?Setting intonation on a guitar can be a nightmare but here's a simple, easy and accurate way. These are my recomendations after years of trial and error.
?1. Before you start change strings! You must have a fresh set, old strings will not give you an accurate set up period! I recommend 10 gauge strings over 9 gauge for accuracy, stability and tone.
?2. You will need a accurate tuner. Peterson strobe tuners are by far the best but you can set good intonation without a Peterson. I use Boss tuners with no problem. Really any high quality tuner. I would stay away from the cheapos as they are too inaccurate.
?3. Make sure you have the proper adjustment tools for your bridge.
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?It is important that your neck is adjusted correctly before you start. Make sure it's not to "dippy" or have too much relief in the middle registers. Many necks I see have too much relief, ?they should not have a noticeable big "dip" in?the middle If you are unsure how to do this please take it to a Pro repairman, this is a very fast,easy and cheap fix. A good idea anyway as your guitar will play better.

? O.k. kere we go. Find a flat surface and make sure to prop the neck up a bit so not to cause any damage and put something soft under the guitar. Start on the low E string and go in order one string?at a time. With your guitar tuned to pitch and tuner in a easily viewed spot?hit a?Harmonic note over the 12th fret. Make sure it's in tune then fret the note at the 12th fret. Do not fret the note hard or make it sharp by depressing too hard as that will give bad readings. Your fretting of the note should have pressure just enough to fret the note clearly. I lay the guitar on it's back and fret from over the fretboard with the first finger on my fretting hand similar to a pedal steel or dobro players fretting style, ?NOT the normal fretting postiton of the hand being behind the neck. It's hard to put too much pressure on the fretted note this way and cause bad readings

? Alright here's the really important stuff.IF THE FRETTED NOTE IS FLATTER THAN THE HARMONIC NOTE MOVE THE BRIDGE SADDLE FORWARD TOWARD THE HEADSTOCK.?IF THE FRETTED NOTE IS SHARPER THAN THE HARMONIC MOVE THE SADDLE BACK AWAY FROM THE HEADSTOCK..?Always hit the harmonic note first then the fretted note second and remember this?little catch phrase. FF- flat forward? SB-Sharp back. Take your time to get this right as most of the time the bridge saddle adjustments are VERY minimal so go slow in very slow movements TAKE YOUR TIME!
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? If you own a guitar that already has the compensated adjustments as are very common on the one piece stop tail? like a Paul Reed Smith or Gibson Les Paul jr. then you simply adjust the allen srews that are attached to the posts on the back of the tailpiece. On the Low E side adjust accordingly and on the high E side adjust accordingly using the above method.

Recap:

1. Fresh strings
2. Proper neck adjustment
3. Hit Harmonic note?first Fretted note Second at 12th Fret
4. FF-Flat Forward
5. SB-Sharp Back
6.?GO SLOW - TAKE YOUR TIME


Guitar Guru