Double this measurement to determine the scale length. Found on Stratocasters ®, Telecasters ®, and the huge variety of instruments inspired by them as well as the replacement, and custom parts available for them. Go to Fender.com to find a gauge diagram. Russell travels with his laptop and writes many of his articles on the road between gigs. Work from the second string to the sixth string. Mount bass-side post 1/16″-1/8″ further from the nut. Moving the bridge too far from the neck increases scale length and creates flat fretted notes. distance from bridge to nut or in the Brian may case the Zero fret to the bridge Robert Russell began writing online professionally in 2010. The neck pickup is usually attached to the pickguard by 2 height adjustment screws and the bridge pickup is attached to the bridge plate with 3. Work from the second string to the sixth string. Telecaster ® style bridges Vintage style (Fender spec) Gotoh GTC201/2 Fender modern 6 saddle bridge: 25.750″ (± 0.030″) Stratocaster ® style bridges Non-tremolo bridge Gotoh GTC101/2: 25.250″ (± 0.030″) Tremolo bridges Use an Allen wrench to move the first string saddle bridge to coincide with the scale length. Check the intonation of the guitar with the electric tuner. The guitar may sound in tune when you play on the first half of the guitar neck, but as you go higher up the neck the notes will be sharp or flat. Bad intonation is especially noticeable when you play chords, because the individual strings are not in tune with each other. (On a guitar, these would be the two "E" strings, and they're usually located about 1/8" in from the fretboard edge.) Follow the same procedure for the remaining strings. Double this measurement to determine the scale length. In response to this, your scale length is 24 inches (610 mm) from the middle of your zero fret to the bridge. I have a question about the distance from the bridge pickup to the bridge saddle. If it's a stud mounted bridge, that's another story. Bridge placement for 25.5″ scale length. Distance indicated is from the fretboard edge of the nut to center of forward-most mounting screw or pivot post. Check the gap between the bottom of the depressed string and the eighth fret. Telecaster ® style bridges 634.157" (± 0.030") Also 25.5 is the length that Martin and Taylor use for acoustics and they have been around as long as Gibson. Each saddle bridge has a screw in the back of the bridge plate that allows you to move the saddle bridge forward or backward. The general rule is that the gap should be between .003 inches and .066 inches. Adjust each of the six parts of the bridge saddle to the scale length. You can mount the bridge on the pick-guard, or brass shims. With these measurements, I am looking to place my pickup in the right spot while building a new all mahogany body and neck guitar. Setting the intonation on a Telecaster requires patience and developing a feel for it. When you play the harmonic above the 12th fret and on the 12th, they should both read the strings note its tuned to. Begin with the first string. If you plan to change string gauges, you may need to adjust the specs somewhat to compensate for the changes in string sizes. The scale length of a guitar is the distance from bridge to nut or in the Brian may case the Zero fret to the bridge. You can sort this problem by adjusting the saddle on the guitar or moving your roller in your BM roller bridge backwards or forwards, increasing or decreasing the scale length, there for adjusting the intonation. If the gauge of the second string is .011 inches, move the saddle bridge back .011 inches. Adjust the truss rod with a truss rod tool. Use an Allen wrench to move the first string saddle bridge to coincide with the scale length. Some times it will appear a little sharp or flat. If you are a beginner it is good to have an experienced friend help you the first few times when you attempt to adjust the intonation. No amount of tuning helps a guitar with a poorly positioned bridge. Any fretted note falls high or low of the desired pitch. © 2009 - 2017 Red Special Library. The 25-1/2" produces a rich, strong, bell-like tone, and defined low-end. To calculate all other fret distances simply copy the formula of field B2 into the other fields below it. While some electric guitarists use a shorter scale instrument to achieve less string tension and easier playability, others see it as an opportunity to get a "thicker" tone utilizing heavier gauge strings. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. 25.562″ (± 0.030″) from nut to center of treble-side post. However, this may vary with the style and gauge of strings that are used on the guitar. How to Set the Action on a Fender Stratocaster, How to Adjust the Neck of an Ovation Guitar, How to Adjust the Neck of a Martin Guitar, Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Match your two marks to the ruler. The … Use the string gauge of the adjacent strings to set the bridge saddles for the other strings. If the string is in tune in the open position but sharp or flat at the 12th fret, the length of the string needs to be adjusted. The truss rod is accessible in the headstock of the Telecaster above the nut. If the string is sharp, increase the length of the string by shortening the saddle bridge. Measure the distance from the nut to the center of the bridge saddle. The scale length starts where it leaves the zero fret. The screws travel through these to fix it to the body. The following setup procedures and specifications are for your Telecaster as equipped with the strings that come on the instrument as standard equipment from the factory. If you play the string at the 12th fret it should also be B, you can see this on your tuner if you have one. Adjust each of the six parts of the bridge saddle to the scale length. Measure the length of the fretboard with a measuring tape to determine the scale length of the Telecaster. Enter the scale length in field B1 assign the value "0" to B2, and enter the formula "=(B$1-B2) / 17.817 + B2" for calculating the distance between the nut and the first fret into field B3. These are used to change the height of the pickup in relation to the strings to achieve the best tone. Placing the bridge too close to the neck shortens scale length and makes fretted notes sharp.