The Best Guitar For You – Part 3

There are several different ways to test whether or not the intonation is okay on an instrument you may interested in buying. Here is one method I often use…

1. Tune the guitar
2. While holding an E major chord at the first fret, strum one string at a time.
3. Listen to the tone of each string.
4. Do the tones blend? Does the guitar still sound in tune? If so…
5. Move to an F major barre chord and repeat the process.

Continue this process of moving the major barre chord shape up the neck one fret at a time, strumming each string, and listening to the blend. If at any point the guitar sounds bad, or like it is out of tune, then the intonation is probably off.

*Note – This test will only be accurate if you are able to hold and play a barre chord correctly. If you unintentionally bend the strings while playing the barre chord, the guitar will sound out of tune, but the intonation may be fine!

If you are not able to do this test yourself, ask someone at the store if they will do it for you while you listen.

Another simple test you can do yourself is to play each note on each string as you move up the fretboard…

0-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12—
0-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12—
0-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12—
0-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12—
0-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12—
0-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12—

Again, you must make sure that you are pressing the string down without bending it. Listen to the sound of each tone as you move up the neck in order to determine if the intonation is good. Check for any buzzing, ringing or dullness in the sound too.

If you find a guitar that you really like (or have already bought one) and the intonation appears to be off, don’t fret. Many guitars have adjustable necks that can be tweaked until they are brought into tune. Adjustments can also be made if the action is either too high or too low.

Here is a summary on how to find the best guitar that is just right for you…

1. Buy a guitar that is geared toward your musical interest and goals
2. Make sure the guitar is a good fit for your physically
3. Check that the action is neither too high or too low
4. Check that the intonation is good along the entire fretboard
5. Choose quality over an “affordable” poorly made instrument

Keep these tips in mind when you are looking for a new guitar. They should help make your decision easier and the final outcome much happier. No regrets!

Kathy Unruh is a singer/songwriter and webmaster of ABC Learn Guitar. She has been writing songs and providing guitar lessons to students of all ages for over 20 years.