Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brian Revels on May 28, 2016 at 1:31pm

Is this for a fretted instrument?  It's actually the same way you do if using a traditional nut.

- I first tune up.
- I check the harmonics at the 12th fret.
- If they ring true then I fret the twelfth fret.
* If it is sharp then I move the bride back (if able to) or I try to lower the strings at the bridge. 
* It is flat, then I do the opposite (try to move the bridge closer to the neck).

I do this for all of the strings. If you fret other frets and they are off once you get this set... then it could be your action is still too high (and by fretting you are pulling the notes sharp), or your frets could be off a bit.

Hopefully this helps.  I have gotten to where I use a pop-rivet post for a nut on my fretted builds.  It's cheap, convenient, and lends itself to fairly low action for me.

Permalink Reply by gene warmouth on May 29, 2016 at 1:29am

thank you for your help .

Permalink Reply by Ron Ruhs on May 28, 2016 at 1:32pm

Gene -
Should be the same process as a guitar with a nut. The zero fret becomes the nut as far as scale length is concerned (and matching the open string to the 12th fret) and the nut is only there to guide the strings in that case.

Ron 

Permalink Reply by gene warmouth on May 29, 2016 at 1:30am

thank you for your help .

Permalink Reply by Fomhorach on May 28, 2016 at 10:16pm

Intonation is set at the bridge when you use a zero fret.

Permalink Reply by gene warmouth on May 29, 2016 at 1:30am

thank you

Permalink Reply by MadGomer on May 29, 2016 at 6:31am

Zero fret to 12th fret is half of the scale length. Place bridge at 2X of that length and dial her in from there as other posters suggest.

Permalink Reply by gene warmouth on May 30, 2016 at 1:24am

thank you