Telecaster intonation. Thanks in advance The other is the modern-day six-section bridge like the American Standard Telecaster bridge. Sep 27, 2024 · From these equations can tell that intonation tuning improves as string tension T reduces and distance y i between string and twelfth fret reduces with offsets d minimized. Here are some suggestions I’ve found, specific to the Telecaster, that should make this process easier. Need to keep y i small as possible for first string to achieve intonation tuning. To set intonation, you’ll need to find the screw that allows you to change the position of the saddle and therefore the length of the string. Regular maintenance will keep your Squier Telecaster’s action, intonation, and tone playing and sounding great. Without further ado, let’s really dive into how to set up a Telecaster. It’s a big part of that vintage Tele vibe. Feb 13, 2020 · Acoustic guitars are different and don’t give you an easy way to adjust the intonation. Fender’s 2019 Vintera ’50s Tele has plenty in common with the original Broadcaster, Nocaster and Telecaster instruments of the early 1950s and here, Matt Gleeson of Monty’s Guitars takes a brand-new model straight out of the box and shares some simple tips to help Jun 11, 2024 · Summary (for those in a hurry) History of the Telecaster and Stratocaster. The intonation screw is slotted in front to allow for easy intonation adjustment. that there is no more room for adjustment at the bridge, leaving particularly the E just a little sharp? I have a variety of guitars and on most of them (not all) my E saddle is fully Price difference will come down to material used, its thickness, finish and plating quality. Oct 13, 2022 · Intonation is the process of adjusting the Telecaster bridge saddles to make notes sound in tune all over the guitar neck. " May 30, 2011 · Well priced, retrofit to any 3-saddle, ash-tray type Tele bridge and they're available in a variety of materials (brass, aluminium, steel, etc. Compensated saddles have an intonation point preset into them to solve this problem. Thanks! Mike Jan 22, 2015 · On acoustic guitars correct intonation is achieved by an angled bridge saddle, often carefully shaped to fine-tune the compensation further. And even though they’re sometimes thought of as “country guitars” or “rhythm guitars”, they’re awesome for a multitude of playing styles. The three-saddle bridge is great. Double that measurement to find the scale length of your guitar. This means that instead of adjusting the intonation of each individual string, you have to adjust the intonation of two strings at once. Feb 6, 2024 · Acoustic Guitars – Adjusting intonation on an acoustic guitar can be a little daunting. You can get this as a complete replacement bridge or as retro-fit saddles only. Things to watch out for with Telecaster setups. Video: Tele Setup Tutorial Part 1 Constant fluctuations in intonation are exactly why most guitars are designed with adjustable intonation mechanisms. May 26, 2016 · Straight to the point how to set intonation on Fender Telecaster and Stratocaster as well as other electric guitars with saddle style bridges. The G string just won’t get close enough, despite my best efforts. 6 saddle bridges like the american telecaster bridge, the Schaller, hipshot, to name a few are nice as well and a little more flexible with inconsistencies in string diameter etc saddle material is a big factor in tone as well, stainless Jun 14, 2013 · Fig. Compensated Telecaster saddles overcome the limitations of shared saddles in one of two ways. Jun 9, 2024 · While PRS guitars are top-notch in terms of quality and design, but trying to intonate their guitars with the fixed saddle wraparound stoptail bridges can be a bit tricky. com FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases That, and to share some of the nuggets and interesting history I’ve picked up over many years of working with guitars. If your intonation is off then your guitar may sound in tune when you're playing open chords but as you start playing higher up he fretboard the guitar will start to sound out of tune. Because each saddle intonates a pair of strings at the same time, these bridges can be a bit of a compromise. Certain types of saddles can add clarity to electric guitars, which may or may not be perceived depending on the ancillary effects in use (pedals, amp settings, etc. #knowyourgear #sharpenmyaxe #mcknightrepairKYG Merch https://www. 1). Jun 14, 2013 · Vintage-style, straight-bar saddles will never intonate properly—we find a way to fix this issue that doesn’t involve replacing the entire bridge. A full Telecaster setup encompasses more than just string and pickup height adjustments. So the E & A, D & G, and B & E strings must be adjusted together. Set Preliminary intonation. I own acoustic and hollow-body guitars On most electric guitars and basses, intonation is adjustable at the bridge. In this case, we’ll use a 1/4″ Phillips screwdriver to move the saddles forward or backward. On a Strat or a guitar equipped with a tune-o-matic bridge, each of the six saddles has a screw that sets its position. If the distances y i between strings and frets are too large, intonation tuning will be Shop bridges for Tele, Strat, Jaguar and more. Rock or country. GuitarNiche. There are some alternatives to switching to a 6-saddle bridge however. Not only is it really well made but it is built with an extra 1/8" of room to adjust for intonation vs other slab bridges so you stand virtually no chance of having. e. To ensure optimal playability and tonal accuracy, it’s crucial to set the intonation properly on your Telecaster. I’ve previously done this type of adjustments on Stratocasters and archtop guitars. There's no better way to keep your intonation stable than a genuine Fender electric guitar bridge. Joined Oct 10, 2018 Feb 19, 2019 · It certainly seems to vary from tele to tele, as well as your tolerance for slight imperfection when it comes to intonation. 3). With three bridge saddles for six strings there's always a compromise to intonation, but most players can dial in a Tele to satisfaction, and have been for over 50 years. Adjusting the Intonation and Action. The la Oct 4, 2023 · To me these saddles are best in the non subjective ways. Fig. You can buy a ‘compensated’ acoustic saddle as shown below that offers some slight adjustment for intonation across each string. Jan 26, 2021 · On Fender Stratocasters or other guitars equipped with tune-o-matic bridges, each of the individual saddles has a screw to set position. Good luck. If/when I buy a new telecaster I will probably look for the individual saddles. I think the biggest advantage of a properly set up guitar though is that it makes playing the instrument a lot more fun. Amazon-Affiliated Links:Baroque String Action Ruler: Jul 8, 2015 · We asked “Bendmaster of the Telecaster” Jerry Donahue to share some of his secrets for setting up a Telecaster-style bridge and keeping it properly intonated. The idea of the Telecaster was born in Fullerton, California, in 1949 at the hands of Leo Fender. Adjust the first-string (the high “e” string) bridge saddle to the approximate scale length (25. My BSB CV Tele intonates well on everything but the D/G saddle. bonfire. Check your tuning. Be sure to relax the string tension before adjusting the intonation. It is time consuming. These are designed to control the fore and aft movement of the saddles for intonation adjustment on US thread Tele bridges. It's a 1993 Japanese custom-shop Fender Telecaster that screams “1962-Tele-meets-Nascar. It includes checking and adjusting the truss rod to ensure proper neck relief, setting the intonation for accurate pitch across the fretboard, and, if necessary, adjusting the nut height. Or something like that. Indeed an unusual problem but a solution could be using longer setscrews to replace those adjusting the intonation. It's perhaps one of the most simple guita Mar 13, 2017 · Buy Fender Vintage-Style Telecaster and Bass Intonation Springs Electric Guitar Bridge (0018689049): Bridges & Bridge Parts - Amazon. This may be the most daunting of all tasks in terms of fear of messing up your Nov 18, 2020 · Although I love the new Squire Classic Vibe 60s Telecaster Thinline guitar I recently purchased, it’s my first Telecaster. It would allow the saddles to be moved closer to the neck; there is always the possibility the bridge has been mounted slightly too far back. Feb 17, 2016 · INTONATION ON A THREE-SADDLE TELECASTER. It doesn’t matter. com/store/know-your-gear-shop/?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=store_page_share&utm_ Jan 1, 2024 · So, it’s time to upgrade your Tele. Jerry demonstrates this technique in his clinics, and it certainly applies to his Fret-King Black Label ‘JD’ Jerry Donahue signature guitar with his signature APTL-3DJ pickup . Your call, but i'd say don't miss out on the best tone to get 3% better intonation. 050" hex key adjustment wrench Jun 9, 2010 · Considering swapping out my saddles on my '66 Tele to improve intonation. Jan 12, 2010 · Can you fellas point me in the direction of the best Guide to 6 Saddle Telecaster Intonation? Been searching and coming up short on a good guide. Vintage Fender Telecaster. These saddles will fit any vintage-style Tele® bridge. Oftentimes a string can also be kinked or slightly bent and or corrosion that makes intonation a pain. This design allows for precise intonation adjustment. This process will be the means by which we’ll dial in our Telecaster’s intonation once we set our action. Early electric guitars were basically modified archtop acoustics, which carried on using traditional rosewood (or ebony) archtop bridges with carved ”steps” presetting the intonation. ). Uncompensated Telecaster – Which One Is Better? As a general rule, compensated saddles are better for intonation. Package of 12 black Phillips-head intonation screws; Used on American Series (1986-2007) and American Deluxe (1998-present) Stratocaster® and Telecaster® guitars Sep 11, 2021 · I have Tele style bridges like the one shown on two solid body electrics, and perhaps to state the obvious, intonation is the last step after messing about with strings, nut, pickup adjustment, etc. One of my clients recently brought me a fascinating guitar to work on (Fig. Allen wrench included. I’ve owned Stratocasters and ES-335 style guitars, both of which allow the intonation of individual strings to be adjusted. Mar 15, 2022 · Buy Fender American Deluxe/Elite Strat/Tele Intonation Screws Electric Guitar Bridge (0017031049),Black: Bridges & Bridge Parts - Amazon. This isn’t difficult. Callaham's enhanced saddles for Telecaster® in stainless steel, with string guides cut for Bigsby use. Don’t expect perfect intonation in every case, though. @gruhnguitarsinc' setup guru Nathan Golliher shows how to easily make your Strat, Les Paul, and Telecaster ring true up and down the fretboard. Set of three brass non-threaded intonating Telecaster saddles; Includes intonation springs, intonation screws and height adjustment screws; Used on Hot Rod Vintage '52 Telecaster; Fits most vintage and modern Telecaster guitars with vintage three-saddle bridge design; will not fit modern six-saddle bridges; Includes . Or you could get a different, more modern bridge that has one saddle per string. But many Tele freaks prefer the tone of a classic 3-saddle bridge (why it sounds different from the 6-saddle bridge is another discussion), so rather than replace the entire assembly, enterprising players developed the tilt-compensated scheme (Fig. The hardware is usually chrome-plated, adding to the guitar’s overall aesthetic. The problem with the 3-saddle Tele bridge is that the intonation for the six strings has to be adjusted in pairs. On the 3-saddle bridge, all the strings are in-pairs which makes it harder to get the intonation completely accurate. I emphasize the importance of stretching the strings multiple times to make sure the intonation is accurate. You must file the saddle until the highest point has shifted off the center to change the length between the nut and saddle. An electric guitar for beginners is often not set up correctly. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive step-by-step guide … How to set intonation on Jan 9, 2020 · Threaded steel saddles are good, classic tele sound. The best approach is usually to balance out the differences. The main advantage of the 6-saddle Telecaster bridge is that it allows you to intonate each strings and adjust the action individually. 158K views 8 years ago. Not all guitars will need truss rod or string action adjustments, so it would not be a high crime to skip down to this section. Constant fluctuations in intonation are exactly why most guitars are designed with adjustable intonation mechanisms. A little background on how the Telecaster was inspired. 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). I see that you've had the guitar professionally set up in the past but you may want to have a different, highly experienced tech give your guitar a look over for problems. Jan 9, 2020 #19 ; 8trackmind Tele-Afflicted. From the look of the whole bridge, this is feasible, but normally wouldn't be necessary. com FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases Amazon. All you need i Feb 24, 2023 · Some die-hard Tele fans may insist on three saddles, but that means intonation adjustment will require some degree of compromise. After that it has decent enough intonation for me to be happy, although its not perfect. Rhythm or lead. Intonating a guitar puts it in tune with itself by slightly shortening or lengthening each string , which is done using the adjustable string-length mechanisms found at the bridge . Glendale? Callaham? There seem to be many options, just looking for opinions. com: Fender Vintage-Style Telecaster and Bass Intonation Springs Electric Guitar Bridge (0018689049) : Musical Instruments Oct 15, 2020 · The intonation is adjusted by sliding the saddles on your guitar back and forth in order to ensure the guitar is in tune all the way up and down the fretboard. It is a top loader with these saddles. Setup Guideline for a Squier Telecaster Aug 27, 2024 · The intonation screw size for a Telecaster depends on the type of Telecaster you have and the type of screw you're looking for. Nov 25, 2020 · Once the Gotoh saddles were installed, all I had to do was adjust the intonation. Compensated Saddle vs. Intonation Process (07:47-13:10): I walk through the process of setting the intonation by using harmonics and checking string pressure. I currently have repro non-compensating brass ones in there in place of the original steel "threaded" ones. Intonation (Roughing it out) You can pre-set the basic intonation of your guitar, by taking your tape measure and measuring from the inside of the nut to the center of the 12th fret (the wire, not the fingerboard). 5 inches on a Fender Tele or Strat), measuring from the inside of the nut to the point where the string contacts the bridge saddle. The best tele bridge I can recommend, sadly also one of the more expensive, is the Gotoh modern slab bridge. Made in USA Aug 28, 2011 · Does anyone else experience that the (low) E and sometimes G strings run out of available intonation space - i. I like the brass, just want better intonation. Feb 8, 2018 · I've been jonesing for a new guitar and was thinking about a nice 335 -- but after playing so many this last year and not finding one that felt right I There is an easy upgrade option that can dramatically improve the intonation of 3 barrel saddle equipped Fender Telecaster guitars without significantly altering the look or originality of the instrument: Compensated 3 barrel saddles. Owning it has introduced me to the conundrum of Telecaster saddles. ) and you can even mix and match materials within a set to tune the tone to your liking. Package of 12 black Phillips-head intonation screws; Used on American Series (1986-2007) and American Deluxe (1998-present) Stratocaster® and Telecaster® guitars Sep 4, 2023 · Deluxe Telecaster typically features a standard Telecaster bridge design with individual saddles for each string. -In this segment, I go into great detail on how to set the action and intonation on Sep 16, 2022 · How to Set Up a Fender Telecaster in 5 Easy Steps! This week we put on new strings and we look at action, intonation, and pickup height. But I don’t consider it fun. Aug 29, 2019 · In the first episode of a new Guitar DIY video series brought to you in association with our friends at Elixir Strings, Matt of Monty's Guitars in London walks us through the basics of a great Jan 28, 2017 · How To Setup A Fender Telecaster Part 1: Introduction and Assessment. Telecaster Intonation Adjustment Old-style Telecasters have a two strings per saddle bridge system. By 1950, he released the Esquire edition, which was a single-pickup version of the initial iteration. In the above photo, you can see that there is no way to adjust the position of the bridge saddle. Or you could simply live with it, try to get the best intonation you can - with my Tele style guitar every pair is slightly off - one string slightly sharp, the other one on the same saddle slightly flat. Truss Rod Adjustment. More DIY Video Jan 12, 2024 · Part 4: Comprehensive Telecaster Setup. The fixed saddle version, similar to the Telecaster bridge, is nearly impossible to achieve perfect intonation with, as you have to shift the entire bridge to make any Contemporary Telecaster models come standard with a string-through-body bridge design as seen on the Affinity Series. While each string will still not be individually adjustable, the Oct 14, 2019 · The not so obvious downside is that the three saddles have to share intonation points - the critical part which fine-tunes how in-tune your guitar is as you play up the neck. Each of the brass saddles can pivot on the intonation screw. Nov 5, 2009 · Better intonation keeping the Tele sound. My telecaster originally had the first one and intonation wasn't great. Leo Fender’s genius electric Spanish solidbody design may be 70 years old but for many players, it’s still the benchmark. On a Jul 18, 2023 · The Fender Telecaster is a beloved electric guitar known for its classic design and versatile tone. 3: These brass "tilt-compensated" saddles offer improved intonation while preserving the characteristic tone of a three-saddle Tele. The first option is to use Trev Wilkinson’s Tele Bridge with adjustable saddles. In this episode, I will teach you how to adust the intonation of your electric guitar. For simplicity, I will discuss correct intonation at the 12th fret below in the 'Adjusting Intonation' section below. Intonation refers to the accuracy of each string’s pitch across the fretboard. In this video you'll learn how to setup your loved Tele to get the most out of it in an easy and comprehensive way. I had to add compensated saddles myself after buying which wasn't hard but took extra time and work. Shorter intonation screws are available. And the low E string has the spring completely removed on one guitar, and cut down to 3/16 inch on the other. On a traditional Fender Telecaster, there are only three-barrel saddles, and each one of these sets intonation for two strings. For vintage-style saddles that are at right angles to the intonation screws, try Jerry Donahue’s method of tuning the fretted D string slightly flat of the 12th fret harmonic, and the G string slightly sharp. For a vintage Fender Telecaster, you will need WD intonation screws. They look great, sound great, and play great. Fender comps have made every tele i put them on sound theier best and have taken some from so so to great. What’s covered in the video: Assessment. Generally, Telecasters are well-loved guitars. mzgqcu omtiyv xck pxgd rrjdf xxrvls jtsmk sinim lhrt xoupfz