Last time I ask this question (layering question)

[Stoneroses6300]

I've asked this twice before. This is the final time I'm looking for opinions on this...As I'm layering over electric guitar over these mixes I'm doing, all the full chords, ringed out chords that consist of 3 or more notes in the chord never sound in tune. But playing single note parts, appregiating parts are always fine. Full chords and sustained notes tend to sound out so easily though. I'm wondering if it's the room that causing the resonant/ringed out chords to sound out. Any opinions, let me know. After this I'm going to bring someone in the check out the room that I have my fender twin in where I record electric. Thanks for taking the time...

[baikonour]

Originally Posted by Stoneroses6300

I've asked this twice before. This is the final time I'm looking for opinions on this...As I'm layering over electric guitar over these mixes I'm doing, all the full chords, ringed out chords that consist of 3 or more notes in the chord never sound in tune. But playing single note parts, appregiating parts are always fine. Full chords and sustained notes tend to sound out so easily though. I'm wondering if it's the room that causing the resonant/ringed out chords to sound out. Any opinions, let me know. After this I'm going to bring someone in the check out the room that I have my fender twin in where I record electric. Thanks for taking the time...

one or more strings are slightly bent when you are playing a chord (finger positions and or really light gauge)?

thin guitar neck which can be slightly bent easily when playing a full chord? (ala rickenbacker, mosrite etc...)

Intonation problem?

i don't think it can be due to standing waves in your room but you can try to record you guitar with a pod or a di and see if you have the same problem...

hope this helps

[lowfreq33]

Have the intonation checked on the guitar. More than likely the individual notes are close enough that they don't conflict with the other instruments in the track, but when you play a chord and each note is just slightly out of tune from the others in varying amounts it gets pretty obvious. I doubt your room has anything to do with it.
Try this. Plug into a tuner. Play the 12th fret on each string and get that note perfectly in tune. Then play the open harmonic at the 12th fret and see if that 's in tune also. If it's not, then you have an intonation problem and you should take it in to have a setup. Don't take it to Guitar Center or the equivalent. Take it to a small shop that does repairs and luthiery.

[Stoneroses6300]

The intonation is perfect. 12fret and 12 harmonic are dead on. I had up setup recently. I don't understand how it could be standing waves either becuase the 2 mics I use on the amp are pretty close to the amp and there is no room mic...

[rob S]

are you pulling it out with your hand?
was the intonation checked with a strobe?
they are much more revealing then a regular tuner.

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by Stoneroses6300

The intonation is perfect. 12fret and 12 harmonic are dead on. I had up setup recently. I don't understand how it could be standing waves either becuase the 2 mics I use on the amp are pretty close to the amp and there is no room mic...

The problem is easy and one that people have had to deal with for years.

Just because the guitar is perfectly intonated at the 12t fret does not mean the guitar is intontated perfectly along it's whole neck.

This is a very standard problem with Les Pauls (for instance). The G string is funky down around the 1 - 5 frets.... out at the first fret slightly more in at the 2 - 4 th and then on at the 5th. This is where you are playing allot of your chords that you would notice funky tunings on.

The old solution was to slightly under tune the G and bend the string accordingly while playing. Not to handy if you are using the open G string. Another solution was to just tune the guitar to each chord and punch in the proper tuning on the track cord by cord, PITA.

The new and best solution is to go get a Buzz Feiten Nut installed. I have them on all my guitars and they make a VERY big difference especially when double tracking. The chords are more clear sounding and the guitar tracks do come out sounding better because there is less rubbing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Like $139 or something and worth every penny. The effect is not subtle, well worth it. I have one on my 72 Gold Top, my 72 Strat, my new Yamaha hollow body, and I am about to get one for my new SG and my 76 Jazz bass.... I am sold and I am not trying to sell you snake oil, I really think this is the root of your problem.

Good luck.

[Joe Porto]

If the pickups are passive, try lowering them. The magnetic pull from the pickups can pull a string out of tune.

[slaves666]

I put an earvana nut on my main tracking guitar, Gibson SG special with Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge.......It helps tons....the guitar is in tune on every note along the whole neck....a must buy.