How to Adjust a Fender Strat Bridge
- 1). Spread one towel out over a flat and stable work surface. Place the Strat string-side up onto the towel. Roll the second towel and place it under the headstock to level the guitar and to keep it from slipping from the table while you work. Detune the strings by turning the tuning keys counterclockwise; this will give you slack to work on the bridge without danger of accidentally snapping a string.
- 2). Insert the Allen wrench into one of the barrel screws recessed down into the E string saddle. Turning the wrench clockwise lowers the screw, which raises the saddle; conversely, counterclockwise raises the screw and lowers the saddle.
- 3). Decide which height you prefer your strings, which is a matter of personal preference, but realize the closer the strings are to the pickups the more booming the sound will be. The inverse is true; the higher the strings, the less booming the sound will be. Adjust all the remaining five strings as you did the E string, using it as a guideline to make sure you attain proper uniform height on each saddle.
- 4). Use the screwdriver to turn each Phillips head screw located on the backside of the bridge, facing the tail end of the Strat. Remember the rule: "lefty loosey-righty tighty." Turning the screw to the right pulls the saddle toward the end of the guitar; turning it to the left lengthens the saddle. Doing so helps adjust the intonation, which ensures your guitar maintains its tuning.
- 5). Adjust the intonation as needed, along with the saddle height, until you're satisfied. Retune the Strat to standard tuning (use an electronic tuner if need be) to ensure each string is at the proper pitch.
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