Intonation issues - how can this happen?

[KazJY]

I have a 61 SG RI that I recently had set up (3 months ago seems recent for me...).

I started getting a bit of a buzz with the weather getting colder, so I loosened the truss a bit to my liking. The intonation got so bad, that I changed strings after a week so I'd have a fresh set (thinking my strings might've been so old, as I bought them on clearance and they were dead as heck when I put em on), and moved the truss back to where it was - The intonation is just awful now - forget playing above the 12th fret. I have a TonePros bridge and tailpiece on the guitar as well, locked down. How could the intonation go out so much? Could adjusting the truss rod have done that?

(You repair guys must love people like me, messing up their instruments weekly... haha)

[dankayaker]

Absolutely . . .adjusting the truss rod effects the the intonation by shortening or lengthening the neck (bowing or straightening).

[KazJY]

Ah, I would have just left it alone, as I have enough to play (I can probably do the intonation myself anyhow).

Thanks (and boy is my face red)

[Rosewood]

The neck adjustment shouldn't make that much difference, some yes, but not like something is really out of whack. This wouldn't be DR strings by chance? The tune-o matic bridges on some of these guitars can change greatly because of the crappy/sloppy bridge studs. I say start over with a good set of strings and setup.

[KazJY]

it got really bad, I mean above the 12th fret-fuhgeddabout it, seriously. No - not DR Strings (learned my lesson there already). Dean Markleys. yeah, might have to take it in for a set up. I want to see what I can do with the intonation. financially, it might have to wait in it's case until January.

[Kingbeegtrs]

if it played fine prior to the truss-rod adjustment than it is highly likely that your adjustment is to blame.

Is it cracked at the joint where the headstock meets the neck? even a very tiny hairline crack?

[fullerplast]

SG's are more sensitive than many guitars to truss rod adjustments because the whole neck is basically unsupported, so it can flex it's entire length.

Set your relief and bridge height the way you want it, then intonate each string as the last step. There are lots of "how to" tutorials on this, and it is easy for you to do yourself. You'll be better off knowing how, even if it takes you a while to dial it in perfectly. You may need to repeat this seasonally.

[KazJY]

if it played fine prior to the truss-rod adjustment than it is highly likely that your adjustment is to blame.

Is it cracked at the joint where the headstock meets the neck? even a very tiny hairline crack?

no crack whatsoever. Though it wouldn't be a bad thing. I have an SG special that had a crack, and when the neck finally gave way one summer, the re-glue helped the guitar resonate real nice.

SG's are more sensitive than many guitars to truss rod adjustments because the whole neck is basically unsupported, so it can flex it's entire length.

Set your relief and bridge height the way you want it, then intonate each string as the last step. There are lots of "how to" tutorials on this, and it is easy for you to do yourself. You'll be better off knowing how, even if it takes you a while to dial it in perfectly. You may need to repeat this seasonally.


I took it in to my tech, and asked how far along I was with making it better (and not worse). I had too much relief in the neck. I am going to see how it is when I get it back, take measurements, and keep up on it. I think I just need to start with a good setup, and go from there. Relief, Bridge Height, and then intonation. I should be able to handle that, seriously.

Thanks for all the posts!