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Thread: D string intonation

  1. #1

    Default D string intonation

    Why would intonation of one of the two D strings be off?

    It makes sense to me that both might be off for some reason, but why one and not the other?

    It is solid in D, but one of the two strings becomes sharper up the neck, while the other stays solid. WTF?!

  2. #2

    Default Re: D string intonation

    My best guess would be that the nut is filed unevenly so that one of your D-strings is sitting slightly higher off the fretboard than the other. If this is the case, then they will sound fine when plucked together open, but when you fret them one of them has to stretch further which will raise its frequency slightly above the other. A similar problem of uneven height could be caused by a faulty bridge too.

    Other less likely issues I can think of are uneven frets, or maybe your fretting technique for whatever reason tends to slightly sharpen one of the strings.

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  4. #3

    Default Re: D string intonation

    Thanks! The filing issue sounds the more likely to me than the frets as you mention it, since the issue doesn't fluctuate, but gets consistently sharper down the string.

    Thanks!

  5. #4
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    Default Re: D string intonation

    It could just be a bad string. I would change strings before doing anything else.

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  7. #5
    Registered User John Kelly's Avatar
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    Default Re: D string intonation

    Phillipe. another, admittedly rare, possiblilty is that you have a rogue string! Modern strings are very consistently made but once in a while you might get a faulty one.
    I'm playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order. - Eric Morecambe

    http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOldBores

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  9. #6

    Default Re: D string intonation

    Interesting! I hadn't considered the string possibility! I'll start there. Thank you John and Steve!

  10. #7
    Registered User TheMandoKit's Avatar
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    Default Re: D string intonation

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Mead View Post
    It could just be a bad string. I would change strings before doing anything else.
    Quote Originally Posted by John Kelly View Post
    Phillipe. another, admittedly rare, possiblilty is that you have a rogue string! Modern strings are very consistently made but once in a while you might get a faulty one.
    Quote Originally Posted by PhillipeTaylor View Post
    Interesting! I hadn't considered the string possibility! I'll start there. Thank you John and Steve!
    Definitely start here. I had a similar problem a few years back with A strings in a set of FTs with a wound A. Checked nut, frets, bridge, neck relief, but nothing amiss. Changed the strings, and--like magic--problem solved.
    Kit
    Guitars, Mandos, Violins, Dulcimers, Cats

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  12. #8

    Default Re: D string intonation

    Hey, it gives you that warbling tone for free, no need to buy a chorus pedal! Seriously, I'm betting on the string too. Seems highly unlikely a nut slot could be high enough to alter the intonation. I think you would notice it when playing if they weren't level.

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  14. #9
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    Default Re: D string intonation

    Make sure your nut slots are filed with an angle back towards the tuners. This assures a clean break at the edge of the nut. It can make a big difference in intonation.

    Second, make sure your strings are legitimate. I spoke with a D’Addario employee who told me they are constantly on the lookout for counterfeits of their strings. The cheap strings shipped with Chinese-built instruments are usually shockingly bad. YMMV.

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  16. #10

    Default Re: D string intonation

    Thank you everybody for the help!

    I changed the string, and what do you know? It fixed it! (whew).

    Thanks again for all your help. Mandolin cafe rocks!

  17. #11
    Registered User TheMandoKit's Avatar
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    Default Re: D string intonation

    Always satisfying when a (relatively) cheap solution is the correct one.

    Glad it worked out.

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