1st fret?

[Todd Denham]

Hello,

New to the forum, and back playing steel after a long lay-off after picking up a Fender Stringmaster D8.

Are there any tricks or advice to getting a clean sound on the first fret? It seems that the unevenness of the strings means some don't ring out cleanly low down. Maybe it's me?

Todd

[Bill Leff]

I play a D8 Stringmaster and have never noticed an issue.

[Greg Cutshaw]

On a few of my guitars a little more pressure is needed at the first fret to get a clean sound so it's an easy fix. This goes along with all the the other skills needed to overcome the quirks inherent in a pedal steel guitar.

[Mike Neer]

The strings on a correctly set up guitar should be even across the top as much as possible, or at least on an even plane, even if it is sloped somewhat from the bass strings. It's possible you're using a different gauge than what the nut was slotted for. In that case, it can be difficult to get things to sound even on the lower frets. Applying more pressure is going to push the string seated higher a little sharp.

[David DeLoach]

My 1960 D8 has no issues at the 1st fret.

As Mike stated, it could be the strings. Have you tried restringing your D8 ensuring the proper gauge strings are used?

IF that doesn't resolve the issue, it might be something a good guitar tech could take care of.

[Todd Denham]

Thanks, I'll see how it goes after a restring.

[Tucker Jackson]

Common issue, 1st fret requires more downward pressure with the bar.

[Tim Whitlock]

Common issue, 1st fret requires more downward pressure with the bar.

Very true, however the amount of bar pressure needed can vary, depending on the nut. For example, on the Fender Dual Pros and Customs the nut slots are all the same depth, causing the larger strings to sit higher than the smaller ones. I find I have to pay much more attention to bar pressure with those instruments. When Fender introduced the Stringmaster, the nut was designed with graduated slot depths, resulting in a more even surface for the bar to glide over. However the issue always exists to some degree on every steel guitar at the first fret due to the higher string tension there (less "give"). In any case, it's just a matter of adjusting your technique until it becomes second nature. In extreme cases, you might have to modify the slots.

[Brooks Montgomery]

I thought this string leveling nut design was a great idea, but I can’t remember where I got the photo