A close-up image of a Wilkinson by Gotoh bridge mounted on a green guitar.
The Wilkinson by Gotoh WT3 bridge is a bit of a pain to intonate, but ultimately worth the effort.

How to Intonate the Wilkinson by Gotoh WT3 Bridge

The Wilkinson by Gotoh WT3 is a vintage-style 3-saddle Telecaster bridge. Unlike a traditional 3-saddle bridge, the WT3's saddles pivot so you can adjust the intonation of each string separately. Each saddle supports two strings, so you have to find the precise angle and position that results in both strings having the correct intonation. It's a process of trial and error that requires some patience. Here's how to do it.

I'm writing with the assumption that you're already familiar with the concept of intonation and how to adjust it on a typical electric guitar. If not, StewMac has a good primer on the subject.)

You'll need:
- An accurate tuner
- A 2mm hex key for the pivot screws
- A Phillips head screwdriver for the position screws

Start by making sure the guitar is set up and tuned. Intonation is normally the last step in a setup so your string height and neck adjustments should already be done and the guitar should play well, if not perfectly in tune.

Repeat the following steps for each saddle:

  1. Check that both strings are in tune. Adjust if necessary.
  2. Check the intonation of both strings at the 12th fret. Don't worry about adjusting them yet. Just take note of how flat or sharp each string is.
  3. Loosen the pivot screw (the hex screw in the middle of the saddle, between the height adjustment screws) and adjust the angle of the saddle until both strings are flat or sharp by the same amount. You aren't looking for perfect intonation yet. You're looking for the correct relationship between the lengths of the two strings. You'll need to detune the strings to reduce tension enough that you can move the saddle, then tighten the pivot screw and retune to re-check the intonation. This will take a few tries.
  4. When both strings are flat/sharp by the same amount, adjust the position screw (the Phillips screw on the rear edge of the bridge) to bring them into correct intonation. Keep retuning and checking the intonation of both strings after each small adjustment. You may find that you have to repeat step 3 to really dial it in.

This isn't the easiest bridge to adjust but it's a lot better than having to compromise on intonation. The Wilkinson by Gotoh WT3 is a good option if you want a vintage look for a new build or an appropriate upgrade for a Telecaster that was built with a traditional 3-saddle bridge.

Thank you for reading!

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