How does raising the bridge affect the intonation?

skrapasor

I have a Jaguar HH Special with the adjusto-matic bridge. On several of my strings, the 12th fret pitch is higher than the 12th fret harmonic, and I can't move the saddles back any more. If I raise the bridge, will that make the 12th fret pitch sound closer to or further from the 12th fret harmonic?

jacksonjackass

Raising it will have the effect of moving the saddles further back, but you don't want really high action

skrapasor

What about raising the tailpiece?

jacksonjackass

Raising the tailpice won't do anything 😉

skrapasor

Why don't I want high action?

jacksonjackass

High action is when the strings are a million miles of the fretboard 😵

You really want it low or you get a lot of string noise. But low action comes with buzz, so get a buzz stop to raise the tension a bit and get it set up by a good tech

JaguarOW

some players prefer high action, alot prefer it to be lower, id suggest trying raising the bridge and see how it works out, worst case scenario you just lower it again

Fran

It will make the tuning sharp but when you retune the old problem will be there. My Toronado wont intonate perfectly, i sort of learnt to live with it but if it bothers you that much there are tune-o-matic bridges that can be adjusted on the posts. Forwards or backwards.

Alden guitars use them but im not sure where you can purchase them.

ModNuB

What size strings are you using??? My duo wouldn't intonate properly until I used 12s w/ a wound G (which also sound/play better imo on shortscales). Worth a shot cause it will only cost you the price of a set of strings.

skrapasor

I use 11s. I used to use 12s and even 13s, and I will use one of those next time I change strings, which will be soon now. I knew that Jaguars were more suited for heavier strings, but I didn't know that meant 12s and 13s until I read it on the forums. So why does that change the intonation?

jacksonjackass

Brands can be a big problem. Dean markeleys have real problems with intonation. Ernie ball is the best for me.

I use 11s myself

tragictravisty

larger strings are sharper. raise the bridge and shim the neck. mine won't intonate either...