How to Adjust an Electric Guitar's Action and Intonation For Dummies

[@hyperhippyhippohopper]

Don't forget to TUNE DOWN the string before you lenghten the distance between nut and saddle. If for any reason the adjustment you have to do is very large, not tuning down beforehand will increase the tension on the string to such a degree that it might snap in two. Can't believe it's not mentioned in the video.

[@SDsailor7]

Yeah I was wondering if he was lengthening the string wouldn't it snap?So you are saying that I need to loosen the string at the top right?Cheers

[@hyperhippyhippohopper]

Yeah just tune the string down a bit, and after adjusting tune it back up. Still can't believe how this guy explicitly says: "Remember, you always start your test with your open string in tune" like, at the exact moment he's lengthening the string by a huge amount. Like, how smart is it not to mention you have to tune the string down BEFORE you lengthen it.....

[@SDsailor7]

trtgre grfdgdfg Maybe he needs to read the book for dummies on how to tune and set the action uh. Cheers

[@lonerider92]

That's not how you set intonation. You need to have the string tuned to pitch check the harmonic at the 12th fret with a tuner and make slight turns at the saddle adjuster until it's tuned. You should never start cranking and turning the saddle adjusters to "lengthen" the string.

[@Walamonga1313]

Steven Kok Snapping it would only occur if you lenghtened it too much. The string should ALWAYS be in tune first on the open note and harmonic before you start.

[@redpaul101]

Pro-tip: when adjusting for intonation, slacken the string right off before altering the saddle distance. You don't want the screws that adjust the string height gouging holes in your nice chrome bridge plate as it moves across it! Test; slacken; adjust; re-tune; re-test. Repeat as necessary.

[@lido672]

Far and away the simplest and most informative video I have seen yet on keeping my Strat in tip-top shape. Thanks so much for bringing it down to a level that we guitar non-snobs can understand. Great help and great video! Thanks again

[@slipknot73745]

I remember blindly messing with all of these when I was younger...picking up my guitar ~7 years later, this helped tremendously. Thanks!

[@Funkbutterfly]

Been playing guitar for almost 20 years and never knew how to do this...thanks!

[@krugerkevin67]

Thanks, I found your video helpful, concise, and to the point.

[@tomncar]

Me too; three years on ....Thanks

[@yes-kq1ve]

@@tomncar me also 5 years later thank

[@oliverappleby5827]

Concise and to the point mean the same thing, so ironically that comment itself wasnt concise

[@2bookoo4u]

Just wanted to add a comment. If you are trying to intonate and the low e saddle is all the way back and it's still sharp, you have to tighten the truss rod (carefully). I just had this problem with a new SG standard. This solved my problem. I used a capo at the first fret and my finger at the last fret and used a 0.010 feeler gauge at the 9th fret. After I made the truss rod adjustment, the guitar was easy to intonate correctly. Now the guitar sounds and plays awesome. I was about to bring the guitar to a tech...now I don't have to, and I saved myself some cash. . I hope this helps someone out with the same problem. Peace

[@verheughej]

It's probably a good idea to bring it to a tech for the first time, ask some questions and get to know how it's done professionally. It will also tell you what your striving for when you want to do it yourself. Worth the money I think (at least the first time).

[@Ranger11413]

I say just start turning shit with wrenches and screw drivers until you get it ballparked then smash it over your half stack !

[@blackdogleg]

there are some very bad techs out there. Best to take the time and learn your guitar yourself. There exists enough tutorials on the internet.

[@wvchoy]

this was the answer to my 2-year problem with my lowest saddle which was all the way back and still sharp by a half tone. a big THANK YOU, John Lain! Will turn my truss carefully tonight

[@JosephScholefield]

​@@Ranger11413 Thats exactly what I do! Except I'm smashing it over a lil 40 watt combo amp >:)

[@iRaskulz]

Absolutely amazing, well paced and simple easy to understand terms. The 12 year old me just plugged his guitar in and if it made noise then AWESOME, I'm now back and 24 realizing what those little things I adjusted were actually doing. Lol, Thanks!

[@MarkTheTruckinBarber]

Best explanation of this you will find on you tube. Hands down. This guy nailed it.

[@draconisthanos]

Thanks!! I have been searching for a simple explaination of this adjustment! You just saved me about $40-$70 from having someone else do it!

[@bkpickell]

You forgot that you have to adjust your neck relief before you adjust the action. That is always the first step. Or at least check the neck relief. It may not need adjusting, but you should always at least check it first.

[@m.sav8862]

That was the same thing I was thinking. And making sure your nut height is right. These are the last 2 steps that he is showing us.

[@icetrey138]

I surprisingly found this video helpful. just fixed the intonation on my Tele and now I'm on to the SG.

[@YTisverycool2007]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insight. Very clear and easy to follow instructions. Your info helped me in adjusting my Squier electric guitar. God bless!

[@UlfhednarAxe]

Probably the most well explained tutorial video on the internet

[@bistro-bar-mix3226]

Extremely basic and extremely useful. My brand new bass guitar is buzzing at the first and second fret. Driving me wild. I spent WAY to much money and now this. I will apply your tips and think that will fix the problem. THANKS.

[@moosecake30]

Thank you as this adjustment was what I was trying to find, your video answered my question perfectly, thank you 👍

[@MichaelDionneDrummer]

My girlfriend bought her first guitar yesterday and it's a pretty cheap one made in China, so obviously, the bridge isn't setup correctly. I'm not a guitarist and this video helped a ton! Thank you!

[@sarys73]

ty, I need to do mine now. I just had someone set it for my Ibanez and all it needed was to low the action some and he brought it back to me buzzing throughout the whole neck. This will be my first time doing and I know I will do a better job than he did. Thanks again

[@georgebrown243]

Thanks man, highly educational and beautifully explained!

[@reoscorpio]

Excellent tutorial. i once had a Brown Telecaster. it was my first electric guitar.. & after a while the E string on top (the lower sounding E) started buzzing.. & i didn't know how to fix it. The guitar shop of course loved having me come in & paying $75 for that simple fix. Now i know how to approach it.. but i wished KZbin info was readily available then.. & your video gives exact, concise info.. When you don't know how to do something, it can easily seem like only a rocket scientist could handle the equation... But some of this stuff just requires getting the right tool for the job... (& most of the time its just supplying the brain with info).. Thanks

[@RandyWinters]

Thx, love a guy with no agenda or ego making it clear. Thx alot

[@bannutrition9508]

I'm not a dummy :(

[@viniboy9853]

you might wanna tell your face? :-)(

[@spuid3853]

dang it you beat me to it

[@iraceruk]

Fascinating and informative. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you 👍

[@PatrickDiMeco]

Finally a great explanation on intonation for me - thanks!

[@erkrieger]

This guy is a super teacher. Really well done and explained. Thank you.

[@dannywhiteguitar]

that was great! totally to the point and easy to understand. thanks!

[@kefta4ever219]

Thanks for the simple explanation. Others get too technical.

[@tonyr.7433]

Damn... I've never known that and always wondered why the saddle looked adjustable... what a ... dummie? Yep. I feel like I've learned a lot in this 5 minute video. Thank you so much! Very much appreciated.

[@SoldierOfAdrian]

I've played guitar for almost 13 years and I think the first time I properly adjusted the intonation on both of my guitars was 1,5 years ago. Live and learn!

[@DaveMarkovich]

I honestly had no idea, mate. Thank you very much for the education and the lesson..

[@wendysmith6148]

Just bought a new semi-hollow body and was ready to take it back! THANKS!! Had NO idea about the intonation. DUH!!

[@tonychestnut904]

Very clearly and respectfully explained. Thank you!

[@aliamiri1575]

Twelve years later. Thanks.❤

[@anthonysthellhammerg4388]

Kick ass you rock ,By far this video gave the most basic in plain English ,however I wish you added the neck tension the need to higher or lower tension but thank you short sweet to the point

[@fbguy1990]

Thank you! very clear, simple, straight to the point.

[@jessenelson8906]

Thank you very much! you made it very clear... You helped me a lot! I thought I knew how to "strobe" an electric guitar but I was not sure..... Thank you!

[@rspratt]

Brilliant video. Clear, precise and everything I wanted within one video. Thank you!

[@shirleyvanpool544]

I actually learned something. Thank you. You deserve 4 more years mr trump

[@kaufenalles6679]

1:57 "IN - TOE - NATION"

[@lonerider92]

Is that the new white stripes song?

[@caperguy99]

one of the better videos on this topic .... good Job

[@mightyburee]

awesome man just plane awesome man.. learned a whole lot about the tuning using the bridge. your work is much appreciated

[@jessemichaels2818]

Thank you 🙏 so much. I have an Ibanez Locking string guitar 🎸. Just a ball of fun when it comes to tuning. 😂

[@benallmark9671]

Awesome video m big help. Thanks and cheers from Canada 🇨🇦 !

[@IETCHX69]

I JUST walked across the street to Safeway's to get 2 dbl ' A " batteries for the exact same tuner , from the 80's . IT WORKSSZ .

[@veronicahorton4951]

You could not have explained more perfectly.

[@jeejeestudio1]

Great, simple and clear. Thanks!

[@xxdfoster]

This is world-class information. Thank you

[@ScragNath]

Nice post. Simple to understand and follow. Thanks.

[@halfcabdisaster7]

@BIGVERK23 That is a Stratocaster, I can't read if it is a Fender, but Fender is the make of most Stratocasters.

[@johncostopoulos7741]

Thanks so much. A clear, succinct explanation.

[@scottlytton5328]

TRhanks guitar man....nice video. Question: where should those set screws be set when you install new strings ? thanks sir, very helpful. new subber here.

[@dianamusic247]

This is exactly what I needed to know! 😲👌🏼 thank you

[@pberguy]

One should check the neck relief and adjust the truss rod as necessary first. Then set string height. Check string height above the first fret & reduce to minimum for best accuracy near the nut (not easy). Check notes on the same string an octave apart that are away from the nut (say 3 & 15 fret) to set tailpiece intonation; the strings will tend to be sharp near the nut and it is better to have most fretted notes in tune rather than including open strings. Nut extenders can be needed to correct sharpness near the nut (think Feiten & others). Use of the free Seventh String strobe tuning software will give excellent accuracy for this work.

[@azizcook1651]

This guy makes things sound soooo much simpler

[@BelloBudo007]

Great tips and explained well. Thanks mate.

[@Psychoreu]

@74bluewolf If its vibrating, or fuzzy sounding, its your trust rod, or your bridge. If you cant take it to the shop..(looking should be free) try to adjust the pickup by hand. its very difficult but it should be reversable.

[@CrazyDave408]

@andr4681 Yeah, you're both right. He's talking about guitar intonation in that each fret has the correct note being sounded. Whatever note the string is tuned to will be the same played an octave, in other words the 12th fret. He's not saying that if the open note matches the 12 fret note the guitar is in tune, he's merely saying the intonation is correct.

[@tomc.3987]

Nice and simple. Thanks for the video.

[@0varz]

Great explanation on how to adjust action and intonation, thanks.

[@who8allthepies]

best string height i have found on my strat is 1.8 mm at the 17th fret where it joins the body. its comfortable and easy to bend.

[@J101191514]

Just what I needed, man. Thank you!

[@johndewolf255]

Excellent just what I needed. Thank You

[@eddiemattison7792]

After watching this video, I lowered my "action" myself! How cool is that. Thanks man! But I have buzzing in the lower E. Maybe raise it back up a little?

[@haro82]

Great video. Right to the point. Thanks!

[@ohlmaxe]

Thank you..very very helpful and easy

[@chrisk23571]

so freakin helpful thank you. was getting irritated with my guitar because I'd play a cover of a song and it would always sound nothing like the original even when playing the right chords.

[@Teachering]

Re: your comment of a year ago: "It is the guitar player not the guitar that makes good music." I agree with you only up to a point. I'd rather play a professional or quality instrument over what is commonly referred to as "a cheap guitar". To be honest, I Hate Cheap Guitar. When I was a kid, which is some time ago, cheap guitars were really cheap and hell to play and get any satisfaction from. Now I have a room full of beautiful Martins, strats, teles, and Fender tube amps. I'm a happy man!

[@stevehtml5490]

An' 20+ YEARS later , going DuH' ( Truly , learn something new everyday ! ) Thank You , my guitar sounds SO much better now

[@nedstar7378]

Thanks for sharing this important information

[@stevematsukawa6342]

Any guitar can be made to play and sound good. I know, I have several 'cheap' guitars that if one would have their eyes closed could not tell if they are cheap guitars. The major component is the player, always has been, and that will never change as far as guitar playing is concerned.

[@jorgeandrescoppiano]

LOVED this video! Thanks a lot!

[@davidgleaves9257]

I'm not seeing a lot of answers, but here are two questions. First, if the string height is too high or too low, it could be due to the saddle height (as noted) or to the truss rod needing to be adjusted. How do you determine which adjustment needs to be made? Second, when testing for intonation, rather than comparing the open string with the 12th fret note, can't you compare the 12th fret harmonic with the 12th fret fretted note? If properly intonated they should be the same. If it's off, its easier to tell because you don't have to compare octaves.

[@Stodolarovka111]

Nicely explained, great video!

[@megaminiman]

If you don't have a tuner, then a good way to hear the difference in tones is to play the harmonic on the 12th fret of the affected string and then subsequently play the actual 12th fret of that string. Keep doing this until they match.

[@RudyG210]

This is so early 2000s vibe. I miss those days

[@rxroger]

Good grief! simple and clear! ....but why doesn't an acoustic guitar have that intonation adjustment? THANKS

[@lockpicker2k]

@dookiebabii if your neck is bowed back it will buzz no matter what. try adjusting the truss rod so that you have a bit of a forward bow, then lower the action. there are lots of videos here on youtube on truss rod adjustment if you need more help.

[@MrEye4get]

Old video but still the best!!

[@jjjohniee]

Cool thank you, first time I have understood this as I was always told it was something to do with pitch? Also I was struggling to tune a guitar I was given, kept going out as I was tuning it. Turned out to be a tremolo plate that was adjusted too slack.

[@b1akn3ss93]

Do you need to worry about intonation when using drop tuning? Or should you leave it for when you change it back?

[@joshuabailey7575]

This was great my strings are too high from my fretboard and it makes it very uncomfortable on my fingers so this should help with that

[@andr4681]

@oxking321 I suggest raising the lowest screw on the floyd rose, should control the 3 lower strings.

[@greywolf271]

Well done video and I think Porly62 should look around the web page before making comments. This video was based on the fact that the truss rod does not need to be adjusted. There's another video that explains truss rod problems.

[@RichardPuou]

Thank you. That was great!

[@halfcabdisaster7]

@BIGVERK23 Very likely, if you're thinking about getting one, I recommend a Mexican Strat (What I play) over Squire. And no problem at all.

[@Pengkui]

Thanks. I lowered my treble strings. Now barre chords are much easier to play.

[@rileykruger5168]

Super helpful, thanks a ton

[@acts1power]

Thank you for that. Easy to follow

[@davesaenz3732]

Very good video. Don't forget to adjust your neck. I mean the guitar neck with a trus rod.

[@Stormlikesguitar]

Awesome video I finally understand all this technical side :D

[@Ozzy89ike]

I did my own setups and intonation for a long time before I ever had my guitar serviced by a tech. I learned how to do all that stuff in a basic level. Seems like Gibson guitars are much easier to setup than a fender for many different reasons.

[@kentucky1519]

So I have a left handed lp100 epiphone that I put a right handed nut on and I tried everything but I can't fix it I don't really need the guitar but my marketing teacher gave it to me with confidence that it would be played and appreciated and I didn't have the heart to tell him I can't play lefty. So it's just become this drawn out frustrating project and I just want to fix it

[@mattlennon7628]

Managed to set 3 strings but I have problems on E string on my player series strat. I started to push saddle forward and things were getting better but I reached the screw of the bridge so the saddle can not go any forward. I am still about 28 cent low on 12 fret on thin E string. Any ideas ?

[@5girlybirdy]

you've just become my hero! thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!

[@codyedingtonable]

Your videos are great man! Keep it up!

[@lumberjack1721]

Very good video, thanks!

[@twootters7433]

So the radius of my neck is twelve degrees. The strings are flat across the neck making it feel weird to play. How do you adjust the radius of the strings to match the neck. If has a 0 degrees radius neck (flat) it would be fine but my neck has a 12 degrees so it the strings shouldn't be flat.

[@angrykoolaidman]

Thanks. Nice video - very informative, clear and concise.

[@kailynndarkpixie3865]

I buyed my first guitar yesterday, today I played the riff from Metallica Sandman, and its not so bad as people say, but my hand hurts, to bend hand so much needs time and I think I need to shorten my fingers a bit too xD but I love it!

[@nesfan8]

Does using vibrato mess up intonation in long run ?