littleb - Posted - 12/19/2009:  04:49:55

I have a problem with getting the right notes. After the 3rd or 4th fret the right notes aren't exactly above the fret and this is even worse as I go up the neck. I tried to rotate the spider a bit but it doesn't help.
I have an action of 0,35" at the nut and about 0,55" at the 12th fret. I know it is a bit low at the nut, could this be the cause of the problem ? I thought I'd shorten the saddle but i was afraid that there would be no angle and that the strings would buzz. What should I do ?

badger - Posted - 12/19/2009:  06:42:54

How far off is it at the twelfth fret? When you chime the harmonic at the 12th fret, what's the difference between the fret and the spot where the harmonic sounds the strongest?

Or measure your overall scale length, nut to saddle, then measure nut to 12th fret. Should be half of the scale (most often 25").

The low action isn't the problem. Keep in mind that your eye's relationship to the bar and fret underneath changes as you go up the fretboard. When I'm at the second fret, to my eye, I'm playing somewhat flat, at the 10th, I'd be somewhat sharp (with both notes dead-on, according to the tuner). The change in string height is adding to the issue, as your bar is becoming farther away from the fretboard as you go up the neck.

I talked with Paul Beard at length after buying a Gold Tone that has action similar to yours. He recommended against cutting the saddles down, preferring the strings high off the coverplate.

Mostly, it's just a matter of getting used to hearing the correct pitch and learning to make the adjustments to make it sound right.

littleb - Posted - 12/21/2009:  02:15:36

thanks for the tips.
I just noticed that the spider isn't perfectly centered. It's off by just over 1 mm. It may be a silly question, but could this have to do with my problem ?