Intonation, bridge placement

Joonas · 11:26AM

I changed strings on my Altamira for the first time and because the bridge moved slightly while changing the strings I decided to check with a tuner and noticed that the best intonation point is about 2mm back from the inner edge of the moustaches. In the "perfectly aligned with the moustaches" position the notes on the 12th fret are slightly sharp. So I moved the bridge back, but this increased the fret buzz on the lower strings slightly.

I didn't hear the sharpness with my ears before but then my ears are like they are. I've read that human ears in general tolerate a sound better that is slightly lower than what is slightly sharp. Also you can't bend a note to a pitch from sharp. Should I try to shim the bridge to raise the string height?

The problem is not big, if it's even a problem at all, but I'd like to get the best result I can.

paulmcevoy75 · 12:55PM

I think a lot of gypsy guitars probably intonate better in places out of line with the moustaches, and you see that sometimes. I use the TE Tuner app (my fav) and get the open string and the 12th fret note to be as close to perfectly in tune as possible. If the 12th fret is sharp, move it towards the tailpiece, if it's flat move it towards the nut. Or the other way around...I forget sometimes.

Of note, you need to do it on the high E and low E separately, so your bridge might be a little crooked as well. Not too many gypsy bridges are intonated string to string, so you may have some weirdness in the middle strings.

I don't like the notes flat or sharp, I like them perfect, ideally.

You could shim your bridge a bit to get the height correct at the properly intonated spot, sure.

Joonas · 3:06PM

Thanks @paulmcevoy75 ! I'll probably try shimming the bridge and see what it'll do, is it going to be better or worse, except I'll look for the right material, I don't want to use coins like Jimmy Rosenberg did in that movie.