My Guitar Setup
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Set the intonation

S-style · 25.5" scale · 10–46 strings

Step 1 of 5

Whole guitar

Fresh strings first

1. Check the basics

  1. Intonation only holds with fresh strings. Old strings can't be intonated reliably: change them first if they're more than a few months old or look dull. See the change strings guide.
  2. Set the neck relief and the action first. Changing either one changes the intonation.

2. Tune to pitch

  1. Tune every string with the built-in tuner.
  2. Hold your phone close to the strings, around the pickups, in a quiet room.

3. Compare and adjust each string

The tuner listens through your microphone only while it's on. Nothing is recorded or sent anywhere.

Hold your phone close to the strings, around the pickups, in a quiet room.

Using another tuner? Compare the two notes and tell us what it shows:

0 of 6 strings in tune

  1. Pick a string.
  2. Play the harmonic at the 12th fret: touch the string lightly right above the 12th fret wire, pick it, then lift your finger.
  3. Now press the string down at the 12th fret and pick it again.
  4. The gauge shows how far the fretted note is from the harmonic.
  5. Sharp: the string is too short. Turn the intonation screw clockwise to move the saddle away from the neck.
  6. Flat: turn it anticlockwise to move the saddle towards the neck.
  7. Re-tune and listen again. Repeat until it's within ±5 cents, then go to the next string.

4. Re-tune and check again

  1. Moving one saddle changes the tension on the others a little. Tune all strings again and run one more quick check on each.

5. Play-test up the neck

  1. Play a few chords low and high on the neck (for example an open E and the E barre chord at the 12th fret). They should sound in tune with each other.