Paul,

I think you are over-thinking this. When
intonating a fretted instrument, matching the 12th
fret fretted note to the 12th fret harmonic is
simply how it is done. Period. Take your
instrument to any luthier or tech, and this is
what they will do.

Yes, this does assume the string is perfect, or
very close. It also assumes the fret is in exactly
the right place, in good shape, and that the
instrument can actually be intonated. Some can't,
due to poor construction. I've seen instruments
that had the bridge placed wrong, or the neck
pocket cut wrong, or the nut slot cut wrong. These
could not be intonated.

Then there are the ones that have been damaged,
whatever the cause. Warped necks, necks with
reverse bows, or even just frets that are too
badly worn. These could not be intonated, though,
granted, much of this is more of a general setup
problem. Proper setup is the first step in
intonation.

But people have been building fretted instruments,
and making strings for a very long time. I have
been intonating and setting up my own instruments,
and those of friends and customers for over thirty
years now. From otherwise sound instruments, I
have gotten wacky results once or twice. In each
case, I assumed the string was at fault, and in
each case I was right. Changing the string always
fixed it.

If you have a quality instrument that is not
damaged or worn out, and use quality strings, you
will almost never have a problem. And, if you do,
change the string, then call up the company that
made the first string, and complain, :)

Kelly

This 'mass defect' phenomenon has caused mass debate.....methinks! :)

Yup. :)

I think you are over-thinking this. When
intonating a fretted instrument, matching the 12th
fret fretted note to the 12th fret harmonic is
simply how it is done. Period.

Thanks Kelly ...
I knew I could count on someone
who knows ALL the piano notes!