Tuning a True Temperament Neck
- Setting up intonation on a True Temperament neck
- Free tuners for True Temperament necks
- Adjusting intonation after installing a True Temperament neck
Tuning a guitar with a True Temperament neck is not complicated. However, there are important details you need to understand. For instance, tuning the open strings — except for the A string — to an ordinary chromatic tuner will not work with a True Temperament neck, as the open strings are not tuned in equal-tempered intervals.
The Thidell Formula One temperament is built around fret positions and tuning offsets. Each set of Curved Frets™ is designed to specifications derived from our exacting Dynamic Intonation™ fret position process.
NOTE: All tuning offsets start from zero cents in the "equal" temperament.
True Temperament chromatic tuning offsets:
- E = -2
- F = 0
- F# = -4
- G = +4
- G# = -4
- A = 0
- Bb = -4
- B = -1
- C = +2
- C# =-4
- D = +2
- Eb = -4
True Temperament open string tuning offsets:
6-string
- 1st E4 = -1
- 2nd B3 = -1
- 3rd G3 = +4
- 4th D3 = +2
- 5th A2 = 0
- 6th E2 = -2
Setting up intonation on a True Temperament neck
Start by setting the exact scale length by adjusting the distance between all bridge saddles and the nut at 25.5" (648mm). If you have Fender, Ibanez, Schecter, etc., use the same procedure if you tune a guitar with a Gibson scale: 24.75" (628mm). Below you can see the tuning method that suits you the best.
Non-programmable tuners can be used to a certain point. For instance, like this:
Tune A on all strings: 5th fret on the low E-string. A on the open 5th string and the 12th fret. 7th fret on the D-string. 2nd fret and 14th fret on the G-string. 10th fret on the B-string. 5th fret on the high E-string. If all octaves sound the same, your instrument is well intonated.
Free tuners for True Temperament necks
StroboPro is a web-based strobe tuner that includes the True Temperament tunings. It works online on your computer and iOS and Android smart devices.
This works both in open string and chromatic modes (for intonation). Highly recommended!
How to navigate StroboPRO to the True Temperament mode:
- Navigate to the menu at the top left of the page.
- Select "Choose instrument."
- From the dropdown menu, select "Guitar."
- From the "Instrument type" dropdown menu, select 6-string.
- From the "Choose tuning" dropdown menu, select "True Temperament Open string."
- Select "Apply" below.
- Hit "Start."
- Start tuning your guitar with True Temperament neck!
Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300 stomp box is recommended for use on stage, in the studio, and live playing in general. It comes with True Temperament as a preset. High precision +-0.02 cent. Works in open string and chromatic mode (for intonation).
The Precision Strobe Tuner app, made in the USA by James Campbell, includes the True Temperament tuning. This superb strobe tuner for iOS: iPhone and iPad, is available in the App Store at a low cost. We highly recommend all iOS True Temperament players download this very accurate guitar tuner!
How to navigate PST to the True Temperament mode:
- Tap [Settings] and use [Next>] to navigate to the Note Tracking Mode page.
- Tap [Guitar] and use [Next>] to navigate to User Bank 1.
- Tap [>] to navigate to Fixed Bank 5 and the True Temperament mode.
- Tap the [Enable Button] and then tap the [Done Button].
- You're ready to tune your guitar with a True Temperament neck.
- The True Temperament page stays in the display when you open the PST app next time.
Adjusting intonation after installing a True Temperament neck
After setting the exact scale length by adjusting the distance between all bridge saddles and the nut at 25.5" (648mm), if you have Fender, Ibanez, Schecter, etc., use the same procedure if you tune a guitar with a Gibson scale: 24.75" (628mm).
You do it in exactly the same way you would intonate with a standard neck — by matching the Thidell Formula One open string notes to the octave (12th fret) notes.
Can I tune down?
Of course, you can! A True Temperament neck intonates superior to any straight-fretted neck. You can tune down within sensible limits. The limitation on how low you can go before the intonation craps out depends on the string gauge. Thinner ones can become too floppy and difficult to intonate when tuned down.
What happens when True Temperament guitars are used with other guitars, bass, piano, etc.?
It works just fine together with "ordinary" instruments. The offsets from Equal Temper are not so severe that they create noticeable dissonance.
True Temperament offsets info
Offsets (in cents) for programmable tuners for the open strings are as follows:
- E = -2
- A = 0
- D = +2
- G = +4
- B = -1
- E = -1
If you are tuning by ear, you should always take an A note as a reference when tuning to another instrument. Tip: the 5th fret harmonic on the A string, and the 5th fret note on the high E string, should both be A=440Hz. (Or A=442Hz, etc., if that is what your band uses.)
Chromatic offsets in cents from equal temperament are as follows:
- E = -2
- F = 0
- F# = -4
- G = +4
- G# = -4
- A = 0
- Bb = -4
- B = -1
- C = +2
- C# =-4
- D = +2
- Eb = -4
