Bass String out of tune

[loocm]

Hi!

I have a problem with my 4-string bass guitar. When I press the first fret of 4th string (E string) to produce the "F" note, it is 1/2 a pitch higher as indicated on my guitar tuner. However, when I tune the E-string and press the 12th fret of the 4th sting, it is in tune.

How do I go about solving this problem?

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[itzs]

Check that the fretted note on the 12th fret is the same as the harmonic on the 12th fret. If this is out, you need to adjust the intonation.

 

[alanchia]

the intonation is adjusted by moving the saddle (at the bridge). moving towards neck brings the tone pitch higher, moving towards the bridge brings the tone pitch lower.

 

[Indigo_blues]

you need to get a small screwdriver to adjust the bridge.

 

[lordie]

if the bridge is a bit stiff, spray some WD-40

 

[exin]

Your nut might be too high such that when you press down the F note on your E string it goes out. You might want to consider sending it for a setup ... just some possibilities .. still, do check out and troubleshoot ...

 

[Morlock]

also check if the neck is bowing.

 

[lordie]

a slight bow of the neck is fine

 

[alongday]

send to mike from Standard Value, and he can get the set up done for like i think 30 bucks?

 

[shinobi]

wow this guy asked for a simple diagnosis and ppl are going the whole 9 yards. ppl in the bass forum desperate for more action man :mrgreen:

you might as well slowly read this page
http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/setupmanual.html

i know that for some ppl reading is not their 'thing' so youtube is also recommended.

 

[alanchia]

else bass forum very boring and empty without posting. lol

 

[Morlock]

Looks like everyone is waiting for someone to post anything interesting lol no new posts for the past few days now

 

[alanchia]

yeah lor yeah lor.

anyway threadstarter, any update for us regarding your bass? what actions taken? it's good to share as we can learn from it since it could be a unique situation which we might have overlooked.

 

[alongday]

the bass threads are always so slowWww...

 

[Indigo_blues]

here's a pic of my sadowsky to spice things up...

 

[alanchia]

here's a pic of my sadowsky to spice things up...

should create a new thread for this leh!

 

[Indigo_blues]

should create a new thread for this leh!

Haha there's an old thread already..

 

[ehque]

If your 12th fret intonation is ok, but your first fret is sharp, it's a good chance your nut is cut too high (not cut deep enough). In fact many factory basses come that way.

You can either file it down yourself or bring it into a shop. Getting a new nut is no point, as you will need to file that down too.

And here's my bass to spice up the thread!