• Registered: 2009-02-22
  • Posts: 1

Topic: Strat intonation adjustment

I just put a new 70s style neck on my Mexican Strat and now the top E string will not respond from intonation adjustment in spite of the fact that the saddle is up against the completely compressed spring and plate.  Will additional springs lower the tremolo and give me more room to adjust the string?

  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: Strat intonation adjustment

it sounds like you may need a truss rod adjustment I would take it to a music store and ask a pro to look at it first before doing any adjustments yourself smile

"Growing old is not for sissies"

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3 Reply by jeffindayton2 (edited by jeffindayton2 2009-02-22 19:03:55)

  • From: OHIO
  • Registered: 2008-08-16
  • Posts: 2

Re: Strat intonation adjustment

The High E (thinnest string) should have the bridge set nearest to the neck, typically this is measured from the nut to the 12th fret, then from the 12 fret to the bridge block contact point will be this same dimension. (the others will be longer as they gain mass)

1st assumption, you got the other strings to intonate...good job!

say you have a 25.4 inch scale, the 1st string from the 12th to the bridge block string contact point would be 12.7,
or 25.5 /2 = 12.5 or 25/2=12 or 25.25/2=12.125
or what ever your neck is....

If the neck scale is differnet than your old one, you are probably going to need a pro....

(about half way between 12-5/8 & 12-3/4") his measurement, using a standard set of strings. I assume this Mex strat has the six screw mount.....the height of the tremlo is going to be critical of you have a lot of tilt.

Might want to drop $40-60 at local repair shop....i dont know the current rates.

Personnally, I would set this tremlo at about parallel with the body (adjustable in the back of the guitar spring hook). On the two pin pivots like the American standard, I would make the tremlo parallel and about .06" (1/16) off the body, say a dime  to a nickel thick clearance.

I assume the truss rod is close to tension (less than 1/16 of bend in the neck but not flat) use a straight edge.

Good Luck....

A great reference is "How To Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great!"
By Dan Erlewine, see Stewart Mac web site....it covers all this in great detail and less than $40:)

PS. You will need a new set of strings to set your intonation correctly.
if you change brands or gauge you will need to reintonate.

Support your local suppliers smile