How to Adjust Intonation on a Strat

Adjusting intonation on a Stratocaster is a crucial part of ensuring that your guitar sounds in tune and plays well across all the frets on the neck. Here are the steps to adjust the intonation on your Strat:

1. Tune your guitar to standard tuning using an electronic tuner.

2. Play the 12th fret harmonic on the low E string (the thickest string) and check its pitch on the tuner.

3. Fret the 12th fret on the same string and play the note. Compare the pitch of this note to the pitch of the 12th fret harmonic. If the fretted note is sharp (higher in pitch) than the harmonic, the string length needs to be lengthened. If the fretted note is flat (lower in pitch) than the harmonic, the string length needs to be shortened.

4. To lengthen the string, turn the screw located at the back of the bridge saddle clockwise with a small screwdriver. To shorten the string, turn the screw counterclockwise.

5. Recheck the pitch of the 12th fret note and harmonic after each adjustment, until they match perfectly.

6. Repeat this process for each string on the guitar.

7. Once you have adjusted the intonation on all the strings, play some chords and notes across the fretboard to ensure that your guitar plays in tune at all positions.

8. If you find that the intonation is still not quite right, you may need to adjust the action (string height) or truss rod of your guitar. Consult a professional guitar technician if you're unsure how to do this.

9. Lastly, always remember to retune your guitar after making any adjustments to the intonation or other settings.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your Stratocaster guitar plays in tune and sounds great across all the frets on the neck.