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Zero fret question(s)
- Thread starter MasonMinor
- Start date
Check the setup stickies- the Jersey Drozd guide can show you how to tune and intonate it-
better you know how to do it yourself when needed, that rely on GC or someone.
better you know how to do it yourself when needed, that rely on GC or someone.
Well, I've already set it up, but it does still need the zero fret. The nut is like really cheap and isn't filed correctly, and it's just really bad. It's a great bass, just the intonation isn't very good.
DON'T take it to Guitar Center. Take it to someone that knows what they are doing.
I haven't seen your bass in person, but I'd wager the problems it has can be corrected at the nut. Poorly filed slots, or an incorrectly installed nut can lead to intonation problems. I'd look there first. I concur with line6man -- take it to someone who knows what they're doing.
This thread should probably be over in the Hardware, Setup, and Repair forum, by the way.
This thread should probably be over in the Hardware, Setup, and Repair forum, by the way.
Bad intonation is adjusted at the bridge , not the nut. While there may be problems with the nut , changing it will not do anything to help intonation. If the high notes are sharp , the bridge saddles need to be moved away from the pick ups. If the higher notes are flat , the bridge saddles need to be moved toward the pick ups. There is a very good tutorial in the hardware set up and repair section of this forum.
A bad nut can cause a couple of problems. If it is cut too low , the strings will buzz. If it is cut too high , the action will be bad.Also , if the action is too high it will tend to cause fretted notes to be a bit sharp but this will be more pronounced at the lower frets than the higher ones. This problem can be resolved simply by cutting the nut slots down to where they belong. If you have either of these problems , have the nut replaced or properly cut. If the guitar did not originally come with a zero fret , it will be nearly impossible to install one and again , if your problem is intonation , installing a zero fret will not solve it.
Edit: I suspect that this thread will be moved to the hardware and set up section when one of the mods wakes up. Be prepared.
A bad nut can cause a couple of problems. If it is cut too low , the strings will buzz. If it is cut too high , the action will be bad.Also , if the action is too high it will tend to cause fretted notes to be a bit sharp but this will be more pronounced at the lower frets than the higher ones. This problem can be resolved simply by cutting the nut slots down to where they belong. If you have either of these problems , have the nut replaced or properly cut. If the guitar did not originally come with a zero fret , it will be nearly impossible to install one and again , if your problem is intonation , installing a zero fret will not solve it.
Edit: I suspect that this thread will be moved to the hardware and set up section when one of the mods wakes up. Be prepared.
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Yep, looking at the picture, it appears all of the bridge saddles are lined up neatly in a row...which makes it likely that intonation has never been set. Setting your intonation is one of the very basic skills that only takes a few minutes to learn. I believe there's a Sticky, if not then Google "Setting your guitar's intonation"
Nut setup isn't hard either, but it takes the proper files and a little bit of patience. Take it to a competent tech...NOT GC.
Nut setup isn't hard either, but it takes the proper files and a little bit of patience. Take it to a competent tech...NOT GC.
Don't know why you think so. Read up on the zero fret. IIRC SGs (Gibson or Epiphone) don't have a zero fret. Well, none that I've ever seen do. Zero frets on Gretsch? Yes, certainly the guitars and some basses; other basses from other brands, too.
Check out this PG Article, some more info here.
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[Edit: I see others have given you some intonation tips while I was surfing for zero-fret pron]
[EDIT:] Almost forgot the SG-like Jedson...
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Zero fret is the last thing you need. You need a full set-up including a nut tweak. A poorly-cut nut (...and I see this a lot) may "stiffen" action at the first fret and draw sharp. Of course, you'll need to address relief, string height, and intonation. This has the potential for being a great-playing bass with just a little TLC.
Riis
The nut IS your zero fret. That is where the fret would have to be installed. But, that would be a major undertaking as you would have to fill the nut's slot, then cut it for a fret. Then you would need to cut another nut slot closer to the tuners (or some other scheme to hold the strings in position) How high is the action at the first fret? If it's way high, that could cause some minor intonation issues in that area. I'll stop now and just reitterate what everyone else has said - take it to a qualified luthier to have the nut addressed.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I own a zero fret guitar and I used to own a zero fret bass (Hofner) I like zero fret musical instruments. That being said ... Perhaps the best fix for your bass is to fix the nut. Many basses have the nut cut too high. You can cut the grooves deeper or sand down the bottom of the nut.
To reiterate the above, if the strings are generally out of tune above the 12th fret, then adjusting bridge intonation is in order. If the 5th through 12th frets are sharp, then the neck relief and general action height needs adjusting. If the strings are sharp on the 2nd and 3rd frets, then the nut slots need to be checked for proper height, back taper, and a good witness point. If after proper adjustment of the nut the 2nd and 3rd frets are still sharp, then some nut compensation may be necessary, as per Stephen Delft. I had to do that on my custom P/J half-fanned bass.
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/a-different-custom-p-style-bass.755914/
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/a-different-custom-p-style-bass.755914/
Zero frets MUST be designed into an instrument. You cannot add one to an instrument that is not designed for it; you would NEVER be able to intonate after such folly.
