String intonation - weird problem

[carlos seo]

Today I started playing my guitar and I noticed the high E string intonation wasn't right. When I press the string on the 12th fret, the note sounds about 1/4 step lower then its correct pitch. The problem: I can't move the high E saddle towards the neck to correct the intonation (it's already all the way forward). What should I do? The bridge is a crappy Lo-TRS II tremolo.

Thanks!

[nuno]

damn, you mean that all that forward saddle' placement is not enough!?! this means that the entire trem placement is bad, no matter what trem you get there.
but are you positive that the E-saddle is fastened on the screw' hole nearer the neck? or is it fastened on the backward screw' hole?

[carlos seo]

Originally Posted by nuno

damn, you mean that all that forward saddle' placement is not enough!?! this means that the entire trem placement is bad, no matter what trem you get there.
but are you positive that the E-saddle is fastened on the screw' hole nearer the neck? or is it fastened on the backward screw' hole?

It's fastened on the screw hole near the neck, I'm sure. One weird thing is that I played the guitar last week and it was all right. Most weird thing: the 24th fret is in tune, while any frets between 11-24 are out of tune.

[nuno]

wow!
maybe bad frets placement? or pickups too close to the strings?

[Kontalonis]

Sounds like maybe a truss rod issue. What do you think Rich?

[toshiro]

It was fine a week ago? How often have you played the guitar since then?

Might just be simple string wear, there may be a very small dent, or corrosion on the string causing the intonation to go out.

[carlos seo]

nuno: I've checked fret spacing and it's ok. About the pickup height, I think 2.0 mm away from the strings (while pressing them on the 24th fret) is normal, don't you think? I guess it's something else.

Kontalonis: I've made a new truss rod adjustment. It has helped a little, but things aren't that good yet. The problem now is that the neck is almost flat and if I reduce the neck bow even more, the lower frets will start buzzing like bees.

toshiro: I've been playing my custom Strat these days and I haven't touched the 555 for a while. The strings are really worn and I think they might be part of this problem. I'll replace them when I have some time. My final exams at the university will begin next week and I don't have time for my guitars, unfortunately.

Thanks for the help so far guys! I hope I can solve this problem soon... it's a crappy 555, but it's still a guitar I like to play.

I think Mr. Rich could give us a hot advice. Where are you Rich?

[Rich]

Start with the string change and then report back

[carlos seo]

Originally Posted by Rich

Start with the string change and then report back

Ok, first thing to do in July then!

[nuno]

EDIT - sorry.

[carlos seo]

Originally Posted by Rich

Start with the string change and then report back

I changed the strings and everything is back to normal. It appears that the high E had a small dent that was causing all the trouble. Thanks for the help guys! You're great!