Frets ?

[ido1957]

Open D chord is sharp on the 2nd fret of B string, depending on finger pressure.
File the fret? If yes, which one? If no, what to do?
I'm sure some will say use a lighter touch, however, this only happens on my LPC, none of my other guitars have or ever had this issue. I don't want to have to adjust for this one guitar, I just want to play and have things be in tune, without thinking about it.
I'm posting here as I'm assuming those who work on LPs would be familiar with the issue.

 

[tabascom16]

Not exactly sure how you are going to defy the laws of physics on this one. Notes are all about tension and string length. Since the strings really don't hit the fret board, the harder you push the more tension you are going to place on the string. Are you sure intonation for the B string is perfect? Also did you restring recently since old strings can get worn at each fret and I found it to cause intonation issues? Any noticeable wear on the B string at the second fret that would change the effective length of the string? i would exhaust all possible options before messing with the fret.

 

[ARandall]

First stop is doing intonation properly.......and I don't mean the abomination that is the 12th fret method.
Fret each note and see what it reads.....then adjust the saddle

 

[The Ballzz]

My best guess is a nut issue. Most folks poo-poo making actual measurements, but if you are asking this question you may not be really adept at checking "by feel" so a measurement can help. Fret each string "GENTLY" between the second and third fret. The clearance between the first fret and the bottom of the string should be no more than 0.010 inch. I like my own a bit lower at about 0.007 inch on the low E graduating down to 0.004 inch or 0.005 inch on the High E, though this lower spec does not allow much extra room for wear. Making sure the nut is low enough helps ensure that fretting near the nut does not "bend/stretch" the string sharp while getting it to the fret.
HTH,
Gene

 

[pshupe]

First stop is doing intonation properly.......and I don't mean the abomination that is the 12th fret method.
Fret each note and see what it reads.....then adjust the saddle

How do you do this properly? If you fret each note and see what it reads then wouldn't you have to have it correct open and at the 12th fret? If the others are slightly off how do you move each individual fret to compensate?

Regards Peter.

 

[Freddy G]

Sounds like a classic nut slot issue. They are often cut too high. To check if that is the case a really simple method is to capo the first fret, tune the guitar and see how your open chords sound then.

 

[Skyjerk]

First stop is doing intonation properly.......and I don't mean the abomination that is the 12th fret method.
Fret each note and see what it reads.....then adjust the saddle

I second Peters question. What is this 12th fret abomination of which you speak?

 

[Freddy G]

I second Peters question. What is this 12th fret abomination of which you speak?

He simply means that you shouldn't take the 12 fret as gospel. I will also fret notes above and below the 12th and glean an average.

 

[ido1957]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll try out your suggestions and see if they help the situation. And just noticed my OP was a little off - it's the D note on the B string (not second fret although that may be involved).

 

[WezV]

He simply means that you shouldn't take the 12 fret as gospel. I will also fret notes above and below the 12th and glean an average.

Yeah, I normally start with the 12th fret and then check 5th and 17th too. If I can get a balance between all these reference points I am happy.

Some times it’s worth tuning so the 5th fret is in tune and checking intonation at 12th and 17th fretted notes. If they are all in tune, but the open string isn’t, the nut is the culprit

 

[ido1957]

Took it to a local guitar tech. Known for his work on friend's many guitars and basses. We discussed the problem, he'll take a look and see what the nut is like, etc etc. I use 9-42 so that makes it tougher right off the bat - 10's are better for tuning stability but murder on my small hands.

 

[ido1957]

Got my LPC back. Main fix was to lower the nut slots slightly for the offending strings. Now the pressure of my fingers does not cause the strings to go sharp. Other fixes included cleaning up the bridge slots, raising the bridge a bit, some fret polishing, truss rod adjust, tightening up everything.