Your Guitar Intonation Guide (Illustrated, Step-By-Step)

• Find out how poor intonation can affect your guitar performance.
• Learn the simple and effective way of checking your guitar Intonation
• Understand the basic principles involved in re-setting your intonation

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Guitar Intonation is an often overlooked aspect of guitar tuning. In fact, poor intonation will significantly impact the accuracy and quality of your overall sound. Developing a good sound, or “tone,” is vital for any guitarist. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of guitar intonation, exploring what it is, why it matters, and how you can ensure your instrument is perfectly tuned.

If you find that your guitar is perfectly tuned when playing open chords, but your barre chords are going out of tune the further up the neck you play, then your intonation is likely out. The same is true if your lead playing goes out of key the further up the neck you play. 

If this problem sounds familiar to you, don’t worry. Intonation can be fixed by adjusting the length of each individual string. Read on and discover how to fix the issue. 

Understanding Intonation: Why It Matters

A well-played guitar will evoke emotions, create memories, and capture the essence of music in a way few other instruments can. Yet, achieving that perfect sound requires more than skillful strumming or nimble fingerpicking. Your guitar set-up is a key factor in your sound, and intonation is a critical element of your guitar set-up. 

Intonation refers to the accuracy of a guitar’s fretted notes along the entire length of the fretboard. When a guitar is properly intonated, playing a note at one end of the fretboard should sound just as in tune as playing the same note at the other end. In other words, intonation ensures that chords sound harmonious and melodies are perfectly in tune, regardless of where you’re playing on the neck.

Incorrect intonation can lead to dissonant chords and sour notes. Imagine strumming a beautiful open chord, only to find certain notes sound off-key higher up the neck. Poor intonation is frustrating for you and hampers your ability to stay in key with your band. Dissonance and poor tuning negatively affect the overall listening experience for your audience, too. Checking and adjusting your intonation will help you play more confidently and make the whole experience more enjoyable. 

Adjusting Guitar Intonation: Step-By-Step

Checking your guitar’s intonation is crucial in maintaining its optimal playability. Thankfully, it’s a relatively simple process that requires a tuner, a screwdriver (for electric guitars), and a bit of patience. 

What Am I Adjusting?

The first thing to understand is that correct intonation is achieved by adjusting the length of a string under tension. Look at your guitar and locate the two points where the strings connect to your guitar. 

At the headstock end, the strings sit on the “nut.” They will likely sit on individual saddles (electric and electro-acoustic guitars) or a one-piece bone saddle at the bridge end. (Acoustic models).

Each string sits on these two key points when your guitar is tuned.
The distance between these two points is adjusted to set your intonation.

How To Check Your Intonation 

1. Tune Up: Before diving into the intonation adjustments, ensure your guitar is properly tuned. Use a reliable tuner to ensure each string is at the correct pitch.

2. Open Notes: Begin by playing the open string – a string played without pressing down any frets. Compare the pitch of the open string note to the corresponding note at the 12th fret. If these two notes are in perfect harmony, your intonation is likely spot on for that string. However, if there’s a discrepancy, adjustments are needed. (You can also play the twelfth note harmonic against the fretted 12 fret to hear any difference in pitch). 

3. If your fretted note is sharp – You need to lengthen the string. (Move the saddle further away from the nut). That will mean using a small Phillips head screwdriver to turn the screws clockwise on an electric guitar. A half-turn at a time is enough. Keep adjusting the screw until the discrepancy is gone.   

4. If your fretted note is sharp – You need to shorten the string. (Move the saddle closer to the nut). That will mean using the screwdriver to turn the screws anti-clockwise on an electric guitar. A half-turn at a time is enough. Keep adjusting the screw until the discrepancy is gone.

5. Acoustic Guitars – Adjusting intonation on an acoustic guitar can be a little daunting. You must file the saddle until the highest point has shifted off the center to change the length between the nut and saddle. Filing saddles is a delicate task, and it is easy to overdo the adjustment to the point of having to replace the saddle and start over.  

When setting intonation on my Gibson Songbird, I always send it to a professional luthier. (I use Tom Anfield Guitars in Devon). However, I am completely confident when setting the intonation on my Stratocaster.

The Physics of Intonation

Setting a guitar’s intonation might sound like a complex task, but the principles behind it are rooted in simple physics. When a string is pressed down onto a fret, it shortens the vibrating length of the string, effectively increasing its pitch. The goal of intonation adjustments is to ensure that this change in pitch is accurately compensated for along the entire length of the neck.

The adjustable saddles play a pivotal role in achieving proper intonation. Moving the saddles closer to or farther away from the neck alters the length of each string’s vibrating portion. This adjustment directly impacts the note’s pitch when a string is fretted.

How Often Should I Adjust My Intonation?

It is important to understand that intonation isn’t a one-time task. Factors such as changes in string gauge, humidity, and temperature can all influence a guitar’s intonation over time. Therefore, checking and adjusting your guitar’s intonation periodically is recommended, especially after significant environmental or string-type changes. (Particularly when changing the gauge of your strings).

Wrapping Up 

Guitar intonation is integral to achieving impeccable sound quality and guitar playability. The harmony of chords and the resonance of melodies heavily rely on the accuracy of intonation. Regularly checking and adjusting your guitar’s intonation ensures that your instrument remains in tune and produces the beautiful tones it was designed to create. While electric guitars are relatively simple to check and adjust, you may want help with your acoustic.   

Whether a novice guitarist or a seasoned player, paying attention to this often-overlooked detail will elevate your playing experience and captivate your audience.

FAQ

How do I know if my guitar needs intonation?

Your guitar will be in tune when playing open chords or notes at the neck end but will gradually go out of tune as you play further up the neck. 

Does changing guitar strings affect intonation?

You will likely need to check and reset intonation when you change the gauge of strings. Whenever you are changing strings, it is good practice to use the opportunity to check your intonation. 

Should I adjust intonation myself?

Most people find adjusting the saddles on an electric guitar a simple process. Acoustic guitars with one-piece, bone saddles are a challenge. If you are adept at filing and craftsmanship, you will likely be OK. If in doubt, always consult a professional guitar tech or luthier before making any adjustments.