Guitar fret out of tune

[Rad Synner]

Hi everyone!
Quick question on the more technical side of things. So I have my ESP Ltd ex-400 who sounds great and in tune everywhere except on the first fret where it is just slightly out of tune enough for me to notice it.
Im generally pretty intersted on doing stuff myself on my guitar because I like experimenting and learning so my question is: what could it be? Is it the intonation and shoud i adjust the string saddle of the G string or is it something else that maybe someone knows about?
Thank you and have a great day!

 

[Ed Seith]

Is it just the G? Because the G string has long been a problem for guitarists, and not just because of retreading the same tired, bad joke. The problem is that the fret system is not perfect, partly because different string gauges, but for a lot of reasons I don’t entirely understand. If you look at true temperament frets, the problem is clear:
https://images.talkbass.com/attachments/tt_formula1_lay-jpg.2072388/
This is how you get every note to sound “right.” Notice how far the fret “wiggles” for the G string, especially at the first fret? That illustrates the issue. The best you can do, short of getting your guitar refretted with true temp frets, is adjust the intonation so it all works best in the area of the guitar where you tend to be on that string the most. And use bends.
It certainly could be there’s a larger issue on your particular guitar, and if you’re still concerned, you might want to have a luthier look it over, but if it’s only G, this is my inclination.

 

[Rad Synner]

Thank you so much Ed! and yes indeed its just that damn G string!Ill try to see what I can do with what you told me!
Again thank you so much!

 

[Jak Angelescu]

I agree 1000000000% with Ed. Fretted instruments have always had this flaw and it’s been proven that they can never be 100% perfectly in tune with each chord, each octave, and in every position. You can check if it’s an intonation problem by checking the tuning of the open G string and then checking the tuning of it on the 12th fret. If it’s off, it’s an intonation problem.

 

[Rad Synner]

Thank you Jak, I will do that as well!
I dont mind them being completely in tune both for exemple all three of my synyster models sound great and in tune but not my ex. its annoying!

 

[Rad Synner]

Hey guys!
I just wanted to let you know that i solved the problem! my guitar sounds fine now! It was indeed an intonation problem.
My guitar sounds great and in tune now! thank you some much Jak and Ed!