Nut Issue please help!

[padavis]

My Comanche is having a problem. I think it is a nut issue. Anyways to make it fairly to the point and hopefully easy to solve, when I tune, then play the G string open and check it at the 12th, fretted and harmonic, everything is good and in tune. However, when playing a D the G string when it becomes an A it is too sharp! But, when I move up and play else where everything is fine. Is the not slut too high or is it slotted to deep? I sort of feel like it is not slotted enough... I do not really know what to do. I have moved the saddles up down forward back all of that and I can always make it right with some tweaking but it changes when I fret really just when I make a d chord...
Any help would be awesome!
Thanks,
Patrick

[BryanMatthews]

welcome to equal temprement tuning.

Bryan

[Mike9]

You could try an Earvana compensated nut.

[BryanMatthews]

or you could just live with it as the vast majority of players do. you take any ordinary guitar and you will find some frets are on the money and some are out, its the essence of equal temprement tuning and you know who created it.......Bach. If you saw a diagram showing theoretical fret locations on a guitar in tune from frets 1 - 22 you would understand perfectly. The thorn in the side of equal temp tuning is the maj 3rd interval, play the f# and d within a 2nd position D maj chord and listen to them clash...ouch !! thats a 14 cent clash.

quit worrying , all is fine and as it should be.

Bryan

[David Collins]

Patrick, I think in all practical terms you're right on with your appraisal. While there are a plethora of other issues from temperament to tolerances, If you get the nut slots cut to a good height you will probably end up just fine. I don't think issues related to temperament are what's being complained of here, just nut slots too high as they pretty much all are unless they've been addressed before.

In my experience, learning how to set nut slots is a pretty long learning curve for most, and at least a modest investment in tools to do it right. Since in usually only has to be done once when new then in tandem with fret work from there on, it's usually something I recommend just taking it to a pro.

[Bantha]

When I saw the title I was about to refer you to my urologist...

sorry attempt at humor now off...

[Bob V]

Originally Posted by David Collins

Patrick, I think in all practical terms you're right on with your appraisal. While there are a plethora of other issues from temperament to tolerances, If you get the nut slots cut to a good height you will probably end up just fine. I don't think issues related to temperament are what's being complained of here, just nut slots too high as they pretty much all are unless they've been addressed before.

In my experience, learning how to set nut slots is a pretty long learning curve for most, and at least a modest investment in tools to do it right. Since in usually only has to be done once when new then in tandem with fret work from there on, it's usually something I recommend just taking it to a pro.

+1

If the nut slot is too high, then you're stretching the string a little more when fretting the first few positions compared to higher up the neck, and that throws off the intonation. Have the nut slots brought down as low as your playing style will tolerate and it will be a lot better. Not perfect enough for the compensated-nut, Feiten guys, but...

[padavis]

Thanks guys lots of good advice. I could leave it, but its really just too much. If I tune the G slightly flat its great when fretting but then theres open notes and blah its back! But if I could get it just a little less sharp when playing a D I would be fine so I think I might just go a little at a time trying to make the notch a little bit more deep. If I cant do it I'll send her to a pro. Oh and my nut(s) are good... I think? haha

[Anthony M]

I had a simular problem with an Am Standard Fender Strat that I returned to GC over the weekend. Any note on the low E after the nut would be sharp. But if I went a touch flat, it would be flat on the open note. Even after taking the saddle all the way back, nothing really worked. In my case, I had the 30 window. I think it's the nut too. Good luck!

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...d.php?t=373228

[fullerplast]

Originally Posted by padavis

Thanks guys lots of good advice. I could leave it, but its really just too much. If I tune the G slightly flat its great when fretting but then theres open notes and blah its back! But if I could get it just a little less sharp when playing a D I would be fine so I think I might just go a little at a time trying to make the notch a little bit more deep. If I cant do it I'll send her to a pro. Oh and my nut(s) are good... I think? haha

Almost certainly your slot is too high.....it's one of the most common problems with nuts. The fretted notes at the first several frets will be sharp. The slot should be approximately at the height of the frets, just a tiny bit higher. Work very slowly and check it in steps so you don't go too far.