So, I started hunting for a Fender VI roughly 4-5 years ago before all of the insane price jumps on the Pawnshop series happened. I’d check Guitar Center’s used section every morning between work and college; but would always be a couple minutes too slow to snatch one up for $700-800 dollars. In the mean time, I fought the urge to get a Classic Vibe as my way of convincing myself the day would eventually come.

Fast forward, and now I’m married with a young son, when suddenly a partsmaster VI comes up for $500. Pawnshop neck on a vintage modified body. Pulled the trigger and have zero regrets but did run into an issue. I’d squirreled away a spare Mastery bridge and AVRI trem for just the occasion; but I cannot get the high E string to intonate for the life of me.

Thought it was weird since everyone seems to have the issue with the low E. I’ve been doing setups on offset guitars (jazzmasters, jaguars, mustangs, jagstangs) for years now, and don’t see any solution besides getting a 1” bridge. The Mastery simply does not have enough room on the base to loosen the saddle enough for proper high E intonation. Checked my stock of squirreled away things and found a 56mm 9.5 radius mustang bridge that has exactly the same issue.

I can get literally every string intonated except the high E; which is VERY flat. Checked the nut and there’s no issue there. Neck relief is literally perfect and there are no hang ups on frets either. Really bummed that fender doesn’t produce a 1” bridge option for these guys. Is my only option at this point Staytrem or grinding down a saddle to better extend the breaking point of the string?

Thanks a lot everyone for the help. Been a member on this sub in anticipation forever and am finally psyched to feel like I belong! lol. Will post pictures once the new guard shows up of course 😉