Intonation Tool

Hsb

Well-known member
Need to get an intonation tool for my FRS. Generally Ive seen 2 different ones, the FR "Key" and what looks almost the same, the Allparts "Key". Is the Allparts really worth the extra $10 or is there something better Im missing?
 
I have the set of 3 (Floyd Rose, Ibanez Edge, and something else I don't remember, maybe the Schaller with the short locking screws?) I've had them for years (decades?) and rarely use them, I usually just loosen the string and the saddle and move it and tighten it back, the tool would probably be better, but they have their own hassles to use. No one buys a Floyd because they are easy ;-)
 
Good point, since I am putting new saddles on the FRS, figured Id try to take some of the difficulty out of it but that may not be the case then.
 
When I check intonation with my tuner I use a notepad and make dots and/or a mark for each string that tells me how far to bump each saddle.
A mark is a mm and a dot is a half mm. I can tell by my tuner readings approx how far it needs bumped so if it's say 1.5mm I just make a mark and a dot in my notepad so I won't forget.
Then I do all my adjustments when changing the strings. Then with the new strings I recheck and any more adjustments are made by loosening the individual string(s) enough to move the saddle.
 
I have the set of 3 (Floyd Rose, Ibanez Edge, and something else I don't remember, maybe the Schaller with the short locking screws?) I've had them for years (decades?) and rarely use them, I usually just loosen the string and the saddle and move it and tighten it back, the tool would probably be better, but they have their own hassles to use. No one buys a Floyd because they are easy ;-)

I have one guitar with an OFR. I don't play it much either. In fact, it has a broken string right now and I don't wanna change it because I need to change them all. It doesn't take me long, it's not as quick as my Les Paul or Strats.
 
Just like devastone said, The Key has it's own handicaps. One cannot evadee having to loosen the saddle locking crews, no matter what gadget is used. The part where the Key helps is not having to fiddle with the loosened saddled with hand. But in turn it introduces it's own sortcomings: you have to find a perfect balance when clamping it onto the bridge. To tight and it'll pull back on the saddle the moment you loosen the screw and then you do the adjustment and wonder why it's always a little too much. If too loose and the string is not loose enough, it will be pulled a bit forward blablabla... You get my drift. That being said, I do have one, I do use it, but there is a learning curve with it.

The most hassle free thing I have tried are the Hollow Points, but I wouldn't spend that kind of money on a Special. Just costs way too much compared to the price of a FRS unit.

Fun story (might've shared it befor, if so, just tell me to buzz off): when I ordered the Hollow Points from the US (couldn't get it in Europe), I had all sorts of trouble with the package. Had to wait for more than a month for customs and so on and so forth. When I finally got the package in my hands, everything became clear: the US postal service marked the contents of the package as "machine gun parts".... :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
 
So what Im hearing everyone say, is pay to have someone else do it for me lol. I actually dont mind learning how to do it, just know my big fingers will have a hard time fiddling with the lil tiny parts
 
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