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Best Tuner for Intonation? Sub-Cent Strobe for Saddle Setup
What setting intonation means
Setting intonation is a physical process - easiest to follow in a demo. Watch Premier Guitar set electric-guitar intonation (a few minutes), then the short summary below.
A guitar or bass is in tune at the 12th fret only if the scale length is compensated correctly at the saddle. You set intonation by:
- Playing the 12th-fret harmonic (the open string's pitch one octave up).
- Fretting the 12th fret and playing the same note.
- Comparing the two. If the fretted note is sharp relative to the harmonic, move the saddle back; if flat, move it forward.
- Repeat until both read the same.
This is a difference-measuring task. You are not tuning to an absolute reference; you are comparing two readings on the same string. That makes resolution and stability the only things that matter in the tuner.
Why a strobe is the right tool for intonation
- Stable reading under sustained tone. You hold the note for several seconds while adjusting the saddle. The harmonic rings stay locked on a steady tone, so you can watch the cents drift as you turn the screwdriver.
- Sub-cent resolution. Saddle adjustments of half a millimetre move the pitch by fractions of a cent. A tuner that only reads to 1 cent cannot show whether your last turn helped or hurt. StroboPro reads to 0.1 cent on screen.
- Multi-harmonic view. Because the strobe shows several partials at once, you can see whether the fretted note and harmonic agree across the spectrum, not just at the fundamental.
Step-by-step with StroboPro
- Fresh strings, tuned to pitch. Old strings intonate badly regardless of saddle position.
- Open strobopro.se, tap the Tap to Tune button (the one with the microphone), and allow mic access.
- Play the 12th-fret harmonic. Read the cents offset.
- Fret the 12th. Read again.
- Sharp → lengthen the string (move saddle toward the bridge/butt of the guitar). Flat → shorten (move saddle toward the neck).
- Re-tune the open string after each saddle move (the move changes tension), then re-check.
Read the full guide
For the technical background on cent accuracy that intonation adjustments depend on, read the full article on the StroboPro blog:
Read "Cent Accuracy: Why 0.1 Cent Matters" on the blog →Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What tuner is best for setting guitar intonation?
A strobe tuner with sub-cent resolution. StroboPro works well because it gives a steady 0.1-cent reading on a sustained tone, so you can watch the cents change as you turn the saddle screw. Open [strobopro.se](https://strobopro.se/), tap the **Tap to Tune** button, and allow mic access. Any tuner that jumps by whole cents makes the comparison between the harmonic and fretted note guesswork.
How do I know if my guitar's intonation is off?
Play the 12th-fret harmonic, then fret the 12th fret on the same string. If the fretted note reads sharp or flat of the harmonic by more than a few cents, the saddle needs adjusting. Test every string.
Should I set intonation with new strings?
Yes. Always intonate on fresh, stretched-in strings. Old strings have uneven winding and worn contact points and will not intonate correctly no matter how the saddle is set.
Can I set bass intonation with a phone app?
Yes, with a strobe app that reads low fundamentals steadily. StroboPro handles bass fundamentals and shows the 0.1-cent reading you need to move the saddle precisely. Open [strobopro.se](https://strobopro.se/) on your phone, tap **Tap to Tune**, and use a wired or built-in mic, not Bluetooth.
Published by Applicaudia, the maker of StroboPro. Resolution figures describe the on-screen display, not lab-measured accuracy. Saddle and screw directions can vary by bridge design; always re-check the open-string tuning after each saddle move.
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