Do you need to re-intonate when you de-tune?

[gandolf203]

As per the title, I usually play in standard tuning, and have my guitar intonated for such. I'm playing in a different band who tune down one half step. When I de-tune, my intonation seems to go. You would think the string length does not change, so tuning down shouldn't matter.

[russ6100]

The string length can change though.

Less tension on the neck due to de-tuning can put a little more relief in the neck (forward bow), thus slightly shortening the string length between the nut and bridge.

On some guitars this phenom is so slight as to be not noticeable but it depends on the stability of your neck, the amount you de-tune, string guage and a bunch of other factors.

[daddyo]

You probably should if you have ears like Kimock but who does? Unless the axe was permanently detuned.

[KRosser]

If it was going to spend some time detuned, I'd check it anyway

[uncletele]

Most guys who detune go up a step in string guage. That will help you stay in tune because your hands are use to the string tension in standand and when you detune, you are probably pushing or bending the strings out of tune. I use .011's in standard tuning on my Tele, but if I detruned a whole step I'd go to .012's.