HELP In tune but not in tune

Volta · November 16th, 2008, 12:05 AM

Ok, i found this problem a while ago and i just started fiddlign aroudn with my guitar a bit. It's the first time i've done anythign to my guitar besides rolling the tone knobs so bear with me:

The first two strings (high E and B) are in tune, but not in tune. Confusing, uh? Anyways, from the 7th fret down, they sound A-ok, but after the 7th fret they get more and more out of tune as you get along. The B string is almost a half step down by the 15 fret. It really annoyns me cuz i can't play anything above the seventh fret without sounding...well, out of tune, and really bad.

I tried fiddling with the truss rod cuz prior to this i hadn't touched it, but nothing happened. I tried lowering the bridges, but same thing, no-go. So now i ran out of ideas, OR -more than likely- i adjusted the truss rod and/or the briges wrong. Or maybe my guitar has ran its course. It's a Fender squier strat, so i'd say it had a pretty good run. I just hope u ppl can help me cuz i don't have the money for a new guitar right now :P

bin4christ · November 16th, 2008, 01:57 AM

sounds like an intonation problem. u can try to adjust the screw saddles to a point whereby each fret for each string sounds right. otherwise just bring it to a tech..

Phat-O-Caster · November 16th, 2008, 07:38 AM

If the octave at the 12th fret is flat you need to shorten the length of the string- pretty typical

Zman · November 16th, 2008, 08:09 AM

I agree with both posts, it is an intonation problem. I have a great tech and he charges 35 plus strings for a set up. I have taken complete dogs to him and they come back sweet as honey. The guitar will "feel" better as well because the notes will ring out a lot easier and not sound "dead".
It is something that if you learn how to do it will totally enhance your enjoyment of the guitar. I have never tried.

GordonRules24 · November 16th, 2008, 08:33 AM

Learning to do stuff like this is the reason the Good Lord gave us Squier Strats. Now that my son has taken up bass, his Squier Mini has become my guinea pig and I've taught myself to do truss rod, action, and intonation adjustments. I was even able to fix the horrible factory setup on my new Squier Deluxe so that it plays exactly the way I like it. Z's right, it really enhances your enjoyment of owning and playing the electric guitar. Try it, you'll like it!

A digital tuner is essential to set the intonation correctly. All you have to do is tune the open string to pitch. Then sound the harmonic at the 12th fret. If the harmonic reads flat, turn the screw at the back of the base plate to move the saddle forward and shorten the speaking length of the string. If the harmonic is sharp, do the opposite. Make your adjustments in small increments and be sure to re-tune the string after each adjustment because moving the saddle will change the tuning. It's really easy to do and will put your guitar in tune all the way up the neck.

still_fiddlin · November 16th, 2008, 12:43 PM

You should not be 1/2 step out. First, get a set of new strings. Old strings can go "false" and you'll never be able to get them in tune, and they'll often have symptoms similar to what you describe. Then, adjust action (string height, relief) using basic guidelines at Fender and repeated here and elsewhere. Check tuning and intonation with a digital tuner. Just tune open and fretted 12th. Assuming you're using wound bottom 3 and unwound top 3, you'll probably end up with bridge saddles in a pair of "steps" like the attachment. If you are still having significant problems, take it to someone that can really set up the guitar.

gcconspiracy · November 16th, 2008, 04:44 PM

yeah, intonation is an easy fix, and even if you don't do it yourself, it will be WELL worth it to take your guitar in to get it set up... Chances are your guitar has lots of "run" left in it... it's the beauty of Leo's designs, tons of adjustment options!

-gcc

ps - if you want to learn how to set your guitar up, I suggest going to this site: Fender Stratocaster: Electric Guitar ...Village Videos , or picking up a book on the subject, there are a lot of good ones out there!

sparkeyjames · November 16th, 2008, 07:32 PM

There are a number of websites that can teach you how to intone your axe.
I found this one very helpful.
Project Guitar :: Adjusting Intonation
Do not attempt to intone your guitar until your have your string action and neck bow set correctly.
Remember after you intone your guitar you should stay with the same gauge strings this will insure that your intonation will stay pretty much the same through any string changes. Other issues are that no matter how hard you try not all frets positions on all strings will truly be in tune some will always be out. This can drive some folks crazy.
To combat this there are a couple of compensating nut systems. I tried the Earvana compensating nut. I put it on a cheap strat I had. I called this strat otto because it could go ot o' tune in less time than what it takes to put it down and pick it up again. Anyway as an experiment I decided to put an Earvana nut on it. Did it stop going out of tune NO but when it was in tune it was in tune all the way down the fretboard with only 2 frets being more than 2 cent out and that on only 2 strings. Then otto got a new neck it now stays in tune but the compensating nut is on the old narrower neck. Ah well.

bin4christ · November 17th, 2008, 07:31 AM

Zman: damn if only i know of techs who charge $35 for setups..

Zman · November 17th, 2008, 01:16 PM

It is hard to believe. The price has been the same for 3 years. This is one of the highest volume dealers in the area as well. You get a free set up with a new purchase.
This is no quicky either. He does adjust the neck, files the nut if needed, intonation, tremelo adjustment, pickup height and action, dresses any high frets and will oil your rosewood board as well. This guy is a magician. He saved a 68 reissue that I stupidly left under the bed in it's case in the winter time, next to a heat vent. I took a lot but he saved it.