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Git'r mechanics - HELP MEEEE!!!!

OK, I'm ready to make my Ibanez into firewood. :evil:
This is the one I put the graphite nut on in order to eliminate the strings sticking to the original cheap plastic nut, which was causing tuning problems.
I cut it to identical dimensions to the original and installed it, and now I've got a new problem. Please help!

OK. Now that the new nut is on, and each string tuned to perfect pitch, you can't fret anything without it going WAY sharp. EX: if I fret the 3rd/G string at the 2nd fret, for an A, it sounds at well above A. They're all like that. Furthermore, the harder you press the string at a fret, the sharper it goes. I didn't used to have that problem.

I've done a bt of diddling...the neck had the tiniest bit of bow in it, so I adjusted that out, reset the action/height, re-intoned; no improvement.
I put the bow BACK into the neck, repeated the entire process....same result.

At this point I'd take it to a REAL git'r mechanic, a pro, and let him sort it out...but there isn't anyone worth a dam within a few hundred miles of here. And I don't know any regular guys who're really good at this stuff. Or at least better at it than I am. :roll:

I'd really appreciate any input from the experienced git'r mechanics out there. I'm ready to let my dog off the leash and start using my git'rs for firewood. :shock: :evil:

Comments

  • One possible solution is to install a \"zero\" fret. Monte Allums sells a kit and instructions. I do this when I build a strat from parts.





    http://www.monteallums.com/enut_tuning.html#ensupp
  • One possible solution is to install a \"zero\" fret. Monte Allums sells a kit and instructions. I do this when I build a strat from parts.
    Checked it out...lots of good stuff on that site, but I'm not sure this is the cause of - or the solution to - my problem. And yet what he has to say makes a lot of sense. Now I'm REALLY confused. Sure one of you geenyusez won't come over and tune up this ax? And bring Shania w/you? :lol:

    I might try deepening the slots on the nut, as the site 'flood listed suggests. But if it doesn't work, not only have I ruined a new graphite nut, I still have a git'r that won't play. :cry::cry:
  • Are you absolutely positive there were no remnants of glue from the 1st round of nut swaps, possibly raising the nut ever so incrementally?...if you take it off again, I would use a magnifying glass & bright light, especially where the headstock meets the neck.... the old glue could have created an unwanted radius at the 90* angle
  • Are you absolutely positive there were no remnants of glue from the 1st round of nut swaps, possibly raising the nut ever so incrementally?...if you take it off again, I would use a magnifying glass & bright light, especially where the headstock meets the neck.... the old glue could have created an unwanted radius at the 90* angle
    Nope...I cleaned it out reall good, nice level surface for the new nut. Good thought though...still ain't playin' it. It's sitting on my DR table, like a surgery patient and the dr.'s (me) are standing around lookin' at each other... :oops:
  • My son suggests that a Strat or Tele would cure your problem. :D
  • tune the guitar up again

    check the releif in the neck by holding the D or G at the first and last fret
    there should be slight gap at the 9th fret. Adjust truss rod as needed.

    THEN


    ......................hold the high E string down at the 3rd fret................there shouldn't be much or no gap at the first fret (Slightly OFF the fret or slightly touching).

    the B & G
    about the same.........


    Then for the D you want slightly more Gap

    A slightly more than D

    E slightly more than A
  • After heeding 'maul's advice on truss adjustment, I saw some improvement, but still have low/open fret dissonance. I think I'm going to try the zero-fret solution...shows ya how desperate I am to get this ax playable. :?
  • My son suggests that a Strat or Tele would cure your problem. :D
    Get a Fender to improve tuning problems??? I'd drug-test that kid. :shock:
  • Don't forget, he IS a drummer!
  • Don't forget, he IS a drummer!
    :lol: That explains a lot. :lol:

    PS my zero-nut kits'll (http://www.monteallums.com/enut_tuning.html#ensupp) be here, and hopefully installed, by New Year's. Stand by for news and reviews; and now, here's Whip with sports!!! :lol:
  • Hmm......ever heard adjusting intonation? With a Fender it's very easy.....

    Just kidding......what bridge do you own, is it a hard tail, one with saddles (like Fender Strat) or a Floyd Rose........that depends heavely.......


    Or else just bring it to a guitar builder nearby, I am sure he can help you reslove your problem.....but to me it sounds you need to adjust the intonation of the guitar.........tuning is one thing intonation the other necessary....
  • Yeah, I know about intonation and it's importance/relevance to tuning. I do it on all my git'rs.
    This particular rig has a hard tail bridge, but with individual saddles, like a strat. Very easy to adjust.
    I'd loooove to take it to a good git'r mechanic and have him straighten all this out, but there isn't one within 500 miles of here. :?
  • i use feeler gauges for measuring the distance needed between the first fret and the strings.I make all my nuts out of graphtechs \"TUSQ\",using stewmacs nut making kit and a few other choice tools..010(high e)-.016(low e) space between the strings and the frets (pressed at the 3rd)... with highth of .054 at the 24th fret with the string pressed at the first fret.at the same time i press the string at the first and 24th fret and make sure the neck is perfectly straight :D if i get the slightest buzz,then i relevel the fretboard.....................................................

    a sharpening fretted note sounds to me like the nut slots are too high :?

    I was taught by Neal Moser on the attack of making a \"nut\".after 20,i had a good handle of it but after 50 i was realizing how much of a balancing act,a nut does for the strings.After 100,i get it right on, but there are still times when i go a hair too deep and end up scrappin a new nut :x

    nutmaking IS a fine art :wink:
  • edited December 2007
    I actually think my new nut is a hair LOW; narrow gap at 1st fret when fretting each string at 3rd, and the high E is actually touching the fret. But...when fingering chords, it still stretches out of tune (sharp). :evil:
  • \shredd\ wrote:
    I actually think my new nut is a hair LOW; VERY narrow spacing at 1st fret when fretted at 3rd. But...when fingering chords, it still stretches out of tune (sharp). :evil:

    is this it??

    http://www.jemsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51189

    in order to go sharp,you would have to increase string highth an press like hell :shock:

    the nut needs to be right on...... Locking tuners wouldn't hurt either :wink: your problem definately exists at the end of the neck.

    i believe this calls for pics!other than that .....the best advice i can give is buy Dan Erlewines \"guitar repair guide\",buy the nut making system from stewmac,a bunch of blanks........................and get \"experienced\".....but what do I know :? :lol:

    jayshopsig1-1.jpg
  • \cyclonic\ wrote:
    \shredd\ wrote:
    I actually think my new nut is a hair LOW; VERY narrow spacing at 1st fret when fretted at 3rd. But...when fingering chords, it still stretches out of tune (sharp). :evil:
    is this it?? http://www.jemsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51189
    in order to go sharp,you would have to increase string highth an press like hell :shock:
    That's the EXACT git'r I have, even the color. The transparent black is nice too. Except I replaced the crappy EMG's with D/M PAF Pro's, wired for coil-tapping. BIG improvement.
    Now I just need to straighten out this low-fret tuning issue. It was like this even with the original nut, and the one I made was to identical dimensions; I actually ended up making it about 1/4-1/2 mm shorter, to keep the strings low and avoid the tuning issue of too-high nut combined with excess fretting pressure causing out-of-tunage.
    'Cuz if I don't sound good, Cam won't return my phone calls. :?
  • i'd really like to help ya on this but with looking at it,its hard to tell :(

    99% of guitars are wood,hardware,electronics......it doesn't matter who made it,they almost all have that in common(i'm well aware of composite and acrylic bodies too :wink: ).Import guitars can always have the chance of being messed up in the process of mass production.Scale could be a hair off,nut might \"peak\" in the middle as opposed to the very edge,bridge placement may be wrong.......I have seen it all,by all companies........its the way it is. :wink: it isn't until you (or anyone) tries to push a mass produced guitar into handmade tolerance standards that we realize these problems and it takes one hell of a tech to hold it and give you not only the answer ,but be able to eliminate the issues.Sometimes we take things for granted that the simple stuff will be right but trust me when i say that i have seen stuff that would make your eyes roll out of your skull :roll: :wink::lol:
  • I TOTally agree. This particular line was made in Indonesia and while it's a decent git'r, I don't fool myself that it's some handmade Les Paul from the custom shop. :roll: There's a pretty strong chance that something at the top of the neck - nut size, shape, or both; and/or nut slot depth - probably wasn't quite right. My custom job is better, but what this git'r needs is a really expert hand to make a new nut and set it up like it oughtta be. Then it'd be a relly good ax, and I could sell my Jackson, instead of laying out for pups for THAT one too!!! :shock:
  • \shredd\ wrote:
    I TOTally agree. This particular line was made in Indonesia and while it's a decent git'r, I don't fool myself that it's some handmade Les Paul from the custom shop. :roll::

    i live in Nashville,the land of Gibbos :roll: i know quite a few ex and a few present employees and unless you know someone or are an endorsee....you get decent player but nothing spectacular.That theology seems to apply to most companies these days :roll: :wink: Your Ibanez will always have the capabilities of making you just as happy as a cs gibbo....but it might take a few things to make it that way.The day I made my sx flying v ($100 at a mom&pop store new :shock: ) play better than my Les Paul ........ :o ...........i got rid of the paul for a basket case guitar with a twisted neck.since then........i give everyone of my guitars the $200 package..................Quality pups and electronics,tusq nut,sealed tuners(mostly grovers),and i level/crown/dress/polish the frets.occasionally...i will replace a bridge but not that often.I have a charvel model 2 that i recieved with green frets :( stickers plastered on it and it had never been set up.It now has 1 mm action at the 24th fret and a jb model pup........it SCREAMS!!!!not my best player though :lol: anythings possible :wink:

    \shredd\ wrote:
    There's a pretty strong chance that something at the top of the neck - nut size, shape, or both; and/or nut slot depth - probably wasn't quite right. My custom job is better, but what this git'r needs is a really expert hand to make a new nut and set it up like it oughtta be. Then it'd be a relly good ax, and .......:

    of course 8) and anyone can learn this stuff if they put their mind to it.I like many guitars,plus i record and when i want a strat sound,or tele,gibbo,gretch,.......i better have something that can represent 8) but i'm not gonna buy all handmades because i don't play out,have no one to impress,and i can make do with something less but achieve the same end result.......it just works for me :lol:

    \shredd\ wrote:
    ......I could sell my Jackson, instead of laying out for pups for THAT one too!!! :shock:

    awe hell.......the more,the merrier i say :P :lol::wink:
  • \cyclonic\ wrote:
    awe hell.......the more,the merrier i say :P :lol::wink:
    Not me...I'm past my git'r collecting days. I don't play out either, I've got no one to impress either, and all I want is one tasty electric...I don't wanna be keeping fresh strings on a pile o' git'rs, and wondering which one needs which upgrade.
    Besides, I once owned 8 git'rs and Julia Roberts NEVER returned my phone calls. :? Heartless wench.
  • And there was much rejoicing...
    I found a well-reputed local luthier a mere 70 miles away! (that's \"nearby\" around here :roll: ). I'm gonna have him look at my poor 'binez and see if it can be straightened out...got my fingers crossed... 8)
  • definately...........\"fingers crossed\" :wink: 8)
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