B Flat is Flat ? Can U help

BassMan99 · #1 03-08-2009, 09:18 PM

on my 2001 MIM Jazz bought used. The first fret on the A string is flat. The next fret seems fine. The overall intonation is good. I know how to set the intonation and it is in tune. Its just the Bb on the A. Any ideas what would cause this? Is it repairable?
Thanks!

therex · #2 03-08-2009, 10:19 PM

nut could be too high

GeoffByrne · #3 03-09-2009, 01:59 PM

Try lowering your pickups a little.

elgecko · #4 03-09-2009, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffByrne

Try lowering your pickups a little.

How does pickup height affect pitch?

Widdershins · #5 03-09-2009, 02:25 PM

The rest of the strings are fine in the 1st fret? You're using a fresh set of strings? You've set your intonation at the bridge?

If you've answered yes to all of these, have a look at the 1st fret under the A string for fret wear and compare it to the rest of the same fret.
If it looks different, you might be a candidate for a fret level/re-crown.

My trusty P-Bass is in need of one at the moment... it's seen 12 years of hard playing & being my only instrument for 10 of those 12, its intonation is getting harder to maintain as time goes on.

MooseLumps · #6 03-09-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffByrne

Try lowering your pickups a little.

What?

BassMan99 · #7 03-09-2009, 03:54 PM

yes the first fret on the E, D and G are OK. I set the intonation at the bridge using my tuner. All OK. I thought a nut cut too high makes a note sharp? I am comparing the Bb at first fret on A string to the Bb on the E string. But when I compare the B on A string 2nd fret to the B on E string its OK as well.

Widdershins · #8 03-09-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassMan99

yes the first fret on the E, D and G are OK. I set the intonation at the bridge using my tuner. All OK. I thought a nut cut too high makes a note sharp? I am comparing the Bb at first fret on A string to the Bb on the E string. But when I compare the B on A string 2nd fret to the B on E string its OK as well.

Yeah, a nut cut too high will make it a bit sharp when played close to the nut. Also, one would expect the pitch to go slightly sharp as you move closer to the nut from your "in tune" 12th fret. You probably wouldn't notice that by ear, but that point is mute as that's not happening in your case.

Another fret question: how flat are the frets toward the nut (say, the first 4 or 5)? Do they have a nice round top to them compared to the frets farther down the neck?

Even more silly questions:
Are you 'comparing' by tuner or ear? How precise are you attempting to get this? How flat are we talkin'?

I know that's a lot of question without any answers to your problem, just trying to get a clearer picture of what's going on and maybe fill in some gaps so we might be able to help you better.

BassMan99 · #9 03-09-2009, 07:42 PM

I am going by ear very mild fret wear they are not crowned perfect but similarly worn. How flat? Noticeable by ear. I can bend he string a bit to get it in tune. 5 cents maybe not super noticeable I guess but now that I am aware of it its bugging me!

**Mark Wilson** · #10 03-09-2009, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffByrne

Try lowering your pickups a little.

lmao I need to hear the rationalization for this one.

Blues Cat · #11 03-12-2009, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

lmao I need to hear the rationalization for this one.

I think he may have it backwards. If the note's sharp the magnets can pull on the string and make it sharp.

walterw · #12 03-12-2009, 08:18 PM

i would suspect a bad string. are those DR strings?