![]() This story describes perfectly my approach to guitar design in general. Using the grub screws to get the bridge to a good angle will generally give a pretty good overall intonation.Īgain, start with the outside strings and then check the others.I’ll start from wraparound bridges for one particular reason. Each string bears off a differnt point on a 'staggered front end’ of the bridge. The PRS bridge is probably the most recognisable of these pre-intonated models. The intonation line provides a ‘good for most people’ intonation by replicating the stagger of a properly intonated guitar. This gives you an advantage over the straight line of the simplest of these bridges. Some wrapovers come with a moulded or carved ‘intonation line’. PRE-INTONATED WRAPOVER BRIDGES (LIKE THE PRS) Then check the middle strings and see how they seem.įrom there, you can tweak the overall angle a little to ‘balance up’ the intonation so that no one string is too far out. Instead, you'll adjust the angle of the bridge to get things in the ballpark. Of course, on a wrapover tailpiece bridge, you can’t do each string individually. If the 12th fret note is sharp, lengthen the string by moving the bridge back a little. If the 12th fret note is flat, the string must be 'shortened' by moving the bridge forward a little. Compare it to the open string-is it flat or sharp? ![]() Pick the open string and verify it’s in tune.įret at the 12th fret and pick this note. The basic theory is the same as any other guitar: not lying on a table or counter but upright as if you were playing it). Remember, always check intonation and tuning with the guitar in the playing position (i.e. You should have fresh strings (of your usual gauge and brand) installed, properly stretched, and tuned up as normal. ![]() Intonation is the last thing to set so get your action, relief, nut and pickups sorted out first. The rest of your setup must be right for you before you start. ![]() INTONATION PROCEDUREįirst up, let’s recap our intonation prerequisites. That’s the thing though-if you’re playing one of these, you’re accepting the compromise. On a guitar, this isn’t really a recipe for perfect intonation. Essentially, the overall angle of the bridge can be changed and this can be used to approximate a good intonation. Adusting the screw on either the bass or treble side can change the angle the bridge mounts at.įor instance, if you adjust the bass-side screw clockwise, it pushes against the mounting post and moves that side of the bridge further back. The bridge is adjustable ‘overall’.īy that, I mean that, on the bridge, behind where it mounts on each post, is a small ‘grub-screw’. On your regular Strat bridge or tun-o-matic, we can individually set each string saddle to the optimal location for that string’s intonation. The problem, of course, comes when we consider intonation. Not much to get in the way of tasty tone. With one of these wrapovers, there’s nothing else. You see, good coupling between bridge and body is a big part of good guitar tone. The ‘student’ model, entry-level guitars like the Les Paul Junior came with just a wrapover bridge when they started out.Īnd here’s the thing… They can sound great. Costs less to just bung on a tailpiece than to pay for a tun-o-matic bridge as well. “Why?” you cry, “Why would you do such a thing?” The strings go through from the front, wrapover the rear of the tailpiece and then make their way up the neck. If you’re not familiar with these, imagine the tailpiece where the strings anchor on a Les Paul. Some guitars have a wrapover tailpice style bridge.
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