'67 Casino Intonation

[DavyR]

The notes fretted in the 1st 4 frets were sharp as measured on a BOSS TU-15 tuner even though the intonation at the 12th was in on all 6 strings. It needed a re-fret. Last May, I had the 1st 7 frets replaced and had it setup. The new frets looked good, the action was good, and the notes fretted on the 1st 4 frets appears to be back in tune, i.e., not playing sharp. This lasted about a week, or so, then they went out again. The intonation is still in at the 12th fret yet the notes fretted on the 1st 4 frets are sharp. This is more notable on the top 3 strings, the E, B, and G. Therefore, open chords are not playable for open strings sound flat. The bridge saddles do look to be in odd positions, yet, the 12 fret intonation is in for all 6 strings. The nut may be a tad high. NONE of my other guitars intonate and play like this, and I'm NOT talking about the physics thing where ALL guitars are actually out of tune. Any ideas? Thx. Any idea how to upload a photo of the bridge saddles?

[Dave Abrahamson]

High nut slots will do that. Have you fretted or capoed at the 3rd fret and checked your string clearance at the 1st?
Should be BARELY perceptible

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by DavyR

The notes fretted in the 1st 4 frets were sharp as measured on a BOSS TU-15 tuner even though the intonation at the 12th was in on all 6 strings. It needed a re-fret. Last May, I had the 1st 7 frets replaced and had it setup. The new frets looked good, the action was good, and the notes fretted on the 1st 4 frets appears to be back in tune, i.e., not playing sharp. This lasted about a week, or so, then they went out again. The intonation is still in at the 12th fret yet the notes fretted on the 1st 4 frets are sharp. This is more notable on the top 3 strings, the E, B, and G. Therefore, open chords are not playable for open strings sound flat. The bridge saddles do look to be in odd positions, yet, the 12 fret intonation is in for all 6 strings. The nut may be a tad high. NONE of my other guitars intonate and play like this, and I'm NOT talking about the physics thing where ALL guitars are actually out of tune. Any ideas? Thx. Any idea how to upload a photo of the bridge saddles?

It sounds like the classic nut slot depth problem. You can often do diagnose this by slapping a capo on the first fret to see if your problem goes away.

[DavyR]

Originally Posted by Dave Abrahamson

High nut slots will do that. Have you fretted or capoed at the 3rd fret and checked your string clearance at the 1st?
Should be BARELY perceptible

Thanks, Dave! Fretting all strings at the 3rd fret leaves enough clearance to slip a piece of paper under each string over the 1st fret, and, each of the 6 strings appear to have the same amount of clearance. Fretting at the 2nd fret there is NO clearance on all strings over the 1st fret. So, I assume the nut slots are at the right height?

[DavyR]

Originally Posted by Rudy4

It sounds like the classic nut slot depth problem. You can often do diagnose this by slapping a capo on the first fret to see if your problem goes away.

Thanks, Rudy4! Barre chords at the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd frets sound in tune unto themselves, i.e., all the notes in the chords are more or less sharp. Hence, open strings of open string chords are flat. This is the problem.