Buzz Feiten Tuning System BFTS

[John Price]

I just thought this should become a sticky for this forum since it's a big topic!



BUZZ FEITEN OPENED:
1=E octave 4 0 offset(open E).
2=B octave 3 +1. offset(open B).
3=G octave 3 -2. offset(open G).
4=D octave 3 -2. offset(open D).
5=A octave 2 -2. offset(open A).
6=E octave 2 -2. offset(open E).
7=D octave 2 -4. offset(open D). if you want drop D this works.

BUZZ FEITEN 12TH FRET INTONATION:
1=E octave 5 0 offset(12 fret E).
2=B octave 4 0 offset(12th fret B).
3=G octave 4 +1. offset(12th fret G).
4=D octave 4 +1. offset(12th fret D).
5=A octave 3 0 offset(12th fret A).
6=E octave 3 0 offset(12th fret E).


This is for the Sonic Research Turbo Tuner.
Below are the settings you can program into a preset on the ST-122 and will allow you to tune and intonate your guitar while using one preset instead of switching between two presets. Very handy.

From Tom:
yes, -04 for the 200, -4.0 for the 122.
the deal with the 12 tones for the 122 is that you have to enter them in highest to lowest pitch for it to work correctly.
here are the notes.

1=5 octave E 0 offset(12 fret E).
2=4 octave B 0 offset(12th fret B).
3=4 octave G +1. offset(12th fret G).
4=4 octave E 0 offset(open E).
5=4 octave D +1. offset(12th fret D).
6=3 octave B +1. offset(open B).
7=3 octave A 0 offset(12th fret A).
8=3 octave G -2. offset(open G).
9=3 octave E 0 offset(12th fret E).
10=3 octave D -2. offset(open D).
11=2 octave A -2. offset(open A).
12=2 octave E -2. offset(open E).

[mbrown3]

Forgive my ignorance, but I just got a ST-200 and am trying to set it up with the offsets. I'm a bit confused on the section re: setting it up with one preset.

First, "From Tom" says, "yes, -04 for the 200." I'm not sure what this means.

Also, it lists the offsets for the temperament setting and lists the octave of each string. Yet the tuner doesn't give the octave option in temperament setting.

Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[kevin h]

since you have the model st200 you can ignore that whole section re: setting it up with one preset. the one preset thing is only available on the model 122.

Forgive my ignorance, but I just got a ST-200 and am trying to set it up with the offsets. I'm a bit confused on the section re: setting it up with one preset.

First, "From Tom" says, "yes, -04 for the 200." I'm not sure what this means.

Also, it lists the offsets for the temperament setting and lists the octave of each string. Yet the tuner doesn't give the octave option in temperament setting.

Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[dannopelli]

Let's clarify a bit for the ST 200:
http://www.turbo-tuner.com/pages/manual-st2.htm

To have both the open and 12th fret offsets you need to use two (2) preset slots.

Other than the Chromatic (CHRM) setting, the remainder of the presets can be reprogrammed. What many do, especially those that do not use alternate tunings, is use CST1 for non-BFTS guitars, CST2 for BFTS OPEN, and CST3 for BFTS 12th Fret. That is what I do.

Why? Well this way you can toggle easily, while in a gig scenario, only one place left or right. Works great for me as my acoustics are all non BFTS and sometimes I'll have a 335 or LP along also. Then the far right preset can be used for checking intonation, which can be useful if you are a traveling musician and your guitars may need quick tweaks.

Some folks use CST1 for say a drop D tuning. They use the CHRM for everything else, and program the BFTS presets into CST2 and CST3. And some have a desk tuner for intonation so they just program the BFTS OPEN presets into one of the CST_ slots, not using the ST200 for intonation.

Whatever you decide, here are the open and 12th fret presets for the Turbo Tuner:

Settings to be entered into any but the CHRM preset:

Note________Open String Offsets
E___________________00
B__________________+01
G__________________-02
D__________________-02
A__________________-02
E__________________-02


Note__________12th Fret Offsets
E___________________00
B___________________00
G__________________+01
D__________________+01
A___________________00
E___________________00

One note: There is a D'Addario iPhone/Ipad App that will do BFTS Open tunings, (For an additional $19.99 in app purchase). I have used this on acoustic gigs and it works really well. And Peterson has an iPhone/Ipad App that does it all and it is only $9.99 total.

Finally, here is an older but very good thread on the whole BFTS tuner thingy: http://andersonforum.com/board/showthread.php?t=6251

[tom]

you can add a 7th note for the drop D then you don't have to switch presets. it shows up as the 7th string. i set that one 4 cents flat.

[mbrown3]

OK, thanks all.

I guess I misunderstood the ST-200 manual. It says, "Each of the 5 presets has a temperament and open tuning associated with it, and editing one has no effect on the other." This led me to believe that it was able to do them in the same preset. I'll set up as Danno suggests.

[Petri358]

There is a -91 Grand Am for sale and behind the headstock is a BF sticker.
Could this be stock from the factory. Wasn't it -96 when BF was introduced for TAG?

[tom]

could be a retrofit.

[shood]

My band is switching to tuning 1/2 step down. I'm told that the BF offsets remain the same as for standard tuning (as reproduced, below).

This is both a PSA for anyone else who tunes down 1/2 step, as well as an inquiry re: whether anyone has experience using these (or other offsets) when tuning a BF-equipped guitar down 1/2 step?


BUZZ FEITEN OPENED:
1=E octave 4 0 offset(open E).
2=B octave 3 +1. offset(open B).
3=G octave 3 -2. offset(open G).
4=D octave 3 -2. offset(open D).
5=A octave 2 -2. offset(open A).
6=E octave 2 -2. offset(open E).
7=D octave 2 -4. offset(open D).

[tom]

it's all tension related. intonation for .009's vs .010's is surprisingly close. so .010's tuned down are not significantly different feeling than .009's tuned to pitch so you should be very close. lots of people who play .010's play .011's when tuned down and that does work really well. when you start getting into lower tension on strings, your left hand grip pressure plays an even larger role, so keep that in mind.

[shood]

it's all tension related. intonation for .009's vs .010's is surprisingly close. so .010's tuned down are not significantly different feeling than .009's tuned to pitch so you should be very close. lots of people who play .010's play .011's when tuned down and that does work really well. when you start getting into lower tension on strings, your left hand grip pressure plays an even larger role, so keep that in mind.

Thanks, Tom. My new Classic shorty, set up with 10s, is scheduled for delivery to my dealer today, and I should receive it sometime next week. If I experience any tuning issues I'll consider moving to 11s.

[shood]

it's all tension related. intonation for .009's vs .010's is surprisingly close. so .010's tuned down are not significantly different feeling than .009's tuned to pitch so you should be very close. lots of people who play .010's play .011's when tuned down and that does work really well. when you start getting into lower tension on strings, your left hand grip pressure plays an even larger role, so keep that in mind.

Tom,

On the low E string, should I have any trouble moving from a .046 to .052? In other words, should I be OK at the nut (in terms of width) and in terms of the Buzz Feiten intonation?

Many thanks,

Sean

[tom]

a .049 should fit in the nut, but you will probably have to enlarge the slot to get a .052 into it. you could do a quick test by loosening the low E, then see if the .052 will slide through the slot or not.

tuning wise you would probably want to reintonate for the 52.

[Petri358]

Bought the Grand Am then and I wonder if this is a retrofit how I can be sure (that it's not just a sticker)?
How long it's supposed to be from saddle to first fret?

[GDane1]

Sweet top!!!