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Post subject: Fender 2010 USA 5tandard Intonation problems
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 10:37 am
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Hi. I bought this standard USA telecaster, in natural finish with maple neck, beautiful looking thing, brand new 27/09/2010 from DV247. Ever since I have had problems with the intonation. Now I'm not talking about miniscule problems way up the neck that might/ might not be noticeable in a solo, I'm talking about playing simple major minor chords in the first position that sound quite frankly bloody awful. I sent it back to DV247 recently but unfortunately its still a nasty sounding thing. I could tune it for 10 minutes on the Peterson stroborack and compared to my american deluxe strat which hasn't been tuned for 3 weeks, it still sounds like a dog. The A note on G string 2nd fret, seems the worst offender, being way too sharp. This probably means something up with the nut. Is there any way Fender would do anything about this for me? The only other option is to sell the guitar and buy something better, like the american deluxe tele. This seems a great shame though as it is a beautiful looking guitar and the neck is wonderfully finished and has a great feel. Dissatisfied Fender fan


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Post subject: Re: Fender 2010 USA 5tandard Intonation problems
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 10:50 am
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Hi musiciansmith, sorry you're having troubles.

Though you mentioned the nut, you didnt mention the set up. Intonation problems usually have more to do with the bridge then the nut, although if the nut slot is too tight or angled wrong a string may hang up on it and not intonate. For intonation problems the first place I would start is on the bridge pieces and make certain that they are all where they should be.
At any rate, if you haven't had a set up in a while, it would be a good idea to either take it in and have one done or if you feel confident in your skills, and have the tools, check out the setup guide(s) in the .com support area and give it a go.

Hope that helps!

ALl the best,
rob

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Post subject: Re: Fender 2010 USA 5tandard Intonation problems
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 11:15 am
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Thanks Rob. It could be a bridge problem but how would that affect the G string 2nd fret? I thought that would be caused by the nut. If the guitar needs a set up I can't do it. I sent it back to Digital Village and their guitar tech changed nothing. I originally put it into Overwater Guitars, Carlisle. Nearish to Whitehaven, and it came back in a far worse condition, the strings were literally sticking to the neck, post 12th fret and I was £128 worse off. I don't know where there is a guitar tech good enough to fix this anywhere near me in Whitehaven, cumbria. The problem is people say they can set intonation/action when in actual fact they can do nothing of the sort. The last guitar master I knew was Jimmy Moon in Glasgow, but that was a long time ago and too far away.


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Post subject: Re: Fender 2010 USA 5tandard Intonation problems
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 11:38 am
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Hi again musiciansmith,
Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with who can do what in Europe with regards to repair shops. You my want to contact Fender UK Customer Service and see if they can give you some advice on someone they know and trust to do a good job. Feel free to drop my name. (they'll say. "Who?" LOL)
Also...if it is an intonation problem...check out http://www.fender.com/support/articles/ ... etup-guide
This isnt a tough procedure. It's getting everything synched that can be a challenge (neck bow-etc)

I could be wrong but aside from from what i mentioned earlier, i can't think of a reason why the nut would play a significant part in changing intonation. It's mainly a height adjust area and a pathway to the tuning machines. As long as its cut correctly, it shouldn't have any effect on intonation since its stationary.
Neck bow in conjunction with Bridge piece placement will be more likely to need adjustment. There's a possibility that its a fret problem as well...although that would more than likely create a buzz rather then a tuning problem.
You may also want to check your pickup height as the magnets may be pulling on the string and messing with the sound/tuning.

All the best,
rob

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Post subject: Re: Fender 2010 USA 5tandard Intonation problems
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 12:01 pm
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I would just like to add something to Rob's comments and observations, re the nut. Normally this isn't the culprit with intonation problems, but if intonation is clearly out on the low frets, and chords sound bad, it may be that one, or all of the nut slots are cut a bit high. Pressing the strings down to fret them on the low frets would throw the intonation off and sound bad...especially if you have good ears and sense of pitch!

Nearest Fender dealer with a repairman might be Billy Bowman Music in Cockermouth, Cumbria.


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Post subject: Re: Fender 2010 USA 5tandard Intonation problems
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 1:04 pm
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The G string can be problematic on all guitars equiped with modern electric guitar strings in which the G is solid rather than wound. It's just the nature of the beast. When you consider that an instrument like a piano or harp has different string lengths for each pitch as well as different tensions you may begin to understand why an instrument like a guitar has adjustable saddles. The fixed string length and parallel frets of a guitar introduce intonation issues by design. Sheldon Dingwall adresses that issue in his bass guitar designs by angling both the nut and the bridge as well as the frets. Buzz Feiten has a replacement nut that addresses the issue on fixed length guitars to some degree. His system is not without pitfalls but the intonation of the guitar after installation (by a qualified dealer) will be improved both by your ear's perception as well as the tuner's but it is not dramatically apparent until you do a comparison. Tuning up will require a special procedure and some special equipment. Also the system does not lend itself well to non-standard tunings like drop D or DADGAD. Those are the pitfalls. I've played guitars equipped with his nut. When you play it you don't notice anything at all and you think it's a scam. Then when you pickup your own guitar again that's when you realize maybe there's something to it.


http://www.buzzfeiten.com/

http://www.dingwallguitars.com/basses/bass-specifications/

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Post subject: Re: Fender 2010 USA 5tandard Intonation problems
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 6:10 pm
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My 2008 Tele was 1/4" off intonation on the saddles and the nut needed a little work. It had been on the showroom for a while because of this. (It must of been assembled on a Friday afternoon, I get my best deals on ones like this!) I tweaked the nut to my liking, did the setup following the Fender guide exactly and it plays great.

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Post subject: Re: Fender 2010 USA 5tandard Intonation problems
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 9:18 pm
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Quote:
The A note on G string 2nd fret, seems the worst offender, being way too sharp.


Assuming your intonation is correct at the 12th fret, this is the classic symptom of the nut slot(s) not being cut low enough. When the nut slots aren't cut low enough, you can have perfect intonation at the 12th fret but as you go toward the nut, notes will become sharp. This is most often noticeable above the 5th fret and gets worse closer to the nut.

Quick test: Put a capo on the first fret and play open chords. Does the guitar sound in tune with a capo but not without?

If so, find a GOOD guitar tech and show him what's wrong.

FWIW, it took me 20 years of guitar playing, buying and selling, and doing my own setups to figure this out.


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Post subject: Re: Fender 2010 USA 5tandard Intonation problems
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 9:47 pm
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Wow, you'd rather sell the guitar than to set it up properly or have the nut filed ? First try setting the intonation by adjusting the bridge saddles. If that will not resolve the issue, then your nut is too tall and needs to be filed to lower the strings so you don't fret them sharp. That's all it will take man! But if ya must sell it, sell it cheap, and sell it to me ;)


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Post subject: Re: Fender 2010 USA 5tandard Intonation problems
Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 12:09 pm
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I think George is spot on. I figured this one out from the school of hard knocks also. Get the nut right before you tinker with the intonation adjustment at the bridge, or you're in for a big headache.

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Post subject: Re: Fender 2010 USA 5tandard Intonation problems
Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 2:39 am
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rjake your guitar need a complete set up

1- neck curve; truss rod adjust
2- nut, slot height
3-action : saddle height

After that, if perfectly adjust , all of your string must be in tune .

You need proper tool if you want to do it by yourself ;
Doing intonation with a "standard" quality tuner ; does'nt work unless your are lucky or have some experience.
Same for truss rod adjustement.

You can learn how to , here in this forum.


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Post subject: Re: Fender 2010 USA 5tandard Intonation problems
Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 10:53 am
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Since your problem is occurring at the second fret it sounds like you may have a nut slot that is not cut deep enough.

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Post subject: Re: Fender 2010 USA 5tandard Intonation problems
Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 2:43 pm
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stratele52 wrote:
rjake your guitar need a complete set up

1- neck curve; truss rod adjust
2- nut, slot height
3-action : saddle height

After that, if perfectly adjust , all of your string must be in tune .

You need proper tool if you want to do it by yourself ;
Doing intonation with a "standard" quality tuner ; does'nt work unless your are lucky or have some experience.
Same for truss rod adjustement.

You can learn how to , here in this forum.


Your right Stratele52. That's what I said previously. Follow the Fender setup guide. It's worked for me for 30 years.

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