New bass is terribly sharp on the 1st fret, the 12th is intonated?

[mr_goodbomb]

I got a new bass and went to record with it. The first fret was very sharp, like 20 cent. The 3rd fret was pretty well intonated... and then 12th was just fine, to the point that one song that has hammer-ons between the open string and the 12th fret didn't sound as if it had any issues.

I wound up tuning down and capoing to obtain the same effect for recording, but don't want to continue doing that.

Any ideas as to what's up where?

[PrivateHigh]

Nut is not cut right or your relief is out of wack. Get it set up by a professional.

[Craig_S]

Sounds like the string height at the nut is extremely high, to me. Take it to a tech to get it checked out.

[walterw]

Originally Posted by mr_goodbomb

I wound up tuning down and capoing to obtain the same effect for recording, but don't want to continue doing that.

was it way easier to play with the capo on?

if so, then this:

Originally Posted by Craig_S

Sounds like the string height at the nut is extremely high, to me. Take it to a tech to get it checked out.

[JLS]

Originally Posted by walterw

was it way easier to play with the capo on?

if so, then this:

I agree.

[mr_goodbomb]

Wasn't really any more difficult to play either way. But the nut does look a little... well, it looks like it could be cut deeper.

[Caca de Kick]

I just about always find the nut on new basses to be cut too high. I can't think of one single new bass I got in the last 10yrs where I didn't have to slot lower.