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.
How can I improve my guitar intonation?
By adjusting the screw, the saddle is pulled closer to the bridge or further away. Turning the screw clockwise increases the length of the guitar string. If the fretted 12th fret note is sharp, adjusting the screw clockwise will improve intonation.
How do you get low action on a Telecaster?
If the neck is too concave (action too high), turn the truss rod nut clockwise to remove excess relief. If the neck is too convex (strings too close to the fingerboard), turn the truss rod nut counter-clockwise to allow the string tension to pull more relief into the neck.
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 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.
Does string height affect intonation?
The intonation is affected by the length of the guitar string. A high action (string height) can negatively impact the intonation of your guitar. This is because, the higher the action, the further you need to press down to fret a note. So when you push down more, you’re essentially lengthening the string.
Does changing string gauge affect intonation?
Yes, string gauge DOES affect intonation. If your bridge saddles are as far back as they can go (or a fixed bridge) and your intonation is still a couple of cents sharp, use a . 001 or . 002 Thinner gauge string to flatten the intonation.
How high should the action be on a Telecaster?
4/64″
ACTION
Neck Radius | String Height Bass Side | Treble Side |
---|---|---|
7.25″ 9.5″ to 12″ 15″ to 17″ | 5/64″ (2 mm) 4/64″ (1.6 mm) 4/64″ (1.6 mm) | 4/64″ (1.6 mm) 4/64″ (1.6 mm) 3/64″ (1.2 mm) |
How do you check intonation on 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.
Can a three saddle Telecaster be used for intonation?
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 can you tell when your intonation is out?
You can tell when your intonation is out if an open string harmonic at the 12th fret (lightly touch string at the 12th fret and pluck it) and the fretted note one octave higher (hold the string down at the 12th fret and pluck it) are not the same.
Which is the first step in setting up a Telecaster?
The first step in setting up a telecaster, or of any guitar, is the initial evaluation. You want to go through the guitar and find out as many possible problems beforehand so they can be properly fixed or addressed so you don’t waste any time going back to correct them.