Perfect stratocaster guitar intonation | Get perfect guitar intonation

[dorne]

Hi. I've gone back and lowered my pickups(lace golds). I've used 3 different tuners and can't get accurate intonation on on the D G B and e. Could there be another issue here?

[Beanieboy182]

this way that way which way :S

[seasonedtoker]

lol funny this guy mentions using a right screwdriver while uses a 75 deg. frearson that fits from PH1 to PH3 :D

[mussie302]

Very helpful indeed. Thanks.

[mussie302]

@mussie302 Just set up my cheap Strat copy last night using this advice, and it now sounds amazing all the way up the neck - for the first time! This was good stuff.

[ambroisevalet]

this guys knows about intonation he puts so much while speaking

[sverddansar77]

thank yoy for this very helpful lesson .god bless you

[gmauricer]

What is the make and model of the tuner you are using in this video?

[Firewalker688]

Fantastico! Thank you very much for the video.

[mangeiksde]

I will be so happy with your video about pickups height,because all of my friends and me are setting guitars by your way and we wait for pickups video :)

[TheSirlagalot]

what about telecasters?

[FruduaTv]

@TheSirlagalot It's the same but if you only have 3 saddles you have to make an average intonation 2 x 2 x 2.

[ms3bani]

so to verify, the steps in order are: truss rod, string height, nut, intonation, pickup height ?

[FruduaTv]

@ms3bani This is correct

[ViktorVR]

Hi Galeazzo.

About the sadles patern.

I noticed that pattern in the Floyd rose equiped guitars too but a week ago I adjust a guitar 7 string one whit a complete different patern , then I remember what you said about the pattern therefore I tink the strings were wrong so I put a complete new set looking to do it in mot accurate way not bend the strings etc.

But the patern is the same I got before well almost , the guitar is intonated but what can be happend???

Thank you.

[FruduaTv]

@ViktorVR mmh if the pattern is not as I showed here there's something wrong somewhere.

[ViktorVR]

@FruduaTv Yes , I think the same way , I'm going to tell you a few things about a guitar but may be is nothing to do whit the problem.

1.- Is not a stratocaster or a strat type of guitar.

2.- It have floating tremolo.

3.- The gauge of the strings it's regular 10 to 56 or sometimes 60.

4.- It's a 7 string guitar and the low B string it's soooo damn hard to intonate because of the saddle can't go more away from the nut.

any advice?

Thank you as always.

[RickBeall]

That was very informative.  Thank you!

[jojacool]

Thank You !

Very good information.

[vniesky]

Thank you very much. Excellent information. 

[Creed24Nickelback]

Galeazzo sto vedendo molti dei tuoi video e devo dire che sei veramente bravo e qualificato in ciò che fai,volevo chiederti: mentre intono la chitarra devo essere nella posizione in cui la suono o la posso appoggiare come hai mostrato tu?

[Lukeblueslover]

@Creed24Nickelback Ma che domanda è? Se l'ha fatto nel video significa che si può fare...

[Creed24Nickelback]

@Lukeblueslover Problemi di gravità,quando la posizione della chitarra è orizzontale la gravità agisce di più e l'intonazione poi quando la metti nella posizione per suonare,non esce ottima.

[mrloslos88]

you broke this down to the science awesome thank u great video coffee and cigarettes collective

[holomorph271]

Great videos! Do you know approximately when you'll post the pickup height adjustment one?

[FruduaTv]

@holomorph271 Stiil trying to figure out the best way to make the tonal differencies pass thourgh the tube low quality audio.

[tonykart12]

@FruduaTv Very imformative video. Following your steps, I am still having trouble with G string. Open and 12th fret intonation is fine, however placing finger on first fret, G string now G# will go 3 bars positive on my tuner. This is the only string going so far sharp when doing this. No matter which way I move saddle it will still go sharp 3 bars on 1st fret. The nut looks fine. Strings are new.

[FruduaTv]

@tonykart12 Did you mount new strings?

[tonykart12]

@FruduaTv Guess you did not read my whole post. YES the strings are new.

[dorne]

Hello and Thx for the videos. I am having trouble with setting the intonation on my Strat. I follow your instruction to the letter,however I'm getting one tuning for the 12 th fret fretted,another for the12th harmonic and another for the open string on the number 1 string. Please help. Thx.

[FruduaTv]

@dorne there must e NO difference between the open string and its 12th harmonic. If a difference is found between the above and the FRETTED note then this need to be intonated.

[ghettocumquats]

does this guy's voice remind any one else of Borat?

[superflea72]

Hi Galeazzo,

I wanted to thank you for your informative and very easy to understand videos. You've given me the confidence to have a go at setting up my Strat myself (something I've always wanted to do). One question though: will you be covering nut installation/set-up at all, or is this a bit tricky for mere mortals such as myself? I ask, because I wish to install a bone nut on my Strat as part of my re-build.

thanks again.

[FruduaTv]

@superflea72 I am preparing some new videos also on the nut setup keep tuned!

[BlackCrescentBrigade]

@FruduaTv

I also like your videos.  I want to help correct your English though. I think the phrase that you are looking for is "stay tuned", NOT "keep tuned".

[Guitarpoor]

Thank you for this video.

[demonsdime324]

Hi. Can you please help me? I have adjusted the intonation on my guitar several times, every time I do it, the 12th fret and open strings are perfect but everything else is out :( what do you think the problem is? thanks 

[mangeiksde]

Hey Mr. Frudua :) i performed adjusting of intonation on my strat just as you said,except the new strings, e,B,G were old 2 days and D,A,E were there for a month or so... well some chords and solos sounds great but some chords are so bad sounding like guitar is out of tune,but it was in tune,so where could be my problem? thanks

[FruduaTv]

@mangeiksde The problem is most probably the height of the strings at nut. A CORRECT SET NUT CAN IMPROVE 50% THE TONE OF THE GUITAR AND 80% ITS TUNING AND INTONATION.

[jmannunez]

@FruduaTv I have a question, In what order would you perform these adjustments? Intonation then action or action then intonation?

[FruduaTv]

@jmannunez (lower pickups), neck relief, bridge height, NUT (VERY IMPORTANT!!), intonation, pickups height.

[ivse]

What's the brand and model of the pedal you are using to tune? It is looking good and easy to use

[0692gustavo]

5:00 hmmmmmmmmmm

[sceptic12]

Could you upload a video on how set intonation on floyd rose?

[charlie4592]

he, i have the same guitar that you are using for your demo.... what do you think about it> i can't make up my mind? would you consider doing a full review?

[CuboFragio]

Nice vid with very useful tips.

I'm probably missing something here, but:

1. I lower the PUs in order to:

2. Intonate the gear avoiding magnetic interference on string movements from the PUs and then:

3. I rise up back the PUs to fit their optimal height and now:

as a consequence of rising back the PUs, the gtr will be no longer intonated (because of the stronger interaction magnet-string due to the new PU-strings distance).

Does this make sense?

In other words, I would never do 1 and 3 :-)

[rjdom]

Awesome video, great guitar tech and tips! I have missed these tips in other videos and it makes a huge difference in the tuning and tone of the guitar.

Thanks much from Italy! chow..

[256guitarhero]

Hey i have a problem. I have a yamaha pacifica 012 and im unable to intonate the low e string. im unable to tighten the screw anymore. I also tried removing the spring but that didnt work either! Help!

[flowerdrop1]

great video. thanks my friend!

[themanfromwem]

Excellente Luthier, very interesting and informative... Va bene, Howard in Y.K.

[73849309378]

What kind of tuner is that? I have a Korg GT-120 but the needle jumps back and forth so much it's almost impossible to tell if I'm in tune or not. Also, I just put new strings on my Strat and one of the strings is way out of line with the normal configuration you mention. So is THAT a defective string?

[FruduaTv]

@73849309378 Did you lower the neck and middle pickup?

[73849309378]

@FruduaTv I just sat the pickups, along with everything else, like it says in the owner's manual that came with my Mexican Fender Standard Strat. But I'll try lowering the neck and mid PUs a bit and see if that helps. That's a great idea to check for warbling when setting PU height. Also, I never heard of stretching the strings during intonating like you mentioned either, so I'll use that tip too.

[hellraiser7974]

@73849309378 I have the same tuner. Try this: when tuning, switch to your neck pickup and turn the tone knob all the way back - the needle will stop jumping like crazy..

[FruduaTv]

@hellraiser7974 Always use the neck pickup for tuning and intonation.

[hellraiser7974]

@FruduaTv You are true expert - I would have so many questions for you..:-D Here is one of them: Is it normal when full chords (especially major ones) sounds horrible with distortion even when my guitar is in tune? I've read that equally tempered major 3rd is something like 15 cents sharp compared to natural tuning and distortion makes it pretty audible.. That's why they invented things like true temperament (bent frets) etc... Sorry for bad english..

[FruduaTv]

@hellraiser7974 The problem is 99% of times the nut. Have the nut height setup properly and you will experience 3x better tone and intonation.

[73849309378]

@hellraiser7974 I did have it switched to the neck PU, but the tone knobs were all the way on treble, so I'll try turning them all the way in the opposite direction, thanks.

[FruduaTv]

@73849309378 Use neck pickups and all controls opened.

[73849309378]

@hellraiser7974 Thanks! You're right, it works 10X better now. Even the built-in tuner on my RP50 pedal stopped jumping around with that method.

[martinwrang]

I love your videos! You explain everything so much in depth and detail, demonstrate well, it's just MILES better than any videos on youtube! Can't wait to try using these tips on my strat! I have been having intonations issues lately and it's making me crazy! Thank you again!!!

[DayTripperLennon]

Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge with us.

[kubashev]

I thought I knew how to do that. It appears there are much more details to consider. Thanks a lot!

[Royaltyrocksdude]

Fantastic video Grazie

[jaybird2284]

Thanks bruno!

[chieftanzzz]

Thank you very much Very good video

[Exifel]

Oh man, I never knew about those things until Ive finished watching this video. Thanks for the very informative video mr Frudua.

[kenny222]

Some awesome quickcutting here.

[Widmarkz]

Frudua for president!

[ericriverman]

Thank you, your videos are fabulous.

[JoshClouds]

That was fantastic! You explained every question I had about intonation without even needing to ask. A+++ vid

[nenadradakovicmusic]

Dude,THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[perryinjax]

Thanks Mr. Frudua, very cool instruction. I have subscribed to see what I can learn next.. You explained this very well, I thought i knew everything already about this, but you proved me wrong.

[Sandstorm9562]

This is hands down the best video I have seen on intonation! It was really helpful that you explained the theory behind the adjustments while you demonstrated them. Many thanks from Ireland!

[dorne]

Hello. I have lace sensor golds and the recommend having the pickups high. Should I lower them for intonation?

[FruduaTv]

@dorne LS has less attrection to strings but lower them a bit anyway.

[bati9rst]

Mr Frudua this was veeeeery helpful!!! but please where is the video about pickups?

Greeting from México!!! Ajúa!

[FruduaTv]

@bati9rst Hey Ajúa! yesterday I went to a friend studio here to discuss how to do this. Let's see...

[ambharbor]

Thank you for the explanations as well as the instruction.

[demolition73]

peacups

[FruduaTv]

@demolition73 teacups

[demolition73]

@FruduaTv your mom

[FruduaTv]

@demolition73 my milf

[demolition73]

@FruduaTv my milf

[demonsdime324]

@FruduaTv Hey, is the pitchblack korg accurate for doing the intonation setup ?

[FruduaTv]

@demonsdime324 Yes I find it accurate.

[crazyd305]

im trying to set intonation for my Ibanez RG using ernie ball not even slinky's, and im trying to get it in perfect drop C ( C G C F A D ) but the open G string (or in this case open F ) is buzzy. the truss rode was already adjusted and ive tried setting intonation by adjusting the saddle but nothing is working

[FruduaTv]

@crazyd305 Is it buzzing even when fretted at first fret or just open?

[crazyd305]

@FruduaTv all frets buzz, just not as much as much as the open note

[FruduaTv]

@crazyd305 Did you adjust the truss rod correctly?

[crazyd305]

@FruduaTv yes, i even used your video as a guide line lol im beginning to believe its just a defective string but i dont know for sure

[LorenzoBaudelaire]

Thanks a lot! All you said works perfectly! L'ho scritto in inglese cosi lo capiscono tutti :D

[MackenzieLawless]

This guy, and Gregor Hilden are my heroes.

[jparecki95]

Thanks a lot! This is a great way to save money instead of having a shop set it up. Your videos are very helpful!

[z3r0sh1ft]

Can you find some acoustic guitar that is intonated?

[FruduaTv]

@z3r0sh1ft rarely unless they have really compensated bridge but it's good like this. IMO we shouldn't mess so much with technique stuff and just PLAY!

[z3r0sh1ft]

@FruduaTv I do play even if it's not in tune. But it discourages me to play an acoustic. I've already abandon mine. Since I listen to a lot of synths without a synth effect on my gear. XP

[RockSiffredi]

vogliamo i sottotitoli in italiano! :)

[FruduaTv]

@RockSiffredi intanto ho tradotto quello del Floyd in 2 minuti spargi la voce!

[lordtkn]

Maybe it's a stupid question but, if the string is in tuned, the harmonic in the 12th fret will allways be in tuned?

You only move the saddles to regulate the tuning of the 12th fret? Not when the harmonic is out of tune?

Regards from Chile! :D Your videos are really helpful =)

[FruduaTv]

@lordtkn There are no stupid questions since it's a question. Feel always fre to ask. Yes this is correct since the string is new and well built.

[lordtkn]

@FruduaTv So it will be the same to check the intonation by tuning the open string, and then pressing the 12th fret?

:P Thanks again ;D

[FruduaTv]

@lordtkn no I reccommend that you use the 12the fret harmonic and compare to the 12th fretted note. This for two fisical reasons: 1st you will take advantage of the volume and note definition of the antinode of the 2nd harmonic (use the neck pickup of course for tuning and intonating), 2nd the two notes are the same and this is indeed the best situation for comparing.

[flibo]

What kind of a tuner is that?

[FruduaTv]

@flibo An old Korg

[rdicko86]

i cannot get my high e intonated.... if i tune it to pitch, the harmonic and 12th fret are very flat... cannot seem to get it.... what am i not understanding?

[FruduaTv]

@rdicko86 questions: did you lower the pickups? especially the neck and middle? Did you put on new strings?

[Derekjcb]

@rdicko86 I have the same problem right now. :/

[AncientItalianSecret]

Every time I watch one of your tutorials, I learn not only what the title says, but like 5 other things I didnt even know that I didnt know!!!!

[FruduaTv]

@skywardism Yes it's possible in my opinion especially if you're a rhythm player like my and play most in the first half of the neck but of course you can replace the Tele bridge with one with individual saddles or mod or install compensated saddles on the original one.

[COMMUNISTPHILOSOPHY]

@FruduaTv- actually you made a bloody good vid here.

[COMMUNISTPHILOSOPHY]

an "unpleasnt tone"? Good

[FruduaTv]

@COMMUNISTPHILOSOPHY eehh I know I am sometimes "boratting" ;)

[farhanburns]

I have a question. I play in Drop C tuning. So during intonation, i intoniate it to my standard tuning or Drop C tuning?

[FruduaTv]

@farhanburns Drop C Tuning Sir!

[farhanburns]

@FruduaTv THANKS DUDE!

[superagnitio]

@FruduaTv And if the opposite happens? The intonation is ALWAYS FLAT, even at the extreme forward position :( Thanks!

[FruduaTv]

@superagnitio lower the pickups first. if it still happens after this just take the guitar to a guitar doctor to control the position of the bridge.

[superagnitio]

great vid thank you!

[tabotabojayar]

hey what about if i have black out pick ups??? are those magnetic too???

[FruduaTv]

@tabotabojayar you mean pickups that look black without showing poles? these are just normal pickups with black plastic covers. Poles are just hidden below the plastic and pickups are always magnetic

[DirtyAssa]

Hey Galeazzo! I Watched Your Video! You Are First Person I Ever Seen Who Give Me Such Almost The Greatest Information About a Guitars! I Honestly Respect What You Show To Me Here! I'm Just Only An Experimental Alternate Guitar Player Who Sing Feeling Form My Soul And I'm Also Looking For Members To My Band And Supporters! I Will Buy A Strat With Tremolo And Going To Test Your Given Information. After That I Come Back Also I Will Someday Take Trip To Italy! See You! Thumbs Up! Feels By Assa!

[Eldererr]

Wait, by lowering pickup you mean screw it closer to string or pulling it inside the guitar?

[FruduaTv]

@Eldererr Pulling them inside the guitar (but not too much or they will fall into the pickguad).

[FruduaTv]

@Eldererr you setup the guitar for that drop c tuning and then do the intonation for drop c tuning.

[joshuadurand]

Excellent video. Thanks for the tips. I knew the basics of setting up the intonation of a guitar, but I had not though to lower my pickups or bend the strings at the saddle.

[hnaht321]

my strat wont properly intonate even if i have new strings. the 12 fret is always sharp even if the saddle is all the way back. is there some way to fix it?

[FruduaTv]

@hnaht321 yes lower the neck and bridge pickups and repeat the procedure of intonation

[FruduaTv]

@hnaht321 Yes lower the pickups before attempting intonation, if it is stil like this reduce the length of the spring that surrounds the intonation screw.

[ThiagoNPapa]

Great videos man, subscribed to your channel. Looking forward to see the pickups height video. Greetings from Brazil!

[stefanakos1414]

Hi frudua...You're so good in your job...and you're really helpful..I've got a question but it has nothing to do with your videos...I want to buy a super overdrive pedal cause i heard than can deliever sound like a tube amplifier...i have the fender mustang amp...so if i buy this pedal will i have the nice sound of a tube amp or not???

[FruduaTv]

@stefanakos1414 Well what I can say is that I have hearda lot of good overdrive pedals but non of them can recreate the real sound of tubes. I can also say that if you have a real natural and warm CLEAN transistor sound with a tubescreamer you can still have a good tone.

[FruduaTv]

@stefanakos1414 mmhh frankly I could suggest the standard tubescreamer. if you have a good clean channel tone tube amp this will be a good choice.

[stefanakos1414]

@FruduaTv I finally got the boss super overdrive pedal...I think its good...But the only thing that bothers me is my amp...I should get a tube one...Not a modeling amp...

[FruduaTv]

@stefanakos1414 I am a tube amp fan of course so I agree 100%

[Eldererr]

so wait,

ive to tune my E to E in open.then press twelve fret and if it doesnt show E, then tune it to E?

[FruduaTv]

@Eldererr No, follow the video carefully at the point where I show you the procedure.

[michaeljjeffrey]

The BEST intonation video I have ever seen ! Thank you so much sir !

[GoatPepper]

Very detailed info, very useful...thanks alot!

[contramare]

Really usefull information, tips and information you can't find elsewhere on the net.

La informazione più accurata che ho trovato su internet, grazie

Òscar

[oasisfrommanchester]

salve.

Complimenti per la professionalità e per i suoi lavori signor Frudua.

Mi dispiace solo che un importantissimo video come questo sia in lingua inglese.

Anche qui su youtube di certo non mancano video in lingua inglese, mentre in lingua italiana si, ed in molti di sicuro saremmo stati più contenti se lei avesse parlato la sua lingua anche per i connazionali ma capisco che cosi' chiaramente si attira maggiormente l'attenzione internazionale sul marchio frudua.

Gentili saluti

Omar Alajmo

[FruduaTv]

@oasisfrommanchester Bravo!

[caulinrocker1]

so i set the pickup low to intonate but can i set it back to a high position after intonation?

[FruduaTv]

@caulinrocker1 Yes Sir, take a measurement before you lower them so you can recreate the orignal height you had before.

[ColinPRS]

Great video and very helpful. Now a question, how can i set the intonation on my PRS McCarty Stoptail?

[FruduaTv]

@ColinPRS You have two hex screws facing the tail end, use the allen key provided to move the whole bridge back or forward on one side (low E) and the other (high E). Start intonating (like shown in the video) the high E and then the low E then recheck the high E til it's ok. The other strings will be intonated automatcally.

[musedream]

Una domanda: nel video lei mostra 3 step d'intonazione della corda, vale a dire 1- a vuoto 2 - sull'armonica del 12° 3 - premendo al 12° fret...Ok per la corda a vuoto, che rientra nella norma, ma se l'armonica è calante o crescente, rispetto alla corda a vuoto, come dobbiamo comportarci, prima di eseguire il check con la corda premuta? In sintesi: è possibile che le 3 rilevazioni abbiano 3 intonaizoni differenti? Grazie

[FruduaTv]

@musedream L'armonica (2) non può essere calante rispetto alla corda a vuoto (1) a meno che la corda non sia gravemente usurata o danneggiata.

[mojoefly]

frudua you are the god of luthiers. thanks so much for the professional help/

[theholypope]

Thank you so much for sharing all your great knowledge - you are amazing!

[IzzacV]

Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!! Really appreciate you sharing your knowledge!!!

[GoodJesse]

You are so awesome!

[damrak1969]

Great video - as usual I have learned something while watching!

[muaythai4lifelife]

Molto istruttivo anche questo video ;)

Potresti spiegarmi, magari con un video, quando vanno sostituiti i tasti di una chitarra elettrica? E le tecniche per la sostituzione sulle moderne chitarre/finiture particolari (binding ecc..)

Thanx!

[FruduaTv]

@muaythai4lifelife Qui cerco di concentrarmi sul setup più che sulla liuteria vera e propria per la quale organizzo corsi ad hoc individuali.

[muaythai4lifelife]

@FruduaTv ok, qualora terreste le lezioni anche qui in Sardegna, avrete un iscritto sicuro ;)

[FruduaTv]

@muaythai4lifelife Organizziamoci e vengo volentieri.

[dlowrie290]

You are an amazing resource and I've learned more about my guitars from you than any other source. Thanks for putting your great knowledge on the internet.

[Fender308]

Hi Frudua! Very good article, but why when a guitar intonated by ear like a bandolin it sounds more fuller and warmer? Also is the Peterson octave intonation method good or better than the traditional method you showed?

[FruduaTv]

@Fender308 Thanks. IMO Hendrix, Clapton, Van Halen, etc, they all played normal guitars, tuning them the usual way with no exoteric tuners or nut modifications... they're experts of their instruments without going borderline with maniac stuff and still made history. IMO we all should think about playing with other people (better if someone better than us is available ;) We fear what we do not know. This is why I made these videos: total awarness of what we are doing to get rid of paranoids :)

[pyrzvert]

very informative, thanks so much!

[z3r0sh1ft]

I'm impressed that you know what strings that are defective. Thanks alot! But does it apply to Les Paul guitars too?

[FruduaTv]

@z3r0sh1ft Yes!

[z3r0sh1ft]

@FruduaTv Dang!! My Les Paul's Strings are defective. D= Thanks btw.. for your brutal honesty. Loljk. XD

[doremifasolatido80]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, Galeazzo.

[MOGTROG]

Thanks for a great tutorial, could you please tell me the name of the tuning pedal you are using . Thanks Lee

[FruduaTv]

@MOGTROG it's a Korg Pitchblack

[mcsray]

thanks for posting videos about guitar maintenance. these videos have been a great help.

[zile20584]

Now this is a tutorial! :D

Thank You so much for sharing your knowledge and experience!

[whitelotus808]

your videos are very helpful. Ive had a strat for years and knew how to do this, but just the fact that youre willing to help out other guitarists and techs out is a godsend. thank you for all the contributions frudua.

[Infmda488]

Awesome video, thanks!!!!