[gvdv]

Hi,
I was hoping that people would share their knowledge about any specific techniques/'do's' and 'don'ts' for setting the intonation with my recently purchased Epiphone G-400 SG.

Unlike my Casino, on which the intonation screws in the saddle sit higher than the pickup, providing easy access with a screwdriver, the screws on the G-400 sit below the level of the bridge pickup, making direct access all but impossible.

I would be grateful to hear recommendations on how to set the intonation for the G-400.

Thanks,

Gvdv..

[Caroline64]

Honestly, when I got my Epi LP, I took the bridge apart (saddles/screws/springs) and flipped the whole assembly 180 degrees, so the adjustment screws face the stoptail. Works just as good as ever, and much easier to adjust the intonation.

-Ryan

[pfox14]

I did the same thing on my SG. Have the screws facing the stop tailpiece, so I don't have to hassle with trying to fit a screwdriver in between the pickup & bridge.

[Whitmore Willy]

Gvdv,

First, Conrats on the guitar!

I don't have a G-400 so I don't know.
How much adjustment do you have in your bridge pickup height?
Have you tried lowering the bridge pickup, intonating the guitar and then resetting the pickup?

Willy

[Blueman335]

Every guitarist should have Dan Erlewine's book 'How to make your electric guitar play and sound great.' You can get it online at StewMac. Everything you need to know about set ups.

[Blueman335]

Caroline64, on 06 April 2012 - 11:44 AM, said:

Honestly, when I got my Epi LP, I took the bridge apart (saddles/screws/springs) and flipped the whole assembly 180 degrees, so the adjustment screws face the stoptail. Works just as good as ever, and much easier to adjust the intonation.

-Ryan

Not for me. That makes it much harder for me to adjust. There's a reason why they point the way they do.

[RaSTuS]

Blueman335, on 06 April 2012 - 02:28 PM, said:

Not for me. That makes it much harder for me to adjust. There's a reason why they point the way they do.

To each their own, it functionally makes little to no difference to the operation of the bridge, personally I prefer the screws to face the stoptail, much easier access, the only reason they mount it facing the pickups is for cosmetic considerations IMHO.

[brad1]

I've got my G400 new back in 2006. I've set the intonation on it quite a few times, and have never had any problems at all.
I use a set of these kind of small screwdrivers on all my guitars. They are cheap and very handy.
They get in underneath the string easily and are easy to manipulate. But you may use them yourself, for all I know.

[bigneil]

Yup, you can flip the bridge any way you prefer. Maybe try some different screw drivers.

A good tip for setting intonation is to use a good quality tuner and don't set the intonation with old strings on.