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Hello,

I'm dangerously close to finishing my first build (queue Handel's Messiah). I'm following the Robert O'Brien videos and I'm on the video where he covers intonation and setting the right angle on the back edge of the saddle. I followed the steps he outlines using a small piece of string cutoff and moved it around until the intonation was correct and marked it. Pretty much the angle brings it right up to the front edge of the saddle. This all worked well for the low E - B strings. On the high E I have something strange going on. When I play the open high E the tuner (a basic Snark) shows E right on the money. However, the 12th fret harmonic bounces between E (just slightly flat) and A. Also, when I fret the 12th the tuner bounces between E and A.

The other strings play just flat or dead on when on the harmonic and fretted 12th, and are showing the correct E, A, D, G, B.

I don't have any experience with this so I'm guessing.... is there some type of overtone or maybe a vibration or ....? that would be causing the tuner to read A?

Thanks!
Brad

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You need something better than a Snark to set intonation. They are fine for general tuning (I have 2), but they just don't have the range for the job of intonation.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Use the fretted 12th, not the harmonic for setting intonation.

Are you muting the other 5 strings.........?
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

Thanks, Chris. Do you have a recommendation? Something like this?

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Korg/Wi-Tun ... c-Tuner.gc

Thanks!
Brad

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Thanks, Tom. Well now I'm embarrassed. Yes, if I mute the other strings lightly the issue goes away. Thanks for the tip!

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Brad,
Download the iStroboSoft app on your phone. It is excellent and only $10.

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Formerly know as Mandodiddle.

I agree -- they have one for Android too at Google Play.

I am one of those that paid $100 plus for this (very similar) just a few years back.

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

Thanks for the feedback, Bill and Ken. I grabbed the app for my phone and I can use that 90 bucks to buy some tonewood!

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Not to dwell on it but in case you missed it on the previous post above...use a fretted 12th fret not the harmonic when intonating.

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Blue Ring Acoustics
blueringacoustics.ca

Thanks!

In the Robert O'Brien video he does all three, the open, fretted at the 12th and the harmonic and tries to dial them in to be as close as possible. Bad idea?

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Harmonic is a useless and unnecessary complication, It will always be near the octave regardless of saddle break point.

I use iStroboSoft app as well - tough to beat for $10.