Sharp notes after 2nd Fret

[veitski]

Ok... so this problem has been going on since i had this taken to a luthier to do some work (new bridge, tuners, and some wiring work that i did that i now needed the guitar set up correctly). This guy was the "strat" guy. He did a set up and adjust neck and fixed my bone nut. but I CANNOT use a capo at all pulls everything super sharp and if i play naturally without a capo its still sharp. G chord is 10-25 cents sharp. SOOO....i did my own intonation and it was perfectly in tune. except the 2nd fret and more play sharp. its insane. i feel insane.

Took it to another tech who found more issues. Neck was not properly done. needed new frets. so he did the work. plays better. but still playing sharp and still cannot use a capo at all. recording i can hear the random notes playing sharp and its very aggravating. i still feel insane.

What is wrong with my guitar!?

If this guitar wasn't super special to me, i would have threw it in the trash already. PLEASE HELP ME!

it is a 1999 fender strat MIM.

 

[nickmsmith]

The average Capo does not do well on electrics due to pressure from the capo, and the thin strings on the guitar. Sometimes the radius also gives issues.

Wear that capo out until it’s looser, or find an adjustable one, and it should work unless you have other issues going on.
I play with capo all the time, but my Kyser type has a lot of the pressure taken off over years.

a regular strong capo on a Strat with 9s is going to pull sharp most of the time. I know the struggle. The capo is usually the problem/answer. It’s like pressing down super hard, gonna pull it sharp

also, if you put 12s on it, it may get better. But I’m not going to do that.

 

[Bob the builder]

I usually just re-tune when I put a capo on.
Electric or acoustic.

 

[StratUp]

Taller frets, if you have them, will pull sharper. You can put the capo right on the fret and it should help a lot but it can inhibit play too.

I've never tried, but I suppose you could put something just smidge shorter than the fret height behind the fret, under the strings, and clamp on that. As long as it's right behind the fret, the fret should still become your "nut". Pain in the butt to set up though.

Tell us more about the "plays sharp even without a capo". If you tune to a perfect setting open, then fret at 1, 2, 3 with the guitar flat on your lap, just pressing enough with your index finger to get a good sound... how many cents are they off?

 

[El Gobernador]

Nut is cut poorly.

 

[The_Whale]

Low post count guy with a phantom problem is a theme here...

 

[CB91710]

Low post count guy with a phantom problem is a theme here...

Not just here.

Toyotanation gets probably 20+ per day.
OP never comes back.

Pretty sure it's AI bots learning how to converse with humans.






Pretty sure it's AI bots learning how to conquer humans.

 

[The_Whale]

Not just here.

Toyotanation gets probably 20+ per day.
OP never comes back.

Pretty sure it's AI bots learning how to converse with humans.






Pretty sure it's AI bots learning how to conquer humans.

The overly-elaborate post for a simple question is a tell....

 

[Bob the builder]

Low post count guy with a phantom problem is a theme here...

Most new guys found this place on the web cuz they had a question bowt something.
Figure.. might as well try to help em out.

 

[CB91710]

Most new guys found this place on the web cuz they had a question bowt something.
Figure.. might as well try to help em out.

We do.

But we're not disappointed if they don't come back.

 

[veitski]

without the capo-

on the low E string.
3rd fret G 10-15 cents sharp

is my ear too sensitive to the note?

 

[veitski]

im trying to figure out how to put up an audio file

 

[El Gobernador]

Your nut slots aren't cut properly. They're not deep enough.

 

[dirocyn]

Needs setup. Probably the intonation is set wrong.

Set relief, set action, set intonation.

 

[El Gobernador]

If your low E played at the third fret is sharp, your nut slot is too high. Period.

 

[veitski]

 

[El Gobernador]

Yes, something's off.

The distance between the top of the first fret and the string is where to look. A business card should clear it between the string and fret, but just barely.

A high nut causes sharp notes in the first five frets.

 

[veitski]

Needs setup. Probably the intonation is set wrong.

Set relief, set action, set intonation.

It’s been set up technically by three guitar builders. The nut was cut by a “pro” supposedly.

 

[veitski]

Yes, something's off.

The distance between the top of the first fret and the string is where to look. A business card should clear it between the string and fret, but just barely.

A high nut causes sharp notes in the first five frets.

I’ll check this tomorrow

 

[El Gobernador]

It’s been set up technically by three guitar builders. The nut was cut by a “pro” supposedly.

Then they don't know what they're doing. It's guitar 101. Introductory stuff.