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Post subject: Intonation Setup
Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2017 4:59 am
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Hobbyist
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Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2015 6:34 pm
Posts: 5
Hi,

Please don't laugh...... I've made the mistake of trying to setup my 57 custom shop strat for the first time!!
When trying to adjust the intonation on the bottom e and a strings found that the 12th fret note plucked was sharper than the 12th fret harmonic. So I lengthened the string as far as it goes but the 12th fret note is still sharper than the harmonic. Is there something else that needs adjusting to correct the intonation?
The sad part is I screwed the saddle so far that I slightly damaged the intonation screw. Where can I buy genuine fender relic'd intonation screws?
;-(
I think I may have to go back to my local Fender dealer

Thanks..


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Post subject: Re: Intonation Setup
Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2017 9:42 am
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Rock Star
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Do you play harmonics more often than you play fretted notes?
I suggest you compare the open string to the fretted 12th rather than the 12th harmonic.
I care far less if the harmonic is properly intoned than I do the fretted notes.

Try this: compare the fretted 12th with the 12th fret harmonic.
I suspect you will find they are not identical.

:idea: :idea: :idea:

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Post subject: Re: Intonation Setup
Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2017 10:03 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2015 10:21 pm
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Location: Oklahoma
I've had the same issue with my 2014 American Standard. I got that screw as far back as my strength can manage without stripping the screw. The low "E" string is a little weird. I get lots of harmonics with it. Check your tuning on various frets besides the 12th. I found I was mostly in tune all around and finally quit messing with it. It can drive you nuts. Don't know where to get a relic'd screw, but sounds like it's already relic'd. :) Also, cut the spring down to give you more room.


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Post subject: Re: Intonation Setup
Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2017 11:51 am
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Rock Star
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Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4241
In my experience, if the adjustment space of the saddles runs out, there's often something wrong with the total setup - no offence to those who don't agree. Neck not seated properly, relief and/or action way wrong, misplaced bridge etc.

IMHO, the best solution would be to do/check the whole setup with a friend who has enough experience - or a pro if you find someone who lets you follow the procedure. One way to quick check if things are even close is the "ROUGHING IT OUT" part in the Strat setup guide:
Quote:
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.


BTW, I checked a bit your earlier posts. It's still a good option & it's not lame to use a pro - once a year would be ideal. And with a good setup to begin with, you'd learn to do it yourself easier: just make a note of what & how much you change so it's easy to return to the start point.


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