Setting Intonation on a Tele
- Pick the open string and verify it’s in tune.
- Fret at the 12th fret and pick this note.
- If the 12th fret note is flat, move the saddle forward a little by turning the adjustment screw at the back of the bridge (counter-clockwise) using a flat or philips screwdriver (whatever is appropriate).
Is it hard to Intonate a Telecaster?
Unfortunately, such saddles are impossible to intonate accurately. Two strings share each of the three straight-bar bridge saddles (Fig. 2). Typically, the best-case scenario is to average the two strings on each saddle, but the strings are always more out of tune than with a correctly adjusted 6-saddle Tele bridge.
Which way do I move my saddle for intonation?
If the fretted note is sharp compared to the harmonic, the bridge saddle will need to be moved back, away from the head stock. If the fretted note is flat compared to the harmonic, the saddle will need to move forward, toward the headstock.
How does a compensated saddle work?
A compensated saddle includes ‘grooves’ or ‘notches’ where the high E, B and G strings rest. This adjusts the length of the string ‘compensating’ for accurate ‘intonation’ so the guitar sounds in tune with notes played higher up the fretboard. A non-compensated excludes any grooves and is flat across the surface.
Can’t adjust intonation any further?
You can’t adjust it any further (there is a spring that holds the saddle in place that will compress up to a point). The first thing to do is to check the bow of the guitar’s neck. A concave bow on your neck can throw your intonation off.
Do compensated saddles work?
The compensated Tele saddles are slanted to improve intonation, but they may not perfectly intonate every string. If your guitar is set-up to your satisfaction, you will need to take notes on the set-up and use the same gauge of strings to ensure the same playability with the new saddles.
How do you get low action without fret buzz?
The best fretboard shape for good bending with low action is infinite radius: perfectly flat. If the fretboard is flat and the frets are straight lines, then bending a note doesn’t bring the string any closer to any fret, and so there is no onset of buzz.
How do you know if intonation is off?
When an instrument is properly intonated, all the open strings and every note on the fretboard sound at their correct pitches. If your guitar still sounds noticeably out of tune even after you’ve tuned the open strings, the intonation is off—that is, the instrument is out of tune with itself.
Can You intonate on a three saddle Telecaster?
INTONATION ON A THREE-SADDLE TELECASTER. The three-saddle bridge is great. It’s a big part of that vintage Tele vibe. Don’t expect perfect intonation in every case, though. Because each saddle intonates a pair of strings at the same time, these bridges can be a bit of a compromise.
How do you check the intonation of a guitar?
Remember to always check intonation and tuning with the guitar in the playing position (i.e. not lying on a table or counter but upright as if you were playing it). The basic theory is always this: Pick the open string and verify it’s in tune.
How do you adjust the string action on a Telecaster?
Adjusting the Saddles Adjusting the string action on a telecaster is pretty simple. Using the proper screwdriver or allen wrench, rotate the small height adjustment screws that are threaded into the saddle to raise or lower it.
How do you adjust the pickup height on a Telecaster?
Pickup Height Adjustment Pickup height adjustment is usually a pretty simple task on a telecaster. The neck pickup is usually attached to the pickguard by 2 height adjustment screws and the bridge pickup is attached to the bridge plate with 3. These are used to change the height of the pickup in relation to the strings to achieve the best tone.
