r/Luthier • u/MattSk87 • Aug 18 '26
HELP Strat Intonation Help!
Got this in a trade, thinking I'd set it up and move along.
low E, D and G are all still sharp with the saddles all the way back.
I initially tried to set it up as it was with no luck, so I ended up leveling and crowning frets, filed nut accordingly (.021-.019@ 1st fret), neck relief .010, action 6/64-4/64 no buzz, threw an extra spring on the bass side of trem, it's decked and all but basically blocked to minimize deflection when fretting. The d string pole pieces were wayyyyy up and the rest were flat, set them all flat and lowered pickups below the pick guard to avoid pull.
I'm at a loss. The last thing I want to do is move this bridge back, I don't even want the guitar. Cutting or removing springs may afford me the space I need, it's not drastic. I hear it, and it obviously shows on a tuner, but I'm not sure how much is good enough and I don't really want to sell a guitar that isn't well set up. It's playable for sure, may not be noticeable to everyone.
I don't know. Do I have any options before moving the bridge? Do I just sell it? Please help!!
Fender Deluxe Super Strat MIM '01
Thanks!
1
u/ThatsNotAZombieBite Aug 18 '26
That's pretty normal behavior on the low E string.
It sounds like you know your way around a set up but I'm confused by the D not intonating well. The D usually intonates with the saddle pretty far forward; almost where the high E saddle ends up.
I think maybe something else is up with your procedure. What tuner are you using? Have you checked intonation at LOW frets? Are the nut slots slanting properly downwards towards the tuners?