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Adjusting Intonation

  • Updated

Intonating your PRS

Intonation should be one of the last adjustments done to your PRS - after adjusting the neck relief, setting the action, properly stretching the strings, and tuning to pitch.

You will need:

  • Tuner
  • Phillips head screwdriver

Adjusting Intonation – Individually Adjustable Sadles:

  1. Set the pickup selector to the neck pickup and roll the tone knob back to 7 or 8. 
    1. This will help remove the overtones of the string to allow for more accurate tuning measurement.
  2. Tune the open string to pitch.
  3. Play the 12th fret note of a string with a regular playing grip.
  4. Adjust intonation screws carefully with the correct sized screwdriver.
    1. If the 12th fret note is sharp: move the string’s saddle further from the headstock. 
    2. If the 12th fret note is flat: move the string’s saddle closer to the headstock.
  5. Tune the string, then recheck the 12th fret note with the tuner.
  6. Repeat until the 12th fret note plays in tune.
  7. Repeat process for each string.

Adjusting Intonation – PRS Stoptail Bridges:

Your Stoptail-equipped PRS is designed to compensate for intonation. There are only two adjustment screws on the PRS Stoptail, meant to adjust the high E and low E strings.

  1. Set the pickup selector to the neck pickup and roll the tone knob back to 7 or 8. 
    1. This will help remove the overtones of the string to allow for more accurate tuning measurement.
  2. Tune the guitar to pitch.
  3. Play the 12th fret note of the E strings with a regular playing grip.
  4. Adjust intonation screws carefully with the correct sized screwdriver.
    1. If the 12th fret note is sharp: move the bridge further from the headstock. 
    2. If the 12th fret note is flat: move the bridge closer to the headstock.
  5. Tune the guitar to pitch, then recheck the 12th fret note with the tuner.
  6. Repeat until the 12th fret note plays in tune.
  7. Repeat process for both E strings.

You can find an instructional video on the topic here: Adjusting Your Intonation | Tips From The Tech Center | PRS Guitars 

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