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Hi,
I just purchased a D6 because I've wanted a 12 String for a long time now.
My problem is I decided I would tweak the intonation a little because I wasn't completely happy with the tuning.
When I measured the scale length from the centre of the Zero fret to get the take off position of the 1st string at the bridge I found that the Gotoh bridge seems to be positioned way too far back. The 1st string saddle cannot get forward enough to measure 25 1/2in from the zero fret, which means the 12th fret note/s are always ringing flat.
Anyone else noticed this? Anyone tried to set up the intonation on a D6? Would appreciate any help.

Fixer.

Have you tried to tune the guitar using a tuner, or harmonics, or between each string sets in the usual way?

If this doesn't help, maybe the bridge location is incorrect- difficult to change if the bridge is held by the screw-in posts.

This is not unknown- I once saw a Gibson Les Paul Deluxe(genuine -made in USA) with a bridge which had been factory installed almost 1/2 inch out!

Well, this is a puzzle.

If the high E string's speaking length cannot be shortened to as little as 25.5", it seems likely that none of the strings can (unless the bridge is somehow mounted with a backwards slant on the treble side).

But before any other solution is suggested, what is the (exact - as near as it can be measured) distance from the take-off side of the nut to the centre of the 12th fret?

JN

The simplest thing to try is to effectively shorten the scale length by using a capo.
Fit a capo on fret 1 and pretend that this is now the zero fret or nut.
Re-tune the guitar so that string 1 is standard E etc.
Check the 12 fret octave (now found at the original 13th fret) and you should have enough adjustment available on the bridge saddle to get the intonation spot on.

For:
- cannot damage the guitar

Against:
- you will effectively lose a fret at the high end
- the fret board markers will be meaningless
- all those embarrassing questions about why you are using a capo

Hope this helps
Dave

In reply to Jn. The measurement from the nut is irrelevant. The nut is only a string guide. The zero fret is effectively the nut and the measurement is taken from the crown of the zero fret to the crown of the 12th fret which is 123/4 in. If you double this to the take off point of the 1st string saddle it should measure 251/2 in which is the scale length of the guitar. That is your starting point when setting intonation, Its the same with any intonation on any guitar except that I cant get the saddle forward enough or anywhere near it. I've checked all the images I can find on the D6 bridge position and they all look the same as mine Can't find any setup info on anything to do with burns guitars which I find rather strange. Burns don't seem to have any specs anywhere, not even youtube. I can find any info I want on a Strat.

Fixer.

Thanks for your reply hernando but I think I'll bin your suggestion for the moment.

Have you looked at this from Burns
Regards
jay

In reply to cockroach. Your saying the same as me. The bridge could be fitted wrong, not unheard of, but I don't think so because I've checked out every image I can find on the D6 and their all the same. The bridge position on all the photos I can find are the same distance from the scratch plate, about 1/2in. So it's not just mine.
Maybe it's got something to do with the fact it's a 12 string, tension or something. The thing is Burns do not provide any info or setup specs for their guitars.

In response to Jaybass, yes I have checked this and yes this is the correct way to check intonation,.This may be alright on the Marvin, I don't know, don't have one, but not the D6. You cant get the scale length to do it.

Well, Fixer (joined May 15th 2013),

So far, you've had four suggestions or offers of help and you have turned down each of them.

Do you think you're going about it the right way?