Compensated Saddles for Telecaster

The compensated Tele saddles are slanted to improve intonation, but they may not perfectly intonate every string. If your guitar is set-up to your satisfaction, you will need to take notes on the set-up and use the same gauge of strings to ensure the same playability with the new saddles. If the instrument needs to be set-up as well, consult #0570 Dan Erlewine's Guitar Player Repair Guide for the proper set-up procedures, or visit your local repairman.

Carefully measure the height of every string from the top of the 14th fret to the bottom of the strings. Next, remove the strings and the old saddles.

Install the new saddles as shown in the illustration. Install new strings and adjust the height of each saddle until you reach your original 14th fret measurements. If done correctly, the strings should follow the radius of the fingerboard.

The final step is to set intonation. If you do not own an accurate electronic tuner, leave this step to a technician. Tune the open strings to pitch and check the low E string fretted at the 12th fret. If the note is sharp (compared to the open E note), move the saddle back. If the note is flat, move the saddle forward. It may take several tries to get it right, and be sure to retune the open notes after every movement of a saddle. When you have the bass E string intonated, check the A string. "Average" the position of the saddle between this string pair. Set the remaining saddles using the same procedure. If any of the strings are very flat or sharp you may have to rotate the saddle so it angles in the opposite direction.