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Post subject: Sharp Frets...PLEASE HELP!
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 12:23 pm
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Hi All!

I've just aquired a new American Standard....IT IS AMAZING....but am having a little problem. My First 3 Frets seem to be a bit sharp in tone on each string. Is there any way of maybe tweeking this a bit n getting it better in tune without having to have something like a Buzz Feiten Tuning System fitted?

Im new to Stratocaster setups so any advise would be great..CHEERS! :evil:


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Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 12:36 pm
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#1) Make sure the nut is not cut too high. If it is it could force the strings to bend a little to reach the frets.

#2) Make sure the truss rod is adjusted correctly, sounds minor, but if the the truss rod is too loose, it can create to much distance between strings and frets.

#3) Check your intonation at the 12th fret for accuracy with a good tuner and adjust saddles accordingly (towards the nut if the strings are flat, away if they're sharp). Actually, this is the 1st thing you should do.

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Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:03 pm
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uiucjpo wrote:
#1) Make sure the nut is not cut too high. If it is it could force the strings to bend a little to reach the frets.

#2) Make sure the truss rod is adjusted correctly, sounds minor, but if the the truss rod is too loose, it can create to much distance between strings and frets.

#3) Check your intonation at the 12th fret for accuracy with a good tuner and adjust saddles accordingly (towards the nut if the strings are flat, away if they're sharp). Actually, this is the 1st thing you should do.


That's a good post.

Check with an electronic tuner: if your strings are in tune at the nut and at the 12th fret, but sharp at the first few frets then it is almost certainly a high nut. That is remarkably shoddy on an American - or any - Strat. If it is within warranty then having it corrected will be covered and you should take it up with an authorised Fender dealer immediately.

If you bought the guitar "pre-owned" then I'm sure this problem speaks of a replacement nut. Have a close look: do you see the nut joined to the woodwork by the lacquer coat? If not, the nut has been replaced and you have your answer.

A good way to be sure the nut is cut high: fret (or capo) the strings at the first fret and then take a look at the height of the strings above the third fret. Now, when you release the strings that gap you saw should now be the same as the height of the strings above the first fret. If it is significantly higher - then you have a badly cut nut.

Unless you know how to remedy this problem yourself you need to take it to a qualified tech. At a guess I'd imagine the work should cost you $20-25 and take no more than 30 minutes.

Cheers - C


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Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:13 pm
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Just put a earvana nut on the guitar. A lot easier to install than the BF system and you can tune in the normal way or with a regular tuner. Two things you cant do with the BF system. bought mine from WD music, took 15 minutes to put it in. Never had a intonation problem since despite changing gauges and string height.


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Post subject: THANKS!!!
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:22 pm
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Cheers for the fast replys!

Im using a Korg Pitch black tuner at the mo and it's very precise.

At first all at the 12th fret were sharp, i adjusted the tremlo closer to the body by tightning the screws at the back, this worked great, but now I have noticed a few problems at the 1st 2nd & 3rd being a bit sharp. Im also using a Boss Loop Station so when looping a riff from low down the board then riffing over it up the board im able to notice a slight intonation prob. ALL IS READY TO ROCK BUT THE FIRST 3 FRETS. Maybe im just going to have to pop it back to my store, NIGHTMARE!


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Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:32 pm
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If its new take it back, you deserve better.


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Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:32 pm
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Ceri wrote:
A good way to be sure the nut is cut high: fret (or capo) the strings at the first fret and then take a look at the height of the strings above the third fret. Now, when you release the strings that gap you saw should now be the same as the height of the strings above the first fret. If it is significantly higher - then you have a badly cut nut.

Unless you know how to remedy this problem yourself you need to take it to a qualified tech. At a guess I'd imagine the work should cost you $20-25 and take no more than 30 minutes.

Cheers - C


Good post yourself. I've been working on guitars for close to 10 years and didn't know that trick.

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Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:55 pm
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Have tried the capo at the 1st and unfortun it's the same when released, looks like a visit to the shop i think. NOTHING WORSE!

Cheers again!


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Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:57 pm
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uiucjpo wrote:
Good post yourself. I've been working on guitars for close to 10 years and didn't know that trick.


Hi, uiucjpo. It's a good one, isn't it? I got that from Ritchie Fliegler (well, from one of his books). It's so quick and practical - much easier than fiddling around with feeler gauges. Though I usually end up doing that too!

Incidentally, Ritchie Fliegler was a well-known NY tech, a successful player, has written several books on guitar and amp maintenance - and is now Senior VP for market development at Fender. So I'm prepared to trust him on this stuff! :D

Cheers - C


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Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 2:15 pm
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The problem you have described is exactly what both the Earvana and Buzz Feiten systems aim to address. Some people just don't hear the tuning problems, or they tune with a tuner and then tweak one or more of the strings to sound good for the particular song they're playing. Also, people who use a lot of distortion and modulation effects tend to be less sensitive to this problem.

The problem is most evident when you want a crystal clear sound, and you're playing chords.


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Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:14 pm
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soggycrow wrote:
The problem you have described is exactly what both the Earvana and Buzz Feiten systems aim to address. Some people just don't hear the tuning problems, or they tune with a tuner and then tweak one or more of the strings to sound good for the particular song they're playing. Also, people who use a lot of distortion and modulation effects tend to be less sensitive to this problem.

The problem is most evident when you want a crystal clear sound, and you're playing chords.



Im actually in the UK and there are quite a few places that sell the EARVANA Retro fit nuts, they look great. I might just get myself one of those and have a guitar tec fit it for me, does that sound my safest bet than tackling myself?


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Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:18 pm
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jamboski1982 wrote:
Im actually in the UK and there are quite a few places that sell the EARVANA Retro fit nuts, they look great. I might just get myself one of those and have a guitar tec fit it for me, does that sound my safest bet than tackling myself?


From what Nikininja has told us about his Earvana I'm sure it would be a great mod. But just tell us, is this Strat of yours new? Because if it is then it really should not have arrived with you in this state.

I'm very surprised: Fender's QC on this kind of thing is usually excellent these days. Just give us a bit of the back-story on this guitar, if you'd be so kind. Model, where bought, etc.

And then Niki can advise you further on the Earvana...

Cheers - C


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Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:31 pm
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Jamboski,
That's pretty much what i did. Sick of the guitar never tuning properly, get a open A to sound right and either open D or E sound way out. I put the earvana on now every other guitar sounds out except mine. I checked the fretted notes on a peterson and found nothing more than 1/2 a cent here and there. Nothing a normal user will hear. The one thing stopping me ordering a custom shop guitar is that they charge a ridiculous amount to fit one on what would basically be a 56 strat. Since i fitted the initial nut and heard the difference my 57hotrods had one fitted and im waiting for one for my tele.


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Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:47 pm
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Ceri wrote:
jamboski1982 wrote:
Im actually in the UK and there are quite a few places that sell the EARVANA Retro fit nuts, they look great. I might just get myself one of those and have a guitar tec fit it for me, does that sound my safest bet than tackling myself?


From what Nikininja has told us about his Earvana I'm sure it would be a great mod. But just tell us, is this Strat of yours new? Because if it is then it really should not have arrived with you in this state.

I'm very surprised: Fender's QC on this kind of thing is usually excellent these days. Just give us a bit of the back-story on this guitar, if you'd be so kind. Model, where bought, etc.

And then Niki can advise you further on the Earvana...

Cheers - C


Hello!
It's pretty much brand new, bought 3 weeks ago because the cut of wood is superb and looks stunning. Its a new 2008 American Std in sienna sunburst Ash body, Im in the UK and bought it from a company called reverb (formally known as Sound Control). Have had loads off them in the past and have always been good, just a shame im have these little problems with the best thing i've had from them.

my A Chord and D do sound a little out and my tuner does confirm that they are a little sharp, im just picky thru using a loop station, they are very good a picking out intonation probz!


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Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:52 pm
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If its new and you have the receipt, get it fixed via warranty. If you really love THAT guitar, its a small hassle to deal with. Fender was great when I had some high frets. They paid for a complete fret leveling AND a complete setup.

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Squier Stagemaster
Custom Built (by me) Semi Hollow Mustang
Custom built (by me) LTD EC 50 (Not finished)
Custom Built (by me) Neck-Thru SG (Not Finished)


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