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Post subject: string tune-open vs fretted?
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 11:47 am
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Playing acoustic vs elect. Never thought about the differences but I've been playing with a couple ovation acoustic/elect guitars for last 6mo. Seemed difficult for me to play - need stronger fingers and forearm :oops: Then I tried a Strat and immediately decided to get the "much easier to play" Strat and dump the Ovation acoustics. However I have a new prob. When the Strat is tuned (open strings) it sounds correct but when the strings are fretted they produce a slightly sharp tone!? It's hard to get the "true" tone if fretted too hard - like all the way to the fret board. Very difficult for me not to press down to the fret board. The acoustic was not that way at all cause the strings were heavier(I guess). So how to deal with this issue? Heavier gauge strings work? bridge tuning?I don't want to make it difficult to play. Any ideas out there?
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Tom

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Post subject: Re: string tune-open vs fretted?
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 1:30 pm
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Has your guitar had a proper setup and been correctly intonated?

http://www.fender.com/support/articles/ ... tup-guide/

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Post subject: Re: string tune-open vs fretted?
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 1:37 pm
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Yup sounds like an intonation issue. If your able to tinker yourself, follow the link Bill put in the previous response, if not take it in to a guitar tech. a basic setup and intonation shouldn't be more than around $30.
There are a few pretty good guide videos on youtube also

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Post subject: Re: string tune-open vs fretted?
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 1:44 pm
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Arnold Layne wrote:
Yup sounds like an intonation issue. If your able to tinker yourself, follow the link Bill put in the previous response, if not take it in to a guitar tech. a basic setup and intonation shouldn't be more than around $30.
There are a few pretty good guide videos on youtube also


Proper setup and a lighter touch will a long way, unless you are an SRV follower. :lol:

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Post subject: Re: string tune-open vs fretted?
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 2:03 pm
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Then again, I've a feeling this isn't even a case of needing a set up (though that never hurts).

tbdomenz, it seems you gave up the Ovation electro for a Strat because you found the acoustic hard work on the fingers, right? That's simply because it will have had strings several sizes heavier than a Strat, probably with a wound third/G string.

So the whole point of switching to the Strat was for the lighter playability - and that inevitably requires a lighter touch. If you look closely I very much doubt you really are pressing the strings hard enough to make them touch the fingerboard, even down near the nut. But if you are fretting hard enough to make the notes go sharp then you are fretting too hard.

The solution to this is not to tinker with the guitar but to learn lighter touch with the fretting hand. Much lighter.

Learning to fret strings just hard enough to make the note ring clean but no harder is one of the basic tricks of this trade. Don't worry, you'll soon have it now you're conscious of the issue.

Good luck - C

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Post subject: Re: string tune-open vs fretted?
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 5:52 pm
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Well, without knowing if the intonation is correct on the guitar now, I would start with that, and then work on your touch.


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Post subject: Re: string tune-open vs fretted?
Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 3:38 pm
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OEM strings were bad ! New slightly heavier strings are working fine.
intonation is good also. Gonna try flatwound next.
Any pros-cons with the flatwounds?
Thanks
Tom
BTW
Anyone know how to make a sig line? looked everywhere but still can't find the secret place to create one.

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Post subject: Re: string tune-open vs fretted?
Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 4:12 pm
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Click the "User Control Panel" link in the upper right side of the page. Then click the "Profile" link on the left, then click "Edit Signature". You will see a blank space for your signature. Once you have a signature line completed, click "Submit" under your signature. You will see a confirmation message, then click "Return to the User Control Panel". Then click "Board Preferences" on the left, then click "Edit Posting Defaults" and select "Yes" for "Attach my signature by default".

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Post subject: Re: string tune-open vs fretted?
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:42 am
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Thanks, I knew someone would point out the obvious :oops:

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Post subject: Re: string tune-open vs fretted?
Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 6:39 am
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Sounds like your intonation is off...

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Post subject: Re: string tune-open vs fretted?
Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 3:06 pm
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If you are coming from an acoustic guitar I would say you are pressing way to hard on the strings causing the notes to go sharp. I had this same problem when I switched from acoustic to electric. You need to learn a lighter touch especially with taller frets.


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