I am trying to set intonation on a Stratocaster. The problem I run into is that after setting a couple of strings to perfect pitch, I find that adjusting other string saddles throws the previous settings out of true.

It seems that the bridge saddles move around and influence each other through minute lateral forces, somewhat like "bumper cars."

Am I doing something wrong, or is this just something that has to be tolerated?

Help!
Thanks in advance.

Sir it's far more probable that your bridge is moving. Either in the up down motion of trem action, or forwards/backwards which is bad. Really bad.

You could try blocking your trem. Or if you use the trem ensure the guitar is returned to perfect concert pitch/whatever tuning you use, before adjustment/measurement.

Also dont worry too much over such things. If a guitar is intune to you, when your listening for it to be out of tune. It's not going to be heard by 99.9% of the rest of the population.

Dont stress mate.

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No no and no

This guitar has the tremelo locked down tight. It's got to be lateral forces of the individual bridge parts.

Hi oneal: I'm interested in what you say and Nick's reply - there's not much our Ninja doesn't know about this stuff. Care to show us a decent quality photo of your bridge from above? Just curious...

Also, something in your first post makes me wonder where you live? Only if you feel like sharing, obviously.

Cheers - C

You have one of the best trying to help you out.

I too would be interested in seeing pics.

_________________
Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I wouldn't mind seeing pics either, I'm getting a MIM in a few weeks and the trem is raised real high on it so I'm swatting up on setting up Strats!

Cheers,

CC

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Fender Stratocaster (parts build)
Fender Telecaster 72 Custom RI
Fender Telecoustic Deluxe
Gretsch Electromatic Pro-Jet
Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
Gibson ES-135
Zenith Type-17
Marshall 70's JMP Superbass 100w
Blackstar HT-5

To ensure you avoid these types of problems. Do this before setting the intonation.

First use a new set of good strings. If you are changing gauges then you might need to make a truss rod adjustment as well.

Wrap the strings around the tuner post in a self locking fashion (if your unsure of how to do this just ask) Try to get about 2/3 winds on the Low E to 6 or so on the High E. Tune to pitch.

Now stretch in the strings down their length and tune up again.
Keep doing this till you can pull up or do several consecutive bends on a string at different points without it changing pitch. It takes concerted effort to do it properly. You should now play the guitar and do big bends without it going out of tune. If not you have a problem.

Now set the string height and intonation. I start with Low E as its closer . Assuming that you know how to set intonation I find it better to slacken the string off your working on. Make the correction in length and height as approximates and then tune up again and then see where you need to get to.

After the Low E is as good as it gets do the A string and after you finished recheck the intonation of the Low E. You should end up with something like this shape (see below) which if you are new to intonation is a really fast way to tell if a guitars been setup properly or by an amateur.

Try to keep the saddle height screws even on each individual saddle (unlike the example) this will avoid the string slipping sideways and improve tuning. The lower your action (string height) the better your intonation will be.

There is also another 'problem' on this bridge you get bonus points if you can see it.