First post, so hi everyone.

Ive got a 40th anniversary strat that I've just restrung and set-up etc. Bought it in 94 and never had problems with it. However, after setting the intonation up the A string is way out. All other sting settings had stayed correct from previous strings (super slinkys), but the A string is so flat when fretted, that even moving the saddle to its extreme still doesn't come close to being in tune.

Everything is the same as before I changed strings, the action is fine and all other stings are ok, new string are same as old ones - ernie ball 9-42. I'm totally baffled as to what might be causing this one string to be so far out. Its been well taken care of too. nothing is broke etc. The bridge is standard btw.

Hope someone might be able to shed some light. Any help much appreciated. Cheers.

Welcome to the forum!

That's a strange one...possible a bad string? I'd try another one before getting into shimming the neck or anything more.

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Hi Nicko-Strato, welcome to the Forum.

As already mentioned, the wrong string in the A position sounds the most likely, if it was right before the string change and nothing else has been changed. Presumably once in a while the wrong string goes in the wrong paper envelope at the factory...?

However, one other point. Do I understand correctly that with the A string tuned to pitch when open it is sounding flat when fretted at the 12th fret? Then you need to move the saddle nearer to the neck, not away from it...

Cheers - C

Thanks for the replies.

Yeah it's defo in the correct string position. hehe, not fallen for that one for a while. I've just had another good look over it now, Ive got the exact same strings on a tele, comparing them the A strings look the same. I initially thought that too, that it could be the wrong string. seems not.

I've checked everything is seated nicely, it's strung at the tuning head fine, 3 wraps, same old technique (under and over). I even loosened the string to check the nut is ok, which it is.

Im pretty sure nothing got knocked or changed durin cleanin etc either. As mentioned, maybe I could wangle another set of string from the shop, tell them my problem. I dont want them messin with it tho. reluctant who to trust with my gear.

Edit to add: Ceri, yes the A string is lower when fretted. and yes i moved it towards the neck as much as poss. it was still very low. like even to the ear you can tell, never seen such a big intonation tweak needed.

Uh-hu? Then... bizarro!

It just has to be something about the string, doesn't it? D'Addario and Ernie Ball (amongst others) offer single strings: I think you gotta just switch it out for another and see what happens.

Beyond that - I'm at a loss, I'm afraid.

Please be sure to tell us when you track down the answer. It sure is curious!

Good luck - C

Its got to be the string core gone bad.
Unless your using a high end strobe tuner, either tune your intonation by ear or lower the tone pot to zero and use the neck pickup. You get far too many unwanted harmonics interfering with the reading on all but silly money tuners.

Also if a new string doesnt do the job try lowering your action on that string a bit. A lighter guage on that string may help too.

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No no and no

Just phoned shop to see if they had any ideas. Nope. Other than, "bring it in". Hhhmmm, not just yet. They sell single strings in the make and gauge I need, so I'll go there in the morning then change it out. Let you know. Got a feelin its not gonna make a difference tho. Its so faaar out that I reckon I could have put any other gauge string on and it wouldnt need adjusting this much. More of a case for mulder and scully than a guitar tech at the moment! Its nearer to A flat at the 12th fret! eek.

Yeah I stretced em BigJay. I always stretch then retune a good few times until they stay intune whenever I change strings. good thinkin tho.

Really is my baby this Strat, got a puzzled look on my face that aint goin away until Ive sorted it.

Thanks again

From my experience, it is usually a defective string first and the nut second.

Just for process of elimination, try pushing down on the string at the nut, on the headstock side of the string. Check your intonation again. If it hasn't shifted sharp from this, then its not the nut and is the string.

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Cheers Martian, just tried it now. seems to be the same. So not the nut then? Until I get a new string, I could try taking the string off and putting it back on (lol). think I might be grasping at straws, but nothing lost I suppose.

You used the operative phrase: "Until I get a new string..."

Your problem is not as unique as you might think. I see it at least three times a year on wound strings.

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You dig?

Well thats quite encouraging then Martian. Just didnt think even a duff string would cause such bad results with intonation. I took string on/off. pretty much same. examined bridge saddle, one thing I noticed is that one of the action adjustment screws is kinda fixed in place. the allan key is a lose inside, like its stripped. But the action is/was just fine on that string.

I really wouldn't worry about it at all. As to that saddle, those screws strip quite easily. On the up side, replacements are readily accessible if you ever have to adjust it.

On a tangent: What I do with a stripped bridge saddle screw is to cut a slit in the screw head and use a jeweler's size, flat head screwdriver to turn it. If the head is recessed into the saddle, I cut into the bottom of the screw.

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You dig?

Hehe I like your way of thinking. should the action need adjustin in future, I will indeed cut a slit. I thought of gripping the thread underneath with some thin nosed pliers (with saddle removed from guitar), but didnt want to strip the thread. Thanks for the tip!

Will update after changing string. Oh and, ahem, Im aware some of you probably think "why hasn't he got spare strings". well, I err never break em!