My bridge saddle isn't moving. I've got 2 tuners to be sure and they both show its not changing. I tried adjusting the action also not changing anything. What am I doing wrong?
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Why doesnt my intonation change when i try to fix it?
- Thread starter Nishia Schutte
- Start date
My immediate thought is a stripped thread on the intonation screw and/or saddle.
Odd. It's a new bass. Literally bought it yesterday. I'll probably just send it in for servicing soon.
Are you detuning the string before attempting to move the saddle? Some bridge saddles will not move when the string is tuned and under tension.
Sometimes the saddle gets stuck. Might help detuning the string some and manually pushing the saddle some to see if that inspires it to move.
Obviously its important to use the proper size tools. It often makes it easier to loosen the strings first, but I rarely do unless it doesn't seem to be adjusting. For intonation I find I'm often turning the screw but the saddle can't move under the string tension. So you're really just unscrewing the screw. Loosen that string, move the saddle by hand, tighten the screw.
Some bridges have a lock screw that needs to be loosened first. Pics of the bridge would help.
Check to see you’re not just backing out the screw while the string tension holds the saddle in one place.
As above check for a locking pin or set screw that some bridges have to prevent movement.
If it’s a standard bridge and you are loosening the intonation screws, they sometimes just unscrew and the string is holding enough tension so the spring doesn’t function. Loosen the string when you try and move the saddle (on most bases anyway).
You can use a piece of masking tape to mark where the saddle is and then when you turn the scree you should see it moving. If not check for anything holding it.
Check that you are using the right size driver in the screw head. Most bridges use #2 Philips head, but I’ve seen #1 Philips and hex and all manner of things. If you strip the screw head it can be a real pain to find a replacement.
If it’s a standard bridge and you are loosening the intonation screws, they sometimes just unscrew and the string is holding enough tension so the spring doesn’t function. Loosen the string when you try and move the saddle (on most bases anyway).
You can use a piece of masking tape to mark where the saddle is and then when you turn the scree you should see it moving. If not check for anything holding it.
Check that you are using the right size driver in the screw head. Most bridges use #2 Philips head, but I’ve seen #1 Philips and hex and all manner of things. If you strip the screw head it can be a real pain to find a replacement.
Loosen string and make sure the saddle moves freely.
Buy a pedal of any kind.
Move saddle forward past normal.
Tune string.
Set saddle
Buy a pedal of any kind.
Move saddle forward past normal.
Tune string.
Set saddle
That!
Most bridges will not let the saddle move if you don't detune.
But also, do you tune the the string from the 12th fret? And check also the harmonic from that very fret?
That's how you setup the intonation.
^THIS^ if you're shortening the string, with the screwdriver still in the head just palm hit the handle of the screwdriver to ensure the saddle screw goes fully back at the bridge.
What bass, what bridge, what strings?
and A Photo of the Bridge please...
This is your avatar (resized) - just curious; how long have you been a guitar tech?
and A Photo of the Bridge please...
This is your avatar (resized) - just curious; how long have you been a guitar tech?
Last edited:
FullumMusic
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There's a bunch of things that could be happening.
First, before adjusting the intonation, make sure the truss rod is adjusted, the string height is adjusted, and pickup height is adjusted. Setting the intonation before doing the other adjustments is like building a straight house on a crooked foundation. Sorry if you already know this. Just needs to be said for good measure.
The kind of bridge makes a difference on how you adjust intonation. Without knowing which bridge you have it's tough to say what's going wrong.
- Some bridges have small lock-screws which prevent the saddle from moving back and forth. You can turn the adjustment screw all day, but if your bridge has locking saddles, they won't adjust.
- Some bridges have lock-screws and need to be manually slid back-and-forth by hand. You have to loosen the saddle screw, loosen the string, and then physically slide the saddle back and forth by hand. Then lock the screw, re-tune, and test the intonation.
- If there is a lock-screw on your saddles, the adjustment screw might be stripped since you were trying to adjust without unlocking first.
- Most of the generic styles, fender styles, etc. where you just turn the adjustment screw to move the saddle back and forth... they only actually move the saddle when tightening the screw (moving the saddle away from the nut.) The springs aren't strong enough to push the saddle towards the nut when you loosen the screw, especially with the strings under tension. All that happens is the screw comes out the back of the bridge while the saddle stays put. You need to use your screwdriver to push the head of the screw back into the bridge after you loosened it.
If you have a fender style bass with fender style hardware, this is incredibly handy:
First, before adjusting the intonation, make sure the truss rod is adjusted, the string height is adjusted, and pickup height is adjusted. Setting the intonation before doing the other adjustments is like building a straight house on a crooked foundation. Sorry if you already know this. Just needs to be said for good measure.
The kind of bridge makes a difference on how you adjust intonation. Without knowing which bridge you have it's tough to say what's going wrong.
- Some bridges have small lock-screws which prevent the saddle from moving back and forth. You can turn the adjustment screw all day, but if your bridge has locking saddles, they won't adjust.
- Some bridges have lock-screws and need to be manually slid back-and-forth by hand. You have to loosen the saddle screw, loosen the string, and then physically slide the saddle back and forth by hand. Then lock the screw, re-tune, and test the intonation.
- If there is a lock-screw on your saddles, the adjustment screw might be stripped since you were trying to adjust without unlocking first.
- Most of the generic styles, fender styles, etc. where you just turn the adjustment screw to move the saddle back and forth... they only actually move the saddle when tightening the screw (moving the saddle away from the nut.) The springs aren't strong enough to push the saddle towards the nut when you loosen the screw, especially with the strings under tension. All that happens is the screw comes out the back of the bridge while the saddle stays put. You need to use your screwdriver to push the head of the screw back into the bridge after you loosened it.
If you have a fender style bass with fender style hardware, this is incredibly handy:
I was wondering about this too. Also why one would use a tuner to see if a saddle was moving instead of using their eyes.
