Steve_Chapman
Joined: Jul 14, 2008
Posts: 11
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Posted on Jul 22 2008 01:25 PM
Hey,
For years, I've been frustrated by my Telecaster and Stratocaster's problems of intonation in the open G string. Is there a basic guide on the web somewhere on how to fix this? I can write music, play music, and record music, but that one string kills me. If it sounds fine open, then it's too high when I press the string on a fret.
I think the problem is that it's a thick string with no "wound" wire around it, like the lower-pitched strings below it. My E and B strings don't have that problem at all, maybe cause they're thin.
In the 80s, a friend of mine had a wound G string, like his D. No intonation problems on that ever.
Thanks,
Steve Chapman
www.stevesspringysurfdrums.com
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zak
Joined: Sep 24, 2007
Posts: 2728
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Posted on Jul 22 2008 01:55 PM
This post has been removed by the author.
Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 18:47:47
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SURFmole
Joined: Nov 22, 2007
Posts: 901
Portland, OR
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Posted on Jul 22 2008 02:30 PM
Steve_Chapman
For years, I've been frustrated by my Telecaster and Stratocaster's problems of intonation in the open G string. Is there a basic guide on the web somewhere on how to fix this?
Assuming they're set up correctly (the nut is cut deep enough) there's not much you can do other than try a different string gauge/brand (sometimes it can help), get compensated saddles for the Tele (like Glendale or Callaham), or get an Earvana nut. http://www.earvana.com/
It looks like Earvana will be releasing a version for Fender guitars that will work with the stock nut slot (require no mods) but look 'relatively' normal instead of their previous retrofit nut that looks like you should be playing a Floyd Rose trem. It might be worth waiting for that...:lol:
I have the Earvana nuts on two guitars and love them...given the choice I'd have them on all of my guitars because they make a huge improvement in intonation IMHO.
— www.apollo4.com
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eddiekatcher
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2773
Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Jul 22 2008 03:03 PM
Fender supposedly offers a string set for the Tele that greatly improves the intonation on the 3 saddle bridge assembly. I'm not sure which it is. I still prefer a wound 3rd and I have very little trouble bending it up for country style bends. I think the wound 3rd yields a more balanced fret board with the non compensated pickup magnets................ed
— Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps?
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Steve_Chapman
Joined: Jul 14, 2008
Posts: 11
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Posted on Jul 24 2008 09:52 AM
Thanks for the good ideas, everyone. (And yes, I know the subject of this thread is comical. I decided not to search Google for "G string" ... something tells me I wouldn't get guitar results.
Anyway, I'll try some of the methods here, and it's good to know there's a wound 3rd string out there. I'll probably try all these things.
Thanks!
Steve Chapman
www.stevesspringysurfdrums.com
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JeffLeites
Joined: Mar 27, 2006
Posts: 343
North Hollywood, California
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Posted on Aug 06 2008 09:48 PM
Don't know why you can't intonate the Strat, but if the 3 saddle Tele bridge is giving you problems, you can replace it with a 6 saddle bridge.
— My Web Site - Tunes - Pictures - Guitar Projects - Hard Rock Cafe Guitar Pins
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Abe
Joined: Mar 12, 2008
Posts: 1237
Bay Area
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Posted on Aug 06 2008 11:41 PM
I can't help u in any way. But the title to this topic is funny
— The Deadbeats
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Steve_Chapman
Joined: Jul 14, 2008
Posts: 11
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Posted on Aug 08 2008 05:55 PM
Ok, ok, I should have called it the "3rd string"!
Just bought some D'Addario lights and mediums with the wound 3rd from Musician's Friend. Someone posted on their website this, which was my problem exactly ...
This is a great set of strings. I've always hated the distinct difference in tone between the wound 4th and plain 3rd in most electric string sets. In fact, I'd been buying packs of only 22w strings (the smallest wounds I could find) and using those instead of the conventinal plain 3rd that came in the sets I had bought before I realized that they actually made non-ultra-heavy sets with wound 3rds. Then I discovered these. The super-thin 18w string is awesome. It sounds like a wound string as well as a plain string! Running up and down the scales, I can't even tell by sound where the wound strings end and the plain strings begin, which is exactly what I've been looking for. More importantly, the intonation of the wound 3rd is so much more accurate than that of the plain 3rd. No matter what style of music you play, you must try these!
Going to (G) string my Strat up tonight!
Thanks all!
Steve
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