Intonation help

[Tommygun_ted]

So I've got an Epiphone Thunderbird pro IV recently, and when setting it up I can't get the E and A to intonate. The saddle is out of travel but I only need a little but more. Any tips on getting a bit more travel without moving the bridge? The obvious solution in my mind is to cut the bolt and spring shorter to allow it to travel a bit more, but I doubt I would be able to clean those threads up afterwards on such a small bolt. Aside from those two strings, this bass was a breeze to set up and plays great

 

[Code Brown]

I'd cut the springs shorter. Are the springs absolutely necessary?
New, shorter bolts.
If you can find a nut to thread on the bolt - thread the nut on, cut the bolt, remove the nut which will fix the threads as it comes off.
New strings? Not sure if you'd need higher or lower mass strings to move the saddles out.

 

[Silky Johnson]

Maybe just make sure the witness points of the string are set before making irreversible changes, push firmly down in front of the saddle and the nut to make sure the string has a clean break if you haven't already

 

[bdplaid]

Different strings may intonate differently. I'm having this issue myself with a J bass and a different brand of string fixed it.

Otherwise, I can't see the construction of the screw and saddle, but is it possible to cut deeper threads with a tap and die?

 

[Zooberwerx]

Maybe just make sure the witness points of the string are set before making irreversible changes, push firmly down in front of the saddle and the nut to make sure the string has a clean break if you haven't already

Quoted for emphasis. If still falling short, remove the springs.

Riis

 

[Queue]

I've pulled the spring out completely to fix this problem.

 

[JLS]

You'll need to do just as you said, shorten those screws, and clip the springs. The blind holes in the saddles are a boneheaded design flaw, IMO.

As previously posted, threading a nut onto the screw before cutting will help clear the threads when you remove it.

 

[Queue]

You can also use a dremel and shape it like a cone.

 

[Killing Floor]

Yep. Cut a few turns off those ball point pen springs.

 

[JLS]

You can also use a dremel and shape it like a cone.

I've threaded a couple of nuts up to the screw head, chucked it in a drill, and relieved the threads that way.

 

[FunkHead]

1st try for me is different strings.