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Post subject: Squier Strat with intonation issue
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 4:47 pm
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Okay, I did a search on intonation and didn't find a solution to my issue. I have a 2003 used Squier Strat that I'm setting up with a set of 9s; done lots of these before, but it has been awhile since I've worked on a guitar with a trem.

I've done all the setup adjustments and now doing the intonation, but every string is sharp. I've adjusted the 6th string as far back as I can and the string is still sharp.

Here is what I've done: the trem is blocked and is 1/8" from the top of the guitar to the bottom of the trem, relief adjusted .010", string height adjusted according to spec, and saddles are adjusted to match the fretboard radius 9.5". The saddles are roughly in position for intonation and the guitar is tuned to pitch and now I'm adjusting the intonation, but every string is sharp.

Any helpful ideas would be appreciated.


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Post subject: Re: Squier Strat with intonation issue
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 11:56 pm
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Why is the trem blocked to that 1/8" height? I always deck the trem plate (= flat against the body) if I block a trem - that would give you a bit more string length and maybe help with the sharp intonation.

Another thing to check: do you press the string at the 12th fret too hard, making the 12th fret note sharp compared to open string.

And third, do a rough checkup of the string lengths, quoting the Strat Setup Guide:
Quote:
INTONATION (ROUGHING IT OUT)

You can preset the basic intonation of your guitar by taking a tape measure and measuring from the inside of the nut to the center of the 12th fret (the fret wire itself; not the fingerboard). Double that measurement to find the scale length of your guitar. Adjust the first-string bridge saddle to this scale length, measuring from the inside of the nut to the center of the bridge saddle. Now adjust the distance of the second-string saddle back from the first saddle, using the gauge of the second string as a measurement. For example, If the second string is .011" (0.3 mm), you would move the second-string saddle back .011" (0.3 mm) from the first saddle. Move the third saddle back from the second saddle using the gauge of the third string as a measurement. The fourth-string saddle should be set parallel with the second-string saddle. Proceed with the fifth and sixth saddles with the same method used for strings two and three.


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Post subject: Re: Squier Strat with intonation issue
Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 10:04 am
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jmattis, thanks for the replay.

Blocking the trem as I did is a method used at the Fender factory that I pickup in Dan Erlewine's book "How to make your Electric Guitar Play Great" page 108. I've used this method in the past and it has works for me. Plus this way you get a true floating trem. Decking the trem to the body is making it more of a fixed tail piece than a floating trem. I also use the method in the book for roughing in the intonation, which I've used in the past and it has worked, so I'm still perplex as to what the issue might be. Maybe I'll re-read Dan's book maybe I missed something, because like I mentioned it has been a while since I've done a setup on a guitar with a trem.

RIX


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Post subject: Re: Squier Strat with intonation issue
Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 11:38 am
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Ok, we just had a mixup with terms; you've adjusted the trem to fully floating instead of blocking (the Clapton way) or decking (flat on the body as above) it... :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Squier Strat with intonation issue
Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:47 pm
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Well, I re-read how to do the setup and I did everything correct.

I got to thinking something has to be off and decided to measure from the nut to the back of the bridge (not the saddles). And found that the bridge is about a 3/32" to 1/8" off on the bass side when compared to the treble side.

I got to think about this before I do anything, because I'm not liking the idea of having to reposition the bridge plate, but that is what it looks like what I'll have to do to get the intonation to come in on the bass side. Which means removing the bridge drilling out the existing holes, then plugging them and drilling new holes in the correct position.

BTW, the trem is blocked by placing a wedge shaped piece of wood between the sustain block and the rear wall the the trem cavity, which will hold the bridge in a static position.

RIX


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Post subject: Re: Squier Strat with intonation issue
Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 11:52 pm
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Like I wrote before, you could check the general "rough intonation" (= actually: check if the guitar's scale length conforms with what it should be) before moving the whole bridge or doing any other drastic procedures. Can you move the saddles to anywhere near right distances with this method?


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Post subject: Re: Squier Strat with intonation issue
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 2:00 pm
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Yesterday I got most of the strings intonated, but I had to move them back as far as I could. The 6th string was still sharp, so I had to remove the saddle's spring to be able to move it even further. It got closer, but is still sharp. All of the saddles are further back than what I've ever seen before on a strat. After looking at it for a while and before pulling a Jimi Hendrix and setting it on fire. I thought I would lower the 6th string, which brought it closer, but it is still out. That is where I have left for now.

RIX

jmattis wrote:
Like I wrote before, you could check the general "rough intonation" (= actually: check if the guitar's scale length conforms with what it should be) before moving the whole bridge or doing any other drastic procedures. Can you move the saddles to anywhere near right distances with this method?


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Post subject: Re: Squier Strat with intonation issue
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 2:26 am
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If the saddles need to be maxxed out for intonation, IMHO the problem mostly lies in the setup - high string height, excess relief etc.
Like a classic example here: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=86427

Only seldom the bridge is slanted or placed wrong, or occasionally the neck doesn't sit right in the neck pocket, or the neck angle is wrong.
E.g. shimming the neck a little further from the bridge is (again, IMHO) a lot easier than moving the bridge.

But, as always with a problem guitar, I'd "start from scratch"; no relief, default string height, check & measure the string lengths, the nut, neck (angle and joint), deck the trem, etc.

And, a setup done by a pro is (repeating that IMHO...) relatively cheap, especially compared to continuous irritation caused by a favorite guitar not in tune.


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Post subject: Re: Squier Strat with intonation issue
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 1:31 pm
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Looks like I'll put this aside until winter and take another look at it then; plenty of other things I need to be working on anyway.

Thanks for the help.


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Post subject: Re: Squier Strat with intonation issue
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 11:07 am
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Okay, so about a month ago I went ahead and change the position of the bridge and it fixed the intonation problem. It seem to make more sense to move the bridge rather that shim the neck back, because the neck position was find.

Just thought I'd do a follow up on this for anyone who might be watching it.


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