Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: 1st fret problem

  1. #1
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Posts
    24

    1st fret problem

    hi,i struggle with the f chord with the index finger,both e strings[especially the high]on my tele.I have 4 other guitars-sg,330,sheraton,12 fret no name, that are a breeze to play. I asked my friend who sets lots of guitars up etc and he said to just play the bloody thing haha,now,i can totally see/respect his opinion but its doin my head in[the tele,not him], i try more pressure,less pressure,roll index,thumb adjust,wrist angle,tight against fret,in the middle-5/10 the e string dont play right,back to other guitars-piss easy f! Gotta be the nut or something right?

  2. #2
    Forum Member chuckocaster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    spanish for lard.
    Posts
    8,605

    Re: 1st fret problem

    You said frets 5-10 the E string is sitting on the fret? Then you need more relief. Try setting up your Tele to Fender specs, and see if that helps

    Also, is the fretboard 7.25 or 9.5" radius on the Tele? You didn't specify, but you're comparing it to Gibson 12" fretboards. Seems like you're used to those.
    "don't worry, i'm a professional!"

  3. #3
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Posts
    24

    Re: 1st fret problem

    Hi,the radius is 7.25" c shape, the strings if anything are too high on first fret,like i have to press down too hard or something,just on fret 1-the rest of the guitar plays easy,cheers

  4. #4
    Forum Member chuckocaster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    spanish for lard.
    Posts
    8,605

    Re: 1st fret problem

    Well, from reading your first post, it sounds like you need to setup the guitar. From what you've said, the strings are too high at the first fret, and low in the middle of the neck? No mention of up higher.

    Again, I'd recommend you setup your guitar to Fender specs. If anything, the 7.25" radius neck should be EASIER to play chords on than your other guitars. Leo went with that radius as it's the natural curve of our fingers.

    Try this experiment: Relax. Put your arms down with your hands by your side. Relax some more. Freeze your hands as they naturally hang. Freeze your hands as they are. Now examine what your hands look like. Your fingers naturally curve in a rested state, and it's close to 7.25" radius
    "don't worry, i'm a professional!"

  5. #5
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Posts
    24

    Re: 1st fret problem

    just re-read my first post,it's a bit hard to follow in bits-guess i was in a rush,when i said in the middle,i meant in the middle of 1st fret as oppesed to tight up to saddle,just giving e.g.s of what i've tried[wrist adjust,thumb posistion]etc,the 5/10 meant 5 times outta 10[not frets 5-10],sorry for the confusion and ta for ya reply mate

  6. #6
    Forum Member chuckocaster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    spanish for lard.
    Posts
    8,605

    Re: 1st fret problem

    No worries buddy. Still, sounds like a setup issue. It shouldn't be THAT hard to play, or so different from your other guitars that you're spending this much time and effort playing it
    "don't worry, i'm a professional!"

  7. #7
    Forum Member Offshore Angler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    New York Finger Lakes Area
    Posts
    8,462

    Re: 1st fret problem

    What happens when you move the F chord up to the 3rd fret? Do you still have the same problem?
    "No harmonic knowledge, no sense of time, a ghastly tone, unskilled vibrato, and so on. Chuck is one of the worst guitar players I know" -Gravity Jim

  8. #8
    Forum Member DanTheBluesMan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Southern NH
    Posts
    4,717

    Re: 1st fret problem

    sounds like the nut needs to be reslotted, which is part of a good setup. I can do truss rod adjustments, saddle adjustments, shim the neck when the saddle adjustment won't do the trick (obviously on bolt neck guitars, not set necks or acoustics). I can radius the saddles as well to match the fingerboard. Filing the nut ... don't have the files and don't do it enough to justify buying them. That's pretty much a one time deal until you've leveled and crowned your frets a time or three. Which I've never had done to a guitar since I've never owned one long enough to need a fret job. If I were going to be doing set ups on new builds or taking in repairs for paying customers then I would spend the money on the files.

    There are some neck makers who won't even put a nut on for you because they insist it should be done when the guitar is built and set up for the first time. Or they will install the nut unslotted. That's how important they consider the setup to be.

  9. #9
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Posts
    24

    Re: 1st fret problem

    Quote Originally Posted by Offshore Angler View Post
    What happens when you move the F chord up to the 3rd fret? Do you still have the same problem?
    no,easy as anything,just the f,cheers

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •