Intonation

[Tom Cannon]

Intonation is critical on electric bass with an adjustable bridge. Intonation can be dialed in setting the 12th fret harmonic to match the fretted note at the same 12th fret. Why do I not hear intonation discussed when I’m instructed to set my double bass bridge @ centered with the f-holes? Is this just, understood, give and take?

 

[JKos]

Because there are no frets, no fret markers, no fret lines.

Your ears and fingers determine the intonation.

 

[Tom Cannon]

Because there are no frets, no fret markers, no fret lines.

Your ears and fingers determine the intonation.

Yes, you are correct! I’m OCD and I like to know the octave harmonic is half way between the bridge and the nut, in tune all the way up, is my thinking.

 

[JKos]

I like to know the octave harmonic is half way between the bridge and the nut

That will always be true.

 

[Lynn Seaton]

I agree with JKos. Thank you for posting! The harmonic series means that the octave harmonc will always be in the middle between the nut and bridge. The distance from the nut to the bridge determines the string length so the notes will be in different spacings depending on that distance. Here is a nice harmonic chart from The Modern Double Bass: Harmonics - charts

 

[Tom Cannon]

I agree with JKos. Thank you for posting! The harmonic series means that the octave harmonc will always be in the middle between the nut and bridge. The distance from the nut to the bridge determines the string length so the notes will be in different spacings depending on that distance. Here is a nice harmonic chart from The Modern Double Bass: Harmonics - charts

Thank you! I play a J-bass, ie frets, some fretless and The Big Daddy. Thank God I have ears, technique. and (both sides of my brain @70)still work...playing since ‘59...