Odd tuning issue. Nut?

[Diocletian]

On the Marlin strat I've been trying to make worthwhile, there is an odd tuning issue. I've seen it before on other cheap or old guitars but I don't know what causes it.

Basically, if I tune the guitar properly, either by ear, or using a tuner, so all the strings are in tune, when I hit a power chord/chord one string always sounds wrong (B). It only sounds right if I tune it slightly flat.

I've set the intonation, that's fine. What would cause this annoying problem? Do I need a new nut?

[NevermindUs]

i believe moving the saddle around for the b string should help a bit

[Beer$]

Do you push the strings hard or bend the strings much?

[Johtosotku]

Well to me it sounds like an intonation problem. How have you set it? It may be that the B string will not intonate perfect enough for you from its whole length. You should probably set the intonation based on where it's most of a problem to you.

[Eamonn]

It can be any one of a number of things, or even a combination. I know for example that Joe Satriani uses older vintage frets because he feels that the taller frets cause notes to go sharp if too much hand pressure is applied when fretting. It could very well be an intonation issue also. If the guitar is a keeper I would have a luthier, and not a guitar tech, take a lot at it.

You might want to look at tempered tuning, which is predicated on the theory that a neck is never going to be completely intoned, so using a method of compromised tuning between open notes, harmonics, and fretted notes makes all positions equally in pitch...or equally out of pitch.

Another factor to consider is overdrive or distortion. When a distorted note deacys it natuarlly goes flat. I've seen guitarists spend half their time trying to tune their instrument only to play a note or chord with too much OD and then sound flat...even though it really isn't.

[KeeperOS]

+1 on the intonation. To me that's the only time it happens, and the ONLY way I found to properly fix it is to take it to the best tech/luthier I know/can afford and ask him to do it a complete setup. I found that if you get it right ONCE, subsequent setups/readjustments won't need that much effort...

[Diocletian]

Thanks for the replies guys. I don't press the strings all that hard I don't think.
I'll just try adjusting the intonation more, see if that helps.

[bungalowbill]

+1 to everything so far...and I will add that a nut that is too tall will cause fretted noted to be sharp.

[Lazarus1140]

+1 to everything so far...and I will add that a nut that is too tall will cause fretted noted to be sharp.

+1

..... and the B and G strings are the usual culprits.