Evertune Tuning and Setup Guide

EverTune overview

In this article, we will give you a comprehensive look at the EverTune bridge system, including what it is, how to set it up, and how to optimize it for your playing style. After that, we will show you how to make other guitar setup fixes such as adjusting your guitar’s action and intonation. Follow along below and get started!

1. What is EverTune and what are its benefits?
2. How does EverTune work?
   • EverTune bridge zone 1
   • EverTune bridge zone 2
   • EverTune bridge zone 3
3. EverTune tuning process
   • Get your guitar in tune
4. Set up your EverTune to bend
5. Changing strings with an EverTune installed
6. Advanced Evertune setup
   • Adjusting EverTune action
   • Adjusting EverTune intonation

What is EverTune and what are its benefits?

The EverTune is a bridge system that is commonly misunderstood. Because traditional guitar bridge styles remain popular, the EverTune bridge modern design is often overlooked. Despite its misconceptions, the EverTune could be one of the most innovative guitar inventions since the Floyd Rose.

The EverTune bridge allows you to maintain the precise tuning of an electric guitar. With an EverTune bridge, you will retain the ability to keep consistent tuning and intonation across all strings, regardless of how heavy you play or environmental conditions your instrument may be exposed to, such as changes in humidity or temperature.

How does EverTune work?

The EverTune utilizes a “floating” saddle system. Each saddle is housed in an independent module that gives it the ability to pivot. Tension from the guitar string pulls the saddle one way, while a spring inside the module pulls back the other direction at equal tension. This balanced or “activated” state allows for the saddle to compensate for, thus canceling any change in tension that may occur to the string from bending, heavy playing, or changes in humidity/temperature, etc.

The pivoting saddle has a defined range of motion. There are two points within the module that stop the saddle from moving. These points are called the Back Stop and the Bend Stop. Once the saddle hits one of these points, the saddle can no longer compensate, and the pitch of the string will begin to change. EverTune refers to these points as “Zones.” Here’s how this works:

EverTune bridge zone 1

When there is not enough string tension to allow the saddle to float, the spring pulls it against the Back Stop. This is referred to as Zone 1. You will hear the pitch of the string change when turning the tuning key.

Zone 1

EverTune bridge zone 2

As string tension increases, the saddle begins to move off of the Back Stop and float in between the Back Stop and Bend Stop. This is referred to as Zone 2. The saddle is considered to be “activated” in this state. You will know you are there when the string’s pitch stops changing and remains the same as you turn the tuning key.

Zone 2

Zone 2 explained

EverTune bridge zone 3

As the tuner continues to turn, the saddle moves further from the Back Stop (Zone 1) and closer to the Bend Stop. Once the saddle hits the Bend Stop, it is now in Zone 3. You will recognize when this happens as the string will rise in pitch again.

Zone 3

As long as the saddle has room to pivot (Activated with the saddle floating freely in Zone 2), the string will not change pitch, no matter how hard you bend the strings. This is what gives the EverTune bridge it’s incredible tuning stability. Because of this concept, there is a common misconception that an EverTune bridge system will not allow you to bend your strings intentionally. This perception, however, is false. 

While you certainly can set a saddle up to not allow the string to bend pitch, one of the greatest parts of the EverTune is that it can maintain its incredible tuning stability while still allowing the ability to bend strings like any other guitar. Utilizing Zone 3 in your EverTune setup will allow you to bend your strings’ pitch like a typical guitar while still retaining stable tuning. (More on that later.)

Now that we know the basic mechanics of how the Evertune bridge system works, we can set up our EverTune equipped guitar to play great and allow you to bend strings like a typical guitar. One of the EverTune bridge’s best features is that once you’ve completed the initial setup, you will rarely (if ever) need to make any further adjustments to the instrument. The only tools you will need (besides an amp and tuner), are the included EverTune key, or a 2.5mm Allen wrench.

A Look Inside EverTune

EverTune tuning process

The first step in setting up your guitar with an EverTune installed is to make sure it’s in tune. With an EverTune bridge, tuning works a bit differently than a standard guitar, but it’s still easy to do. The critical thing to remember with an EverTune bridge is that your tuning keys on the headstock are not for tuning the pitch but instead determine which Zone the saddle rests. The string’s primary tuning will be done via the Spring Tension Screw, located in the saddle. Here are the steps to get your guitar in tune:

Get your guitar in tune

The spring tension screws

Notes on tuning with the EverTune bridge

Set up your EverTune to bend

Now that our guitar is in tune, we can set it up to bend notes like you would on any other guitar. What’s great about the EverTune bridge is that because each saddle is an independent system, you can control which strings will be allowed to bend (or not), and how responsive those strings are to your playing style. So, if you’re a player who only bends notes on certain strings, you can set your guitar up to bend on only the strings that you want. Setting your guitar up to bend is pretty simple:

Bend stop

Notes on bending guitar strings with the EverTune bridge

Setting Saddle into Bend Position

Changing strings with an EverTune installed

With your EverTune bridge set up, you will rarely (if ever) need to make any further adjustments. At some point, however, you’ll want to change your strings. Because the EverTune bridge contains no string locking mechanisms, changing strings is the same as it would be on any string-through style body/bridge system. 

Assuming your new strings are the same gauge as the old strings, your guitar should be in tune once you rewind your saddle placement up to Zone 2. It’s always a good idea to stretch your strings and reset your bend sensitivity to your liking, which will require a slight Zone adjustment. If you decide to change string gauges, you will need to follow the tuning and bend setup procedures listed above.

Advanced EverTune setup

Now that we’ve covered the EverTune bridge system basics, we can discuss the more advanced adjustments: intonation and action. Making these adjustments is pretty straightforward. However, we consider these advanced adjustments because you need to understand what these concepts are on a standard guitar before applying it to your EverTune equipped instrument. 

If you are not familiar with these concepts, do not fret. We have some helpful articles about setting action and adjusting intonation that walk you through how these work. If you already have a good grasp on setting up intonation and action, read below to learn how to make these adjustments on your EverTune.

Adjusting EverTune action

Action adjustment screws.

Adjusting EverTune intonation

1. Make sure your guitar is in tune using the tuning process.
2. Use the intonation adjustment screw, located on the tail end of the bridge, to move the saddle back and forth.
   • If your intonation is sharp, turn the screw clockwise to move the saddle back. If your intonation is flat, turn the screw counter-clockwise to move the saddle forward.
3. Retune the string and recheck your intonation.
   • Intonation adjustments change where the saddle is placed within Zone 2, which could drastically bring you out of tune. It’s important to always reset your Zone and retune that string after making an intonation adjustment.
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 until your intonation is set correctly.

Intonation adjustment screws.

Intonation

Additional resources

Knowledge Base