Peterson VS-R StroboRack User Manual

Page 25

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25

Setting Guitar & Bass Intonation Using Your Peterson StroboRack

After deciding on string gauge, setting string height (nut & bridge), neck relief, and all other factors that affect the guitar’s intonation considerably, the individual string
lengths need to be adjusted. For this task, use Equal temperament in the StroboRack’s SWT menu.

 Lower the pickups away from the strings to avoid "doubling" and electromagnetic pull.
 Lay the guitar flat on a bench to adjust it, but always check the intonation with the instrument in the playing position, as the readings will be visibly (and later

audibly) different. You should always aim to freeze or "cage" the image on the strobe tuner display; the less movement the more accurate the results.

A common technique in setting the intonation is the 12th fret & flageolet comparison method. In this method, the flageolet or "harmonic" of the 12th fret is compared
to the fretted string at the 12th fret, and saddle position is adjusted as follows:

 If the fretted note is flat compared to the flageolet note, move the bridge saddle forward to shorten the string.

 If the fretted note is sharp compared to the flageolet note, move the bridge saddle back to lengthen the string.
 Adjust until both fretted note and flageolet are identical in pitch.

While this is a common system, it is not always the most satisfactory.

One popular alternative is to adjust each string so that it is in tune at two points an octave apart from each other on the fret board using a strobe tuner. Using the 5th
and 17th fret as an example:

 Tune a string at the 5th fret.

 Check the string at the 17th. If sharp, move the saddle back, thus lengthening the string. If flat, shorten the string by moving the saddle forward. Remember

to fret the string using the pressure that you would normally apply while playing.

 Keep repeating this process until each string is in tune as much as possible at both the 5th and 17th frets.

This method takes time, and has to be repeated if you change string gauges, but if properly executed, it yields very satisfactory results.

Now, depending on your own taste, tune your guitar using one of the StroboRack’s many Sweeteners

TM

. Find out how your instrument can really sound!

The methods described above are within anybody's reach. All you need are your ears and your

peterson

strobe tuner!

Please note that we have not referred to any method involving structural changes to the instrument. These are best discussed with a professional instrument technician.

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