Hey there:

Two questions for you.

1. I cannot get my low e string intonation bang on. It is always sharp (fretted), and the string pocket is all the way back. Thoughts? How can I fix this?

2. What is the recommended humidity for a Strat? I am in a semi basement apt., and want to be sure it is at the right humidity for my new axe.

Thanks

Dunno about the humidity issue, we dont have those problems in the uk.

On the low E intonation I had exactly the same problem on my deluxe. There are a few ways round it. I suspect its primarily caused by wear on the tremplates knife edge.
Solutions
1 remove the spring (it can get you another MM)
2 Try a lower guage string (i use a .42 on mine rather than my prefered .52)
3 Physicaly grind some off the back of the saddle should neither of the above work. (extreme)

4 make sure the trem posts arent set too high or low. If you dont use the trem (i dont use mine on that guitar) its worth blocking it and setting the post height to make sure that the whole of the tremplate underside sits on the body. Obviously not where the leading edge rises.
I've seen no end of these 2 point trems set up wrong. Having the posts too high leads to the the tremplate impacting the bottom of the groove of the tremposts and wearing the knifedge or postgroove incorrectly.
Too low and the trem simply doesnt operate correctly. Its a area worth paying a good bit of attention to whether you use the trem or not.

_________________
No no and no

Premising your guitar is otherwise set up correctly and that includes the pickups not being too close to the low E and your frets properly crowned:

1. Sometimes it is as simple as a bad string, even though it came out of a brand new set. Sometimes a given guitar doesn't 'like' a certain brand either.

2. You can adjust the neck height itself off the body a 'hair' up by shim or by the, "micro-tilt adjustment" (if your guitar has one). This may allow you that little bit more of added distance you need. The only drawback to this is, your guitar will have to be entirely set up again.

3. Is the spring still in between the back of the saddle and the bridge plate? If so, either cut the spring down so the saddle can come back even more or remove the spring if necessary. If you've already tried both, you can file away some of the back of the saddle thus allowing it to go back even further to the plate. Chances are though, you will also have to cut the intonation screw too as it will probably be making contact with the string itself at this point.

4. Some will say that you should change the the 6th string's contact point in the nut, moving it forward towards the headstock which will extending the string's intonation run and solve your problem this way. This will only lead to intonation problems elsewhere on the neck with this string so DON'T do it!

As to your second question, 50% humidity is the ideal.

_________________
You dig?

Hey guys:

Thanks for the responses. Both sound like great advice. I will try new strings, and may loosen the springs a bit on the back. The bridge is pretty flat and lined up with the body. All kinds of things to play with to get it normal. Thanks.

Fender sure makes a great instrument! I love this Strat.

Kev,