Having an intonation issue

[raygun85]

Beat's me. The only point that should affect intonation is the zero-fret.

[panther]

Unless of course the string guide is not cut deep enough and the strings are actually above the zero fret. Like Oipunkguy Aaron suggested. I think this is the oops that happened. They were Not fully understanding the zero fret. probably used a standard nut.
Dan

[panther]

Another thing that's kind of interesting, if you take a close look at the zero fret, it really only effects open strings. Once you make a chord, or fret a string, the strings that make up the chord are not really effected by the zero fret, only the open strings, which to me give a slight metallic sound. Which I love. Plus you've virtually eliminated nut problems, and in my opinion debunks the critical nature of the shape of the bottom of the nut grooves, on a natural nut, and the side to side movement if according to popular belief, the nut groove is to wide. The zero fret pretty much proves, in my mind that both of the former thoughts are not really completely correct, as the zero fret it basically flat, and the stings are not held to as strict a side to side position, as I though a nut was suppose to accomplish.
One more benefit of the zero fret, in my experience, and we've discussed this elsewhere on the forum, if any string is going to give you tuning problems, or sound flat or dead, best bet is the 'G' string, I've found zero frets eliminate the 'G' string problems.
Dan

[olrocknroller]

Could you elaborate on the String guide, How does that effect intonation.
Dan

The first string-guide I built acted like a second nut, lifting the g and b off of the zero-fret Some more work with a file to deepen the slots solved the problem...

[panther]

That was a guess at the possible cause. Glad you got it worked out. I Love Zero frets, I don't know why, maybe because they are simple, they eliminate common problems, they work, and sound cool. Well maybe that's enough reasons.
Dan

[olrocknroller]

That was a guess at the possible cause. Glad you got it worked out. I Love Zero frets, I don't know why, maybe because they are simple, they eliminate common problems, they work, and sound cool. Well maybe that's enough reasons.
Dan

They are indeed an improvement over conventional nut material, but I have recently been attracted to the sound I get from building a brass zero nut and string guide from one piece of brass... This replaces a conventional nut, and the extra mass seems to do good things for the sound. Some people report tuning issues with brass nuts, but being a light tremolo user, I haven't had problems...yet.

[panther]

I'm not familiar with the first use of the zero fret, but I personally feel it eliminates many common nut related problems, and gives any guitar a nicer fuller sound. I also used a brass fret for my zero fret, on one guitar I converted, and the Mosrite I built myself. Totally happy with both.
Dan

[mikethemod1992]

got it figured out guys, the string guide was just too high. Thanks for the help!