Intonation issue / NGD

thomasross20 · December 2022

Steamed - but can get that effect with soldering iron and wet rag. Hmmm... I could always try on my OM02 which has a few dings.

Soupman · December 2022

@thomasross20 what have you got to lose? It's damaged anyway, just go carefully.

thomasross20 · December 2022

Might just leave it. Will see.

So... Intonation on this Larrivee is much better than the previous one. It's a good sounding guitar. Each guitar really is it's own beast as despite being practically the same model as the OM02 except for different bracing, it feels, sounds and plays different.

The only niggle I now have is that when I play the low E, 1st fret.. it rattles a touch. Only that fret. Maybe it needs strings being put back to 12s.

Flamenco technique where thumb pushes down into strings (not what I'm doing above btw) is better on higher action guitars as the string is pushed down hard with that technique with greater chance of rattle.

I tried quarter turn right truss rod as bass 12th fret was 2.75mm and I like 2.5mm. After 5 mins I re-measured and it seemed to be back to 2.75mm.. I have left alone for now.

--> acoustics really are another world... Way more work than electrics imo. But more joyous once right. Saying that, it was a joy to play my Suhr again the other day ..

I think I'd be scared to own an acoustic more than £3k lol

The shop were ok with return of the parlour but I've had to arrange courier (parcel force) and insurance (secursus) myself.

There have been 5-6 break-ins recently which is making me re-assess getting my instrument insurance back.....

I am exhausted lol

Mellish · December 2022

@thomasross20 ;
If you really like the guitar, maybe let a good tech have a go at the dent?

Sure, if you've got a bit of brave in you, a bit of daring, you can give it a go. Totally up to you, but if you like the guitar, you don't want to make the damage worse.

thomasross20 · December 2022

Yeah will maybe do that. Part of me resents it on a new guitar, though. If/when I do I can get him to check out the 1st fret thing mentioned above

thomasross20 · December 2022

Do you guys think if I go from 11s to 12s it will reduce string buzz? I just tuned the low E ton an F# to emulate higher tension and that did seem to help a bit ..

Edit: Larrivee say factory setup is for 12/13s so I will try that..! They said for 11s I'd need truss rod tweak and nut adjustment though I don't see how nut comes into it for fretted notes.

I think higher gauge string is lower vibration arc for same volume output so less chance of rattling. I didn't actually try stringing the OM05 I returned with 12s.. maybe if I had done, the intonation also would have improved.

Mellish · December 2022

12s will create more tension, so you could try that.

Also, check for anything slightly loose up at the headstock,causing a rattle when the G and high E are played.

thomasross20 · December 2022

Tried 12s. Helped but not that much.
I actually think I might need luthier to do fretwork (on new guitar !) as can't live with a clangy F. I am mega frustrated.

Mellish · December 2022

I'd say put it in its case. If you try to fix it when frustrated, you're likely to do more harm than good.

Take it to a good tech or luthier.

thomasross20 · December 2022

Yep. I know you can also get strings whose bass is heavier, custom sets. But yeah... Very annoying for a brand new guitar.

Larrivee say for lighter string gauge, drop the nut height but I don't see how that affects things when I'm fretting the first fret. To me, it feels like fretwork needs done.

Have to say, never had these issues with the Canadian factory guitars

Mellish · December 2022

New guitar, you want to play it with no issues. I get it, but if you're not confident in what you're doing, then put it in its case.

Up to now, I'm pretty sure a good tech can easily fix it, and I think it's best for you if you keep it that way unchanged until a tech gets it.

thomasross20 · December 2022

What I don't get is.. Larrivee say for lighter gauge strings I need to lower string height by lowering the nut. I thought it would have been the opposite advice.

Because when 1st fret is played, who cares about the nut... It's rattling at 2nd fret. So... Fret dress or saddle raise , surely...? Might take to luthier. This has soured my view on Larrivee somewhat tbh!!

Mellish · December 2022

What is the action at 12th fret?

Get the guitar in playing position and measure the distance between fret and 6th string (no capo, no fretting).

thomasross20 · December 2022

Just over 2.5mm which is fine for me. I'm thinking maybe a shim under the saddle to raise that will increase the angle of the strings and reduce buzz...

Mellish · December 2022

This buzzing - present when you bought it? I assume you're first owner?

I don't think saddle height is the cause. My money would be on G and E nut slots cut too deep, in which case nut replacement or bone dust and superglue and cut new slots.

thomasross20 · December 2022

Yes that's correct.
Larrivee say to get new nut or see tech. Not great service imo

I don't understand.. if note is fretted then the nut is taken out of the equation surely.

I hate this tbh, on new guitar too. Might just take to luthier and pay whatever in order to get it right.

Mellish · December 2022

It's clearly bothering you (understandably) so get it to a pro, then it's fixed and you can enjoy playing it.

thomasross20 · December 2022

100%, this will be the plan and hopefully not too expensive

--> Just tried putting a shim under the saddle with a bit of string cardboard packaging lol... it raised the action ... helped a LITTLE re the buzz but not enough. I am convinced now that this is a FRETS issue. Luthier call on Monday.

thomasross20 · December 2022

Guys, do you think I'm better sending this back to Peach to get them to deal with it under warranty or just pay for a luthier I know to do it?

GTC · December 2022

If you know a good local luthier who you trust, I suggest informing Peach of the problem and suggest it would probably be easier for all getting your local person to sort out. They may even offer to pay.

Being at a single lower fret, it is unlikely to be the saddle height or the nut. Most likely either a rogue high fret or, more likely, a fret that has slightly sprung from its fretboard slot. Both should be easy and cheap for a tech or luthier to fix.

thomasross20 · December 2022

Yes that's exactly what I'm hoping for tbh because I'd also want the luthier to slightly lower the nut at the same time for playability so if peach put something toward it that'd be best all round...

Mellish · December 2022

Not sure....i think I'd return it to Peach, with a letter explaining why. That's where it came from and I'd give them the opportunity to fix it (they're supposed to be good in the workshop).

Local tech/luthier could work out cheaper cos no shipping.

ToneControl · December 2022

sorry to not see the thread sooner

Have you tried using a capo at the first fret, then retuning
I think this would test whether the nut is cut properly

thomasross20 · December 2022

Retune to what?
I don't understand how the nut could be issue because when I fret the 1st fret, the nut is out of the equation?

BTW I contacted Peach who will get back to me at some point.. and there's always the luthier, too.

ToneControl · December 2022

thomasross20 said:

Retune to what?
I don't understand how the nut could be issue because when I fret the 1st fret, the nut is out of the equation?

BTW I contacted Peach who will get back to me at some point.. and there's always the luthier, too.

sorry, hadn't read all the posts - above would have been a test to see if the intonation issue was caused by the nut

with this latest guitar - can you see the end of the fret sticking up at all?
when you look along the neck can you see it raised?

I had one fret on a Harley Benton that buzzed a bit (11th) on the bottom E, I put some wood on top of the fret, and tapped it a few times with a light hammer - problem solved.

But. if you just bought it, a raised fret is a manufacturing defect, the shop should fix that

thomasross20 · December 2022

Yes, I think they should del with this under warranty (I just said as much in email just now)
It's clear to me that the 2nd fret slightly rattles off the 3rd fret when I play it.
And the first fret rattles off the 2nd when I play the 1st.

Thing is, would need to shave the 2nd down. Which means need to shave the 3rd down. And so on... A pain of a job.
I guess this is why they have a plek machine at Peach but I thought Larrivee would be fine.

They suggested I loosen the truss rod but I mentioned this is not fixing the issue and only increasing the action.
I tried a shim under the saddle. Helped a little but not massively.
It has to be a fret issue and unfortunately that means either:
- I pay my luthier to get it done (£££)
- Peach/Larrivee have to accept the return and do it but I think this is a pain for them and I have to ship back.

I can sense a reluctance to address this but I agree, manufacturing defect.
I have dinged the guitar now, as well, r it could have been a return.

Choivert · December 2022

Perhaps this has been said but have you checked the humidity and temperature in your guitar room? Perhaps there is a chance things are being thrown off by the environment they are in. I think this is unlikely but worth checking.

thomasross20 · December 2022

Good call but have got 3 hygrometers, 47RH right now which is slightly low but my other acoustic is fine with exactly the same setup. Also, it's largely the one fret.. if wider humidity issue I'd have expected it to have affected others.

Part of me just wants luthier to do it but it's almost the principle of it. These acoustic issues .. I now find myself wanting to play electric a bit more again

idiotwindow · December 2022

thomasross20 said:

- Peach/Larrivee have to accept the return and do it but I think this is a pain for them and I have to ship back.

Peach's T&C's state that they will collect faulty items within 30 days of receipt. As you say, you have dinged the guitar so you can't return for a full refund but that is not relevant to whether the guitar was already faulty or not. If you are confident that there is a problem with some of the frets then I think you should ask for them to collect it. You run a risk of them finding it non-faulty and then getting into a spat about who pays for the collection and/or what to do next but, whatever you do, it is likely to incur some cost so you may as well at least have them collect and look at it.

Faulty Goods Within 30 Days of Delivery:

While we ensure that goods are fully functional and to the manufacturers specifications, faults outside of our control can sometimes unfortunately occur after purchase. Please contact the team at info@peachguitars.com if your item develops a fault, please include as much detail as possible and include photos/videos detailing the issue; we will offer troubleshooting to help resolve if this is possible. If the fault cannot be resolved, we will arrange a collection from you for assessment.

- Goods collected and found to be faulty within the 30 day period can either be repaired, fully refunded, or exchanged for another product.

- Goods collected that are deemed to be non-faulty within the first 14 days of purchase can be refunded provided they still meet the returns criteria above, however a charge for collection will be made.

- Goods collected after 14 days (but before 30 days) deemed non faulty will be returned to you, and a charge for collection/delivery will be made.

thomasross20 · December 2022

Well spotted.
I submitted the video and audio for them and we queried warranty yesterday so see what they say, thank you.

I know if I take it to luthier it'll be magic, set up for 11s and no buzz. But I just dropped a lot of cash.. I will keep updated

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Become a Subscriber!

Intonation issue / NGD

Comments