P Bass Intonation

JezWynd

I've just intonated a P Bass after tweaking truss rod and I get this -



I've never come across a D string that needed to be longer than the E. Am I doing something wrong, could it be a faulty string or is it usual and it's just I've never come across it before?

I've double checked the tunings using a couple of different tuners, including iStrobe, Snark and a Boss TU80 that I usually use for fine tuning. They all agree (though Snark is v poor for this task).

ICBM

Is the D string single-wound over a very thick core? That would intonate like that... the intonation is determined mostly by the core thickness not the overall string gauge, so changes in the number of wraps - most thicker bass strings are at least double-wound - can produce 'reverse' changes in intonation like that.

If it intonates correctly at all fret positions both according to the tuner and when you're playing it, there isn't likely to be anything wrong with it.

JezWynd

I don't know the makeup of the strings, they're those budget Olympic flats from Amazon. First time I've used them. But, yes, it seems to be in tune at all frets, so i guess it's okay. Don't think |I'll use these strings again though. I had intended to use an old set from my Ric (now sadly departed) but of course discovered that I'd trimmed the G to Ric length headstock. Hence emergency purchase.

ICBM

JezWynd said:

my Ric (now sadly departed)

Be gone! I curse you!!!

Funkfingers

JezWynd said:

my Ric (now sadly departed)

Infidel. Heretic. Burn the witch! 

JezWynd

Yeah , I was playing mostly fretless and it wasn't getting used. I did try a fretless Ric but it didn't work for me (I much prefer the S models with rounded bodies). But then I soon missed having a fretted bass.Fretless works for me once I've learned a part on a fretted, but learning something new on fretless is beyond me.

Funkfingers

For me, RIC 4001/4003 is a reference sound. I use it for recording Projects whenever it sits right in the arrangement.

The other aspect is the physical layout of the thing. It makes some moves possible that would not fall under the fingers on a Fender-derived design.

For many years, my only bass guitar was a late Seventies factory fretless Precision Bass. I agree that the fretless RIC bass guitars are an oddity.

fretmeister

If it's in tune I wouldn't worry.

The only cheap flats I ever liked were Piccato ones, but I'm not sure they are still in business.

ICBM

JezWynd said:

I did try a fretless Ric but it didn't work for me

Funkfingers said:

I agree that the fretless RIC bass guitars are an oddity.

Fretless Ricks don't work for me either - there's just something not right about them.

JezWynd

ICBM said:

JezWynd said:

I did try a fretless Ric but it didn't work for me

Funkfingers said:

I agree that the fretless RIC bass guitars are an oddity.

Fretless Ricks don't work for me either - there's just something not right about them.

The gloss finish on the fretboard and the standard fretted dot markers were a real turn off for me.

ICBM

I’m not even sure it’s that, it’s just an inherent wrongness that can’t quite be described, like a fretted upright bass.

Funkfingers

They don't clank or fart like a fretted RIC. They don't go neeeoinnng like Jaco or Pino.