Out of Tune...

[FaceFullofFuzz]

I apologize if this is a bothersome question that is covered elsewhere, but this problem has been driving me crazy tonight.

I will have my Tribute in tune but then I'll notice certain spots that seem out of tune. A lot of this is occurring with the low E-string and somewhat on the G-string.

I will check my tuning and the E-string will be in tune open and at the 10th fret, but will be out of tune on the 3rd, 5th, 7th frets. It is the opposite with the G-string. It is a lot more prominent on the E-string. It almost seems like the string isn't staying in tune, but will read in tune.

Any suggestions on where I should start making any adjustments or corrections to help resolve this situation?

Thanks!

 

[Phildog]

Have you intonated it at the bridge? Could be that simple. Also, take a pencil and rub the tip (graphite) in all of the nut slots. The wound strings may not be "free" in their slots. If it turns out to be a nut issue, you can upgrade to a Tusq or even bone.

 

[FaceFullofFuzz]

Have you intonated it at the bridge? Could be that simple. Also, take a pencil and rub the tip (graphite) in all of the nut slots. The wound strings may not be "free" in their slots. If it turns out to be a nut issue, you can upgrade to a Tusq or even bone.

Thanks for the quick reply. No, I haven't intonated. I had the guitar setup when I purchased it so I just figured that it was intonated properly. I don't think it is the nut. Well, I do know that the slots do need filed down just a little. This is why I use Big Bends, but maybe that isn't working as well, or as long as I'd like.

 

[Phildog]

I had to read your post again to make sure I didn't miss anything. If it's in tune open (any string), but out of tune on the upper frets, I would think a full intonation is in order. You didn't say it was coming out of tune, which would be a tuner issue. You need to hook up to a tuner and adjust the saddles properly for each string.

 

[River]

Tuner "issue"? No. Nut, maybe.

That guitar is so out of intonation, your "setup" should be re-done gratis.

That, or you're hopelessly anal.

 

[FaceFullofFuzz]

Well, I guess a little intonation is now on tomorrow's to-do list.

Thanks again for the suggestion. I'll report back with the results.

 

[FaceFullofFuzz]

That, or you're hopelessly anal.

Only with pickup height. I really need to just leave those things alone.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Before you do anything, do what Phildog says and get it properly intonated; but my sense is that if the low E is in tune both open and at the 10th fret, but not on the intervening frets, it may well be a defective string.

Defects in wound strings can be hidden by the wrap. You'll need to change the strings when you intonate anyway.

 

[FaceFullofFuzz]

Well, I spent some time this morning before work intonating my Tribute. All but two strings were pretty flat at the 12th fret and the G-string was sharp. I don't think that I set the intonation perfectly, but it is closer now. The lower E is a little better but I'm still having a few problems with the fretted note being out of tune.

 

[Phildog]

Intonating is a repeat process. As soon as you adjust the saddle, you have to tune the string all over again because the string length changed. Do that until each string is tuned open and at the 12th fret. You're probably 75% there, just go through the tune/intonate process again.Then post results.

 

[skynyrd67]

I would repeat the intonation again as well but take the guitar to your local shop and have them file the nut slots open just a hair more B4 you do the final intonation. It also could be that the slots are either too tight or the just weren`t cut perfectly and the string is at a sharper angle going back to the tuners than it should be, that will affect a wound string much worse than a plain. Since you said you use the big bends sauce and it doesn`t help much that makes me think there is more of a bind at the nut than anything.