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Post subject: Guitar second fret not in tune
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:23 am
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Hobbyist
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Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 11:21 am
Posts: 8
I bought a new American Special HHS and my second fret is not in tune with my middle strings especially A. Has anybody else had this problem?


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Post subject: Re: Guitar second fret not in tune
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 12:12 pm
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Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 1:09 pm
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Location: Richmond, VA
Poorly cut nut slots are the most likely culprit. Get 'em re-done. You may need a new nut.


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Post subject: Re: Guitar second fret not in tune
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 12:38 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Yep, the nut may be too high and needs the slots cut deeper. Or your intonation needs adjustment.


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Post subject: Re: Guitar second fret not in tune
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 10:01 am
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Thanks for the response I replaced the strings and streched them good and that made the differance. I will remember about the nut just in case I have a problem that strings don't remedy. I'm new to this forum and the responses I've had with 2 seperate issues has generated 23 replies. That's great.


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Post subject: Re: Guitar second fret not in tune
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 7:17 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2011 2:35 pm
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Location: Just East of Event Horizon
colorman wrote:
I bought a new American Special HHS and my second fret is not in tune with my middle strings especially A.

Colorman,

You didn't mention whether you adjusted the intonation, which you must do.

To adjust the intonation, depress each string at the 12th fret and check the 12th fret note tuning. The tuning for each string at the 12th fret should be the same as the tuning of each open string.

With new strings that have been fully stretched out and tuned, depress each string at the 12th fret and check the tuning at the 12th fret. If the 12th fret note is sharp (higher) in comparison to the open string note, lengthen the string length by moving the bridge saddle backward by tightening the adjustment screw. If the note is flat (lower) in comparison to the open string note, shorten the string length by moving the bridge saddle forward by loosening the adjustment screw.

After each movement of the bridge saddle, re-tune the string or stings affected and again test the intonation at the 12th fret. Repeat the process until the open string notes and the 12th fret notes for each string are as closely in tune as possible.

Once your intonation is correct at the 12th fret, you may find that if you are using a A-440 tuning calibrated tuner (A-440 tuning is standard tuning where an "A" note vibrates at 440hz), that the tuning of the larger strings at the second fret are slightly sharp, up to where 442-443 is indicated on your tuner strobe. This is a normal variation that is caused by the curvature distance of the frets as you move away from the 12th fret and is normally not perceptible to the ear.

If you have a 3 barrel bridge, the intonation adjustment at the 12th fret will always be a compromise, as you do not have 6 independent bridge saddles, and the tuning variance at the second fret may be either less or greater depending on whether the string is slightly flat or slightly sharp at the 12th fret, relative to the open string note.

It is extremely doubtful that you have any problem with your nut, assuming that you are using light .09 strings that the guitar was designed to use.


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