Sharp Notes - Need your opinion

[BillS22]

Need your opinion

I'm new to electrics, but I played accustic for 20 years.

When I play my LP, especially down at the first 3 or 4 frets, I press too hard get sharp chords, especially the G string.

I asked a few people around town and got several suggestions.

1. Don't press so hard
2. Have my frets filed
3. Use a set of strings that has a wound G string

What do you say?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[WildeStarr]

If I had to pick just one, it would be number one. If your electric has light strings, you are probably not used to them, having played acoustic only for 20 years.

 

[wallyguitar]

the first place i would start would be the nut. I'd bet that your string slots at the nut are too high (not cut deep enough). When the strings are too high at the nut it nakes the notes in the first few frets sound sharp. I'd take it to a tech and have him dress/re-cut the nut. I'll bet this will solve your problem.

 

[LesPRS]

the first place i would start would be the nut. I'd bet that your string slots at the nut are too high (not cut deep enough). When the strings are too high at the nut it nakes the notes in the first few frets sound sharp. I'd take it to a tech and have him dress/re-cut the nut. I'll bet this will solve your problem.

Agreed. A good way to check this yourself is to fret each string at the third fret and check the distance between the first fret and the string. There should be a very small amount of space between the two. And by small I mean you have to look closely to see, anything more than a 1/64th of inch can be lowered.

 

[kara_05]

I had the same problem when I moved from Acoustic to my Les Paul about 4-5 months ago. I was forever over fretting the open A and D chord.

I was used to playing with 12's on my acoustic and the 10's on the LP's took me a few weeks to get used to. I also tried 10-52 and 11-48 but in the end I adjusted to the 10-46 and have settled on that gauge (though the 11-48 was very close).

Give yourself a few weeks to get used to the lighter gauge if that doesn't work try a slighlty heavier gauge.

Happy playing

 

[lp59aholicDon]

I had the same problem when I moved from Acoustic to my Les Paul about 4-5 months ago. I was forever over fretting the open A and D chord.

I was used to playing with 12's on my acoustic and the 10's on the LP's took me a few weeks to get used to. I also tried 10-52 and 11-48 but in the end I adjusted to the 10-46 and have settled on that gauge (though the 11-48 was very close).

Give yourself a few weeks to get used to the lighter gauge if that doesn't work try a slighlty heavier gauge.

Happy playing

All the above suggestions with an added emphasis on slightly heavier strings plus practice , practice and more practice, I am sure you will work the glitch out in time I think you dont really need a wound G string , just more hands on feel with the electric

 

[BillS22]

Thanks everybody. Don't mind practicing, in fact, I need give my LP a rest.

I was absolutely amazed when I played it for the first time. All I had to do is rest my fingers on the strings and I got an open A chord....a nice break from my acoustic....

Thanks,
Bill

 

[Unknown]

the first place i would start would be the nut. I'd bet that your string slots at the nut are too high (not cut deep enough). When the strings are too high at the nut it nakes the notes in the first few frets sound sharp. I'd take it to a tech and have him dress/re-cut the nut. I'll bet this will solve your problem.

Agreed. A good way to check this yourself is to fret each string at the third fret and check the distance between the first fret and the string. There should be a very small amount of space between the two. And by small I mean you have to look closely to see, anything more than a 1/64th of inch can be lowered.

+1

The problem that you're describing is fairly typical.

 

[HolyGrail]

+1

The problem that you're describing is fairly typical.

NUT !​

They all called it ! You guys are good !
Yep ! and always Practice !!!!​

 

[Blues Power]

id say the harder you press the bigger the tone. atleast for me anyways....

id do the nut thang already mentioned but b4 that check the action, intonation and the neck.

 

[magnido45]

scenario: say I come across the same problem, and it's diagnosed as a bad nut...and it was recommended that the nut be replaced...what kind (and made by who) would you guys recommend? Heard good things about Buzz Feiten system?

 

[Unknown]

scenario: say I come across the same problem, and it's diagnosed as a bad nut...and it was recommended that the nut be replaced...what kind (and made by who) would you guys recommend? Heard good things about Buzz Feiten system?

Well... If you came across the "sharp notes on open chords" problem, as was the case in the original post, a nut replacement is not necessary. It means that the nut slots are not cut deep enough, which is easily remedied.

However, if the slots are cut too deep, then a nut replacement IS necessary. In which case, I would go with bone, unless you could find some pre-ban ivory.

I had an acoustic with the Buzz Feiten system on it. It seemed to work okay, but I don't think that I'd consider it for my Lester, but that's just me.

 

[coldsteal2]

sounds like the frets are too high

 

[Axeman16]

1.