Guitar intonation

[EL34]

I have been trying different intonation methods.
I do not tune open and then do a 12th fret harmonic

When you press down on a string, it goes sharp compared to a harmonic
So if you tune an open E to pitch and press down on the 5th fret, the A is sharp.
Same if you tune with a 12th fret harmonic
A fretted 12th fret is more accurate than a harmonic 12th fret

So Now I am messing around with a fretted 3rd fret and fretted 15th fret.
If you set the intonation up that way, the open string is now flat
But you probably play fretted notes more than open notes, so it's a compromise

And don't get me started on the G string mess
I always tune the G string down a few cents flat and it sounds better to my ear

Anyone have a favorite intonation method

[Rontone]

The eternal quest....

So Now I am messing around with a fretted 3rd fret and fretted 15th fret.
If you set the intonation up that way, the open string is now flat
But you probably play fretted notes more than open notes, so it's a compromise

I have started doing that more, its not a well known tip really, most videos on youtube will tell you to adjust the saddles according to open and 12th fret to get them dialled in, but now I like checking the "harmonic" areas, 5th, 7th, 15th and 17th and just keep tweaking

The G string tuning thing hasn't bothered me too much in the past, I have B string problems and I wonder now if its because I naturally "sit" into G songs, listening to so much Eagles, Gatton and Buchanan then leading onto other country and rock I started noticing a huge percentage of my favourite songs are just G major, or a modal variant, like Em

Now its winter my guits have tightened up a bit so I need to reset the strat bridge a little, I will try your 3rd / 15th technique

[rake]

Doug, the open being flat can be as simple as too much nut height.
The myth that the nut height has to be .020"+ higher than the fret height is BS.
If that were true than a capo on the first fret would make the strings buzz on the second fret?????
Properly levelled frets and no excess nut heights will make a player think you walk on water
and keep coming back for more!

[EL34]

I am not sure what the nut slot heights should be
What measurement is good above the first fret?

[rake]

My Gibson 82 335S Deluxe (the one in my avatar) is set at only .002" above the height of the frets.
It's an extremely straight neck with .003 of relief and .005 of fall away from the 15th to the 22nd.
Action at the 12th is .050" low E and .045" high E. Milage varies greatly with neck quality though.
To get a neck really straight requires a re-fret. And, a good bit of work and money.
The downside of a low nut is it has to be replaced more often.