Hi Guys,

I have just intonated my strat all harmonics, fretted notes and open strings are at correct pitch. However the saddles dont look right the G string saddle is further forward than the B string saddle...is this ok???

I know they look like two rows of three usually staggerd towards the back of the neck...

Also what do you do if a string is bang on (in tune) open, but sharp at the harmonic, and flat on the fretted?? My 6th string is acting like this a lil bit.

Hi fenderibo: with the open strings tuned to pitch play each string fretted at the 12th fret, and also listen to the harmonic in that position.

If the fretted note is sharp the speaking length of the string needs to be made longer. I.e. you need to adjust the saddle further away from the neck.

If the frettted note is flat you need to do the opposite: make the speaking length shorter. Saddle towards the neck.

The point of listening to the harmonic is to compare it to the note fretted at the 12th and see if it is the same or not. However, that is largerly unnecessary with a modern electronic tuner.

The position of the G string saddle makes it sound like you are using a wound G. If you're not... then I suspect that string is not properly intonated yet.

Though you do see bridges with all sorts of surprising saddle positions from time to time...

Cheers - C

Thanks Ceri...yeah its a weird one that as everything seems intonated perfect...hmmm, maybe its just me.

Here s apic of how the saddles look...everything seems bang on like i say...does it look ok? Its just the G String saddle that concerns me.

Found this pic on a page..so i may be ok

Bad string maybe?

How did you do the intonation? By hear as Ceri described or using an electronic tuner? I did mine initally by ear and could never get the "B" and
G" strings correct. I bought a Boss TU-3 tuner and now use that and I can get all 6 perfect. Turns out my hearing is bad enough that I cannot hear the harmonics well enough to use that method any more.

_________________
Bill

Though in fact I'm suggesting using an electronic tuner too. Apologies if that wasn't clear. The "by ear" bit was just explaining why folks tell you to play the harmonic. People are sometimes confused as to what that bit is for.

The position of that G saddle is unusual if it's an unwound string, but if it's in tune open and at the 12th fret then it must be OK.

Interesting trem arm, BTW.

Cheers - C

[A couple of minutes later] Hmmm... Though looking at the picture of the red Strat again I suspect the problem may not be with the G saddle but with the B and top e. Might they be playing a bit flat when fretted at the twelfth, perhaps?

I wouldn't be surprised if they end up getting moved nearer to the neck...

Check and re-check. That's the way.

Cheers - C

Fit new strings then stretch them in before intonating is best.
Make sure your stringing them in a string locking fashion unless you have locking tuner posts.
Check that the string heights are low as it will make for more uniform intonation.

Use a good guitar tuner or at least check your work with another tuner to make sure its spot on. They say on some guitars you can only get intonation so good. But I have found with a straight neck and a low action you can get it really close every time.

I both fret the note and play the harmonic.
Use as little as finger pressure if your fretting and consistent picking.

If you have problems then you can use an auto tuner (one that shows you all notes) to play down the entire length of the problem string. Which looks to be the 3rd string G in your case.

Here is a picture to show you intonation accurate to about a cent.
These are Fender Bullet 9's

You think? Look at the position of fenderibo's B and top e saddles against the D and lower:



Cheers - C

If you mean E and B shorter G longer then I agree. The G looks the worst off to me.
Hopefully the tuner will tell the exact story.

This photo captures it pretty well. What I do that works well for me: I set the D and High E saddles at the same point (I believe Mr Ceri will agree, 25.5 inches from the inside edge of the nut... ), From there I eye-ball the D and low E saddles in decending fashion from the D, and the B and G decending fron the high-E (much like the photo). I always have good luck with this method, having to spend most of my time tweeking the G and B strings. Patience is the key here, and a fresh set of strings . I've actually had my strat from time-to-time, be nearly spot-on with the eye-ball method. Oh, and I do a quick check and tweek every time I change out strings.

In my experience the strat bridge is one of the easiest to intonate, providing the plate rests flush with the body surface.

_________________
'78 Fender Stratocaster
Epi USA Texan '64 RI signed by Paul McCartney
'73 Fender Mustang
Gibson LP Deluxe RI '69
Fender Active Jazz Bass
Guild GADm20e Acoustic Guitar
Epi Casino RI
Gretsch Pro Jet w/Bigsby
And My Frankenstein-O-Caster

No, that isn't what I mean. I mean that the B and top e saddles are set the same as the A and D respectively, which is surprising.

The G looks approximately right. It's the top two that are too far back, proportionately.

Though none of this means anything if the guitar is actually playing in tune. Only fenderibo and his electronic tuner can say for sure on that.

Cheers - C