I'm trying to learn how to set up my 2002 American Series Strat and so far I've sited the neck and it looked ok as far as I can tell, then did the .10 feeler gauge test at the 8th fret with capo on 1st fret and 6th string fretted at 22nd fret and I'm ok there, here's where I'm stuck, according to Fender to get your Scale Length and correct saddle adjustment

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.

Ok so my Scale Length is 25 1/2" but when I measure from the inside of the nut to the center of the 1st string saddle I get 25 7/8",am I doing something wrong here?

Have you adjusted the saddle to bring it to 25.5"?

You have to keep in mind that "scale length" is a nominal value. Depending on string gauge and tension, each string will have a different effective scale length. That is why the saddles of your bridge are staggered. Each string needs to be at a different length.

If I were you, I would just ignore that section of the set up guide. It is really there, in my opinion, for if you have changed the bridge or saddles, and need to get an approximate setting to begin fine tuning. Your guitar should have come to you reasonably well set up with only fine tuning required. Skip to the next section and follow the instructions for setting each saddle adjusting them for sharp or flat until you get the open string and 12th fret note (or harmonic if that is your choice) in tune with each other.

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Bill

Thanks Bluesky, I was just trying to as they say "Rough It In" before setting the string radius and then fine tune the intonation, but for me to get to 25.5" i'd have to move the saddle up almost a 1/2" and there's no way not enough clearance between the saddle and bridge post. Hmm weird.

All you need to do is get it close. You really can't tell anything about intonation until you play the notes.

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Bill

I'm following what you suggested Bluesky and moving on and see how I do, I just want to learn to do it myself so I don't have to bring my guitar to the big corporate chain store I don't trust them so much, went there once and they had it for a week because the kid that received it from me stuck it with all the guitars that were finished and ready for pick up and when I called about it they couldn't find my guitar because it was in the wrong place, I was at work having a panic attack and was just about to jump in my car and hastily drive over there at a very high rate of speed he called to say he found it. bunch of yahoo's.

Good reason to learn to do it yourself.

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Bill

I hope this isn't insultingly condescending, but are you measuring the right spot on the saddle? Fender says "the center of the saddle", but that isn't very clear wording. You measure to the place where the string meets the saddle, right in-between the saddle's two height-adjusting screws, not the front-to-back center of the saddle (about where the string comes out of the body through the saddle).

I just measured a couple of my Strats and the only way I could set the saddles on any of them to 25 7/8" would be to remove the springs and screw the saddles almost the way back until they almost hit the rear lip of the bridge. The front of the high-E saddle will be fairly close to the pivot post, and on a few Strats the saddle might even lightly bump up against the post depending on tolerances & how you have the trem set.

Good point. I hadn't thought about that way of reading the instructions. Another reason to ignore that section.

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Bill

No not at all insulting or condescending Strayed, I measured it again per your advice and it is dead on 25.5" right where the string bends over the saddle. Thanks a lot it makes sense now. I was just following the steps and measuring to the center of the saddle . And thank you as well Bluesky I do appreciate the advice.

Glad everything worked out.

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Bill

I'm also glad everything worked out for you, Big Easy Blues.

I never really had a need to measure the scale length of any of my Strats but after reading your post I was somehow compelled to take out the tape measure.

For whatever it may be worth, the distance between nut and saddle on all strings on my MIM and FSR American Standard is between 25-1/2" and 25-9/16". On my American Deluxe, this distance is between 25-9/16" and 25-11/16". ... Hmm .... All three guitars are correctly setup and the intontion is perfect. Maybe the difference with the American Deluxe has something to do with the fact that the tremolo has been blocked and the action is on the high side?

Cheers!
BM

Edited to correct the math

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This is the Blues. Are you listening?

Changing the action will change the overall string length requiring a small intonation adjustment.

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Bill