Intonation setup, lay flat or playing position?

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C1-ocaster

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When I do intonation I've always laid the guitar flat and then do the adjustments.

But after doing that with my new ESP E-II Eclipse, I was holding it in playing position and checked a couple strings.
They were off. Intonation was perfect when the guitar was laying flat, but not when in playing position.
So I redid it in playing position.

Seems it's a better method to intonate while in playing position cause that's how the guitar will be played.
Still I always see tech's laying the guitar's flat and intonating in that position.

Any insights, opinions, rational for which way you think is better or proper?
 
Good question. I always see techs setting it up with the guitar laying flat. My tech does it this way too.
 
it makes more sense to do it in playing position.
tuning also.
try it out, tune it while laying flat, put it in playing position and the guitar will be out of tune.
 
I set the intonation in a playing position with a really accurate tuner (Peterson Strobostomp)
 
I used set up my guitars on the space station, so I could work on them in mid air. It was the perfect situation. The trouble is, Chris Hadfield would always grab it when I was out of the room and tune it to drop D or get tang all over it. I kept having to redo them all of the time. When he started breaking up his space weed on my guitars, I figured it was more trouble than it was worth and went back to the bench
 
benduncan":1c00t9dr said:
I used set up my guitars on the space station, so I could work on them in mid air. It was the perfect situation. The trouble is, Chris Hadfield would always grab it when I was out of the room and tune it to drop D or get tang all over it. I kept having to redo them all of the time. When he started breaking up his space weed on my guitars, I figured it was more trouble than it was worth and went back to the bench
Click to expand...


:hys:
 
Play standing. I use a turbo tuner and pluck each string with my standard pressure. I the check at the 12 fret "fretted" using a pick. I don't use the harmonic anymore. Get a really accurate tuner and you will see why
 
It seems to depend on the guitar also. With my les pauls, it seems to not matter much. Laying flat or in playing position, it doesn't seem to change. But my PRS CE24 for example, if I tune it in playing position and them turn it on its back, it instantly falls out of tune, and then back in tune when turned back upright. I wonder if it has something to do with headstock angle, or fixed neck vs bolt on... Although I've never noticed changes with my telecaster...
 
iplayloudly":rqle6wjh said:
It seems to depend on the guitar also. With my les pauls, it seems to not matter much. Laying flat or in playing position, it doesn't seem to change. But my PRS CE24 for example, if I tune it in playing position and them turn it on its back, it instantly falls out of tune, and then back in tune when turned back upright. I wonder if it has something to do with headstock angle, or fixed neck vs bolt on... Although I've never noticed changes with my telecaster...
Click to expand...
Is this with a strobe tuner?
 
I agree that players position seems best, as that's what I experienced.
It's interesting that every tech I've seen does intonation while laying the guitar flat.

As for just tuning, it doesn't matter if the guitar is flat or in player position as it's in tune both ways.
But for general tuning I ALWAYS tune in players position. I just happened to notice it while doing intonation.
Seems this ESP's is only affected when setting intonation, but not general tuning.
I'm guessing it has to be due the way the weight shifts when the guitar is on it's side in players position vs laying flat.
There must be some slight shift in the neck depending on which way the guitar is oriented.
Also, I wonder if locking bridges are less affected as non locking?
My ESP doesn't have a locking bridge or tailpiece.

I'm going to recheck my Strat, Schecter, and PRS clone and see how they react.
The tuner I have is a decent general purpose tuner, but it's not a strobe.
 
As mentioned, playing position is the best way to do it. If for some reason you need to do it with the guitar laying down, make sure that the guitar is not supported by it's neck like it would be with most bench set-up stations. The neck should be free of any tension, even the small bit placed on it by resting on something.
 
C1-ocaster":3aw3hs9a said:
I agree that players position seems best, as that's what I experienced.
It's interesting that every tech I've seen does intonation while laying the guitar flat.

As for just tuning, it doesn't matter if the guitar is flat or in player position as it's in tune both ways.
But for general tuning I ALWAYS tune in players position. I just happened to notice it while doing intonation.
Seems this ESP's is only affected when setting intonation, but not general tuning.
I'm guessing it has to be due the way the weight shifts when the guitar is on it's side in players position vs laying flat.
There must be some slight shift in the neck depending on which way the guitar is oriented.
Also, I wonder if locking bridges are less affected as non locking?
My ESP doesn't have a locking bridge or tailpiece.

I'm going to recheck my Strat, Schecter, and PRS clone and see how they react.
The tuner I have is a decent general purpose tuner, but it's not a strobe.
Click to expand...


Well, I have never seen a professional tech into age a guitar flat. Ever on any stage for any artist. Techs at your local music store are typical self proclaimed...
 
moltenmetalburn":3d20fiu5 said:
C1-ocaster":3d20fiu5 said:
I agree that players position seems best, as that's what I experienced.
It's interesting that every tech I've seen does intonation while laying the guitar flat.

As for just tuning, it doesn't matter if the guitar is flat or in player position as it's in tune both ways.
But for general tuning I ALWAYS tune in players position. I just happened to notice it while doing intonation.
Seems this ESP's is only affected when setting intonation, but not general tuning.
I'm guessing it has to be due the way the weight shifts when the guitar is on it's side in players position vs laying flat.
There must be some slight shift in the neck depending on which way the guitar is oriented.
Also, I wonder if locking bridges are less affected as non locking?
My ESP doesn't have a locking bridge or tailpiece.

I'm going to recheck my Strat, Schecter, and PRS clone and see how they react.
The tuner I have is a decent general purpose tuner, but it's not a strobe.
Click to expand...


Well, I have never seen a professional tech into age a guitar flat. Ever on any stage for any artist. Techs at your local music store are typical self proclaimed...
Click to expand...

Yeah, those are the "tech's" I'm referring to. :)

Yes, if I lay the guitar flat the neck is not resting on anything.
But I think that might be part of the reason for the difference.
If the neck is not supported then it's relaxing back against the string tension, so the strings would be slightly sharp.
In player position the neck's weight isn't straightening it.
That's what I'm thinking unless someone offers a different explanation.
 
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