How To Properly String A Guitar With A Tune-O-Matic Bridge

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How To Properly String A Guitar With A
Tune-O-Matic Bridge?
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Intro The Tune-o-Matic bridge, invented by Ted
McCarty, is one of the first fully adjustable
bridges designed for electric guitars. Known
for its precision, it revolutionized guitar
design by improving intonation, sustain, and
overall adjustability. Initially a Gibson
design, it has now become a standard feature
across various guitar brands due to its
functionality and versatility.
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Why Proper Stringing is Important
Stringing a guitar properly is essential for
maintaining tuning stability and achieving the
best possible sound. It not only improves the
clarity and richness of your tone but also
ensures that the guitar remains in tune for
longer periods. Along with using high-quality
guitar parts, proper stringing is key to a better
playing experience.
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• Items Youll Need
• High-quality guitar strings (appropriate gauge
  for your guitar)
• Tuner (digital or tuning fork)
• String cutter
• Microfiber cloth and cleaning brush

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Step-by-Step Guide to Stringing a Guitar with a
Tune-O-Matic Bridge 1. PreparationMake sure your
workspace is clean and organized. Lay your guitar
flat in a stable position and gather all the
tools youll need, including a string gauge if
necessary.
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2. Remove Old StringsUsing string cutters,
carefully snip the old strings starting with the
low E string and moving up to the high E string.
Once cut, safely discard the strings. 3. Clean
the GuitarWith the strings removed, this is the
perfect time to clean your guitar. Use a
microfiber cloth and cleaning brush to remove
dust and grime from the body and neck, especially
around the bridge and fretboard.
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4. Install the Tune-o-Matic BridgeIf installing
a new Tune-o-Matic bridge, make sure the posts
are securely inserted into the body of the
guitar. Tighten the bridge posts with a wrench,
ensuring the height is set correctly for string
action. Adjust the bridge height using the screws
on either side and check the alignment with the
tailpiece to ensure the bridge is parallel. 5.
Adjust the saddles. Before adding new strings,
confirm that the saddles are facing the right
direction (toward the tailpiece) and positioned
for even string spacing. Adjust the saddles with
a screwdriver to achieve accurate intonation.
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6. Insert New StringsThread the ball end of each
string through the appropriate tailpiece hole.
Carefully guide the strings over the Tune-o-Matic
bridge and ensure they sit correctly on the
saddle grooves. 7. Stretch the StringsAfter
inserting the new strings, gently pull and
stretch them to help minimize future tuning
issues. This step ensures the strings settle and
reduces any slippage.
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8. Tune the GuitarUse a tuner to bring each
string to pitch. If youre new to tuning, use a
tuning app for accuracy. Tune slowly and check
each string multiple times to make sure they are
at the correct pitch. 9. Intonation
AdjustmentOnce tuned, check the intonation by
fretting each string at the 12th fret and
comparing the pitch to the open string. Adjust
the saddle positions as needed to ensure that
each string produces the correct pitch when
fretted. You can fine-tune the length of each
string by tightening or loosening the saddle
screws.
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Final InspectionOnce everything is in place,
give your guitar a thorough check to ensure the
strings are properly seated, the bridge is
secure, and the guitar is fully in tune. After
this, your guitar will be ready to play with
improved tone, tuning stability, and clarity!