Jaguar low E string won't intonate

smurfco

smurfco

Meatus McPrepuce
So this is a weird one... I can't get the low E string to properly intonate on my Jag. I have three bridges - a Mustang bridge and two Jag bridges - no dice on any of them. I know Jag/Jazz bridges have issues with buzzing and strings jumping the groove, but I should at least be able to get the saddle in the right spot for them to intonate properly!

The other strings seem to intonate OK but not the low E. The neck relief is as recommended, as is the action. I am pushing the bridge back (since it rocks) as is recommended, so it's in the same place. I am using D'addario XL 11-48 strings. No matter where I put the saddle it won't intonate.

I think this could be a bad batch of strings perhaps? I tried two different low E strings from the three-pack of strings I ordered and no dice either way. I can't think of anything else. I ordered a set of .011 gauge strings from another brand (Dunlop, as recommended by @Help!I'maRock! ) so we'll see if that cures it. In the past I've had strings I wasn't able to intonate. I hope that's the issue here and the new strings solve everything because I really like the guitar otherwise.
 
I will but other bridge issues aside (buzz, string jump) there is no reason none of the three bridges I have tried wouldn't intonate.
 
When I was having problems with mine, the saddle was too low and the string was actually resting on the front of the bridge. I lowered the bridge and raised the saddles, and got it intonated.
 
42ebf59c67463cad35e7bfc2a0010f47.jpg


Looks like it is clearing the front but worth checking when I get home!
 
Hmm, looking at my picture blown up it looks like the screw heads aren't flush against the bridge. That is one of three bridges I tried and the saddle was definitely moving back and forth but that might be something else worth checking.
 
Now that I think about it, it wasn't the front of the bridge the string was resting on, but the saddle intonation screw itself. In that case, I would have lowered the saddle and raised the bridge.

Still, in your picture, it doesn't look like that's the problem.

I say it's just a shitty design for a bridge. :embarrassed:
 
dougk said:
Won't intonate sharp or flat? OR not consistent up the neck?
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The fretted note sounds flat compared to the harmonic with the saddle all the way forward... but then sometimes the tuner (Turbo Tuner) says it's sharp. It's super frustrating. But it seems to be consistent up and down the neck.
 
Chad said:
I second this. I was playing my McFeely and my tele, unplugged, today and still just love the way the notes ring on them.
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I don't want to take the Mastery off of the Tele, put it on the Jag, set it up for the Jag, and then realize I need to spend $170 on another Mastery :grin:

I honestly hope new strings fixes this - it has in the past for similar issues I've had - but if it doesn't then the Mastery is the next (expensive) step.
 
smurfco said:
I don't want to take the Mastery off of the Tele, put it on the Jag, set it up for the Jag, and then realize I need to spend $170 on another Mastery :grin:

I honestly hope new strings fixes this - it has in the past for similar issues I've had - but if it doesn't then the Mastery is the next (expensive) step.
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image.png
 
smurfco said:
I don't want to take the Mastery off of the Tele, put it on the Jag, set it up for the Jag, and then realize I need to spend $170 on another Mastery :grin:

I honestly hope new strings fixes this - it has in the past for similar issues I've had - but if it doesn't then the Mastery is the next (expensive) step.
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I have 2. If Woody ever gets around to a top loaded half tele bridge, I'll have 3 :grin:
 
smurfco said:
The fretted note sounds flat compared to the harmonic with the saddle all the way forward... but then sometimes the tuner (Turbo Tuner) says it's sharp. It's super frustrating. But it seems to be consistent up and down the neck.
Click to expand...

Double check by capo'ing at the first fret and checking at the 13th
 
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