Intonation off on Stringmaster

[Pete Martin]

I've got a 56 Stringmaster tuned to g a# C# E F# A C# E. In other words, my highest 6 strings are normal A6 tuning and my lowest 2 are an octave plus half step above normal 8 string A6 (F# and A).

When I place the bar over my lowest (8th) string right above the 8th fret, the note that should be D# is more than 50 cents sharp!! Playing my lowest 3 strings together gives me a B7 triad, the notes A D# and F#. That D# that far out of tune is very painful. The other notes are in tune, under 5 cents off.

Is there something in the nut and bridge that having a much thinner than normal string there does to the string length, thus giving me that intonation problem? Or anyone think it is something else?

All other strings intonation seem fine, except when I'm playing them

Thanks!

Pete

[Noah Miller]

The problem with an adjustable bridge on a steel is just that: it's adjustable. On a 22.5" neck, the top of the saddle should be exactly 22.5" from the edge of the nut. If it isn't, move it until it is.

That said, the bridge would actually have to be slanted to have better intonation on some strings than others. That's possible, but it's also possible that the strings are old and not playing ball. That might happen without giving a visual clue. If you position the bridge correctly and still have issues, I would replace all the strings.