Can I do this??

[King Elvis]

I posted earlier saying that I had a crappy Epi Les Paul Jr. that I was having intonation problems with. I have taken the advice of some of the fine folks on here and worked with the intonation but I just cant get it to work out. I may need to adjust the truss rod, but anyway. I am thinking about chucking the crappy tune-o-matic bridge that is on this thing and just put a stop tailpiece on here. I can get one for about 12 bucks. Can I do this without any problems and in your opinion would this be a better choice??

 

[64Firebird]

Adjusting the truss rod won't effect you intonation. I wouldn't switch it to a tail-piece, those can't be intoned at all (my Firebird came with one of those and it stays in the case now). Just take your time and work with it. After you've done it a few times you'll it'll take a lot less time.

Just remember that if the fretted note at the 12th fret is sharp then the string is too short. Flat and it's too long.

 

[Outlaws]

...and you have to retune each time

 

[64Firebird]

...and you have to retune each time

Yep, I should have mentioned that.

 

[King Elvis]

I can do the intonation on my strat and tele with no problem, but this thing sux. The low E is still showing sharp as is the G string and yet they are tightened all the way down. I cant make the string any longer.

 

[64Firebird]

I can do the intonation on my strat and tele with no problem, but this thing sux. The low E is still showing sharp as is the G string and yet they are tightened all the way down. I cant make the string any longer.

Is this the kind that has a tail-piece behind the bridge or do the strings wrap around and thru the bridge itself?

 

[King Elvis]

well, maybe I have it strung wrong. There is no bridge behind it . It is an all in one piece strings attach to it and go over the little tune o matic things. Tell me how I am supposed to string the thing and that MAY be the answer. The strings are not wrapped around it, I just put the ball end into the little slot and over the tune o matic thingies and up the neck they go.

 

[64Firebird]

Okay good. If you look at the back side of the bridge, there should be 2 little hex head screws. One on each side where the bridge hooks onto the posts that come up from the guitar. They may be very tiny. If you have them, you can tighten them and move the bridge back as a whole or just one side or the other.

That does mean that you'll have to start the intonation process over though.

If you don't have them, tell me here and I'll tell you what to try next.

 

[King Elvis]

yeah I got em but they are tightened down too.

 

[64Firebird]

Are you sure? On my guitar they will tighten into the bridge about 1/8 inch.

 

[King Elvis]

well maybe they are not tightened all the way down. I didnt loosen the strings when I was tightening them so I am sure they can go some more. I am gonna work with it more tomorrow.

 

[64Firebird]

Yeah, you'll need to loosen the strings. If it still doesn't work I know another trick you can try. But, it's not for the faint of heart.

 

[King Elvis]

well listen I appreciate all of your help. I will get back at it tomorrow and i'll let you know where I am at.

Thanks
Mike

 

[Outlaws]

Wait........

so the thing the string sits on that goes back and forth to make it longer or storter is all the way back?

Try putting it all the way forward and then working back again. Its completely musical you know, it should start over again. (After it gets so sharp, it should go flat and get closer to being on before going sharp again.)

I really don't know what to tell you, I have never had that problem yet.

I hope you have some idea what I just said.

 

[64Firebird]

Wait........

so the thing the string sits on that goes back and forth to make it longer or storter is all the way back?

Try putting it all the way forward and then working back again. Its completely musical you know, it should start over again. (After it gets so sharp, it should go flat and get closer to being on before going sharp again.)

I really don't know what to tell you, I have never had that problem yet.

I hope you have some idea what I just said.

On the type of bridge he has it's common. If the string is sharp and the saddle is all the way back, moving it forward (making the string shorter) will not make the string flat in pitch. It can't, and the laws of physics say so.