I cannot get my strat to play in tune

[beandip]

Ive checked everything. there's no binding at the nut, and the string trees are good. I hardly use the trem, but lately not at all. It dosnt matter how much I try and tune it, cause the G string wont do it right. How am I supposed to play La Grange when my guitar sounds out of tune? How much are the Earvana nuts?

 

[JOLLY]

Have you intonated it recently? The weather is changing as well this time of year, and that could cause problems for some depending on where you live.

 

[beandip]

I forgot to mention that. the saddles are fine. Theyre Graphtechs, and do wonders for the guitar itself (almost overcome the fact that this guitar is plywood). I was thinking, maybe the action is a little too high at the nut, and im knocking it out of tune.

 

[59paul]

Sounds like ya better intonate it.

 

[beandip]

I just checked the intonation, its fine. I just got it about 3 weeks ago and intonated it when I got it. I replaced the nut with a "vintage bone" from stew-mac to go along w/ the creme body and tinted maple neck. so its good, as far as I know. The tuners were replaced w/ grovers. I just cant get the G string to play in tune from the 4th fret to the nut. other than that, its fine.

 

[beandip]

the frets are fine, although fairly tall. but my other guitars have taller frets and dont tune out like this. crowns are good, no big grooves, but little "marks" about the 8-12th frets. Its pretty out, you can def. tell somethings off, even if you dont have a good ear.

 

[beandip]

see, the thing is... Im usually the guy that folks take it in to look at it. But this just blows my mind. everything is fine but the G string. Ive tried different gauges, wound and unwound. Nothing works. I was thinking, maybe its just one of those guitars that are completely thrown off. So I was thinking about getting the Earvana nut, but Im not sure how much they run for.

 

[MattPete]

.... I replaced the nut with a "vintage bone" from stew-mac to go along w/ the creme body.... I just cant get the G string to play in tune from the 4th fret to the nut....

Sounds like the nut is too high at the G string. If it's just the G string that's really bad, try cutting the nut slot down as much you can without getting fret buzz. An old D string will work as a makeshift file.

 

[Robert S.]

Does the guitar run sharp, or flat as you go up the neck towards the 12th fret? While some frets are always mathematically a little sharp or flat, you will probably notice a trend.

I can't imagine a sitiation where the open string and the same string at the 12th fret are properly intonated but the interior frets are out, and only on one string.

I'de have to guess that dispite your assurtions, the saddle on the G string needs to be calibrated. If you don't have a very accurate and stable tuner, you need to get one. Setting up a bridge with a lesser tuner is a nightmare at best.

 

[Zerberus]

My ideas:

A. The nut slot is off-line/ "not straight" (Unlikely, as pre slotted Stew Mac nut)
B. The nut slot isn´t deep enough (IMO the probable cause )
C: a minute burr on the top of the graphtech saddle (happens over time)
D: It´s a Strat with staggered pickups?. Possibly Stratitis, Lower the pickups a bit. Although that usually gets worse as you play up the neck..
E. You 150% sure about the intonation?

It could also be time for a fret dress, but I think you´d be able to scope that out yourself, that would usually affect more than 1 string. But it IS possible that the affected frets were crowned "off center", particularly on cheaper axes. Shouldn´t be that bad, though.

 

[TheArchitect]

That's kinda odd.I don't think nut height would do that,in that area.Even though the guitar is fairly new check the frets,are they fully crowned?And how out is it?

The nut height could absolutely do that, especially in the 1st few frets. I would double check the nut work.

 

[Bludave]

Its possible that when you replaced the nut it did not "seat "properly. Did you clean the groove? If so did you remove a lot of material? If yes the nut height may be to low or high at the one string causing it to go out! If all that checks out to be ok I would recommend to take it in aswell. It is possible the the neck has a twist in it!

 

[beandip]

hey guys, I got it all figured out. The nut slot was a little too high (about 1/16th). Filed it down, now its good to go. Thanks for the help.