg for the initial open string tuning.] All strings on each ‘uke have settled.
Starting with the STC, Worth strings (BL-lights). Open strings tuned gCEA to within ‘hundredths’ Hz on the initial pluck, slowly fading slightly flat after about 3 seconds. As I go up the fretboard things start going flat. Depending on the string, flat by 6-9 Cent. By the time I get to the 12th fret, flatness ranges from 16-27 Cent.
Initial setup was done by UkeRepublic. Action: 1st fret 1.0+; 12th fret 2.8 with the first fret being about 0.5mm high. A few individual frets are very slightly low at 3-4 sting locations, but no buzzing. In don’t think the setup included dressing the frets as some of the edges were a little rough as well and the included Romero strings were nicked near the saddle. The saddle on the g string also had a slight groove (you could hear a click when the string was moved from side to side. Finally, the bridge is set at the proper height and distance (with the 12th within 1 mm of center).
Now with the Romero Replica. GCEA (low G)- I started with Romero’s and switched to Clear Worths that had the same diameters as the Romero’s (I kept the Romero flat wound). I followed the same measuring process and the result was less ‘flatness’ at both the 5th and 12th frets. At the 5th the range was 5-7 Cent flat; at the 12th the range was 7-16 cent.
AND for the Montecito. Same Worth strings as the STC. Same process for measuring… Much better results. Within 5 Cent at the 5th (slightly sharp on the E & A). At the 12th fret the G and A were “remarkable” spot on and the middle two 4-6 Cent!
I understand that keeping intonation ‘close’ with shorter fretboards difficult. But with consistently flat intonation in this larger range I was hoping for advice on improving the deficit. Where do I start to ‘sharpen’ the notes as the scale increases. (obviously I’m keeping the ‘inferior’ Montecito as-is … wink)
The second issue has to do with what can best be described as a ‘thunk or thud-iness’ when moving up the fret board, starting at the 5th fret…. only on the C string.
The open string resonance on both the Romero ‘ukes is wonderful, sustaining for 4,5,6 seconds. But when I get to the 5th through 8-9th fret the sustain drops to about 2 seconds and it just sounds ‘dead’. It sounds similar to having your shirt sleeve touching the string ( it isn’t ). There is sufficient clearance at the next fret and I’m careful to press the string at either the middle or closer to the fret with the same thunk. Interestingly, the sustain starts to increase as I continue to move up the fretboard.
Any ideas? FWIW, I don’t get the same result when I play my grandson’s Enya HPL Soprano and Concert models.
Thanks for “listening” … here’s hoping for some ideas.
Stu
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