[b weird]

O.K. I just bought a new guitar and the 12 fret is high. when I say high when I play the "E" note on the 12th fret it plays "F". So I called my music store an they said that the fret had to be filed but I forgot to ask which fret had to be filed. Is it the 11 or 12th fret? Thanks.

[strumminsix]

They lied.

I'm sure an extra large fret and a strong pushdown could sharpen a note but not flatten it.

Likely the intonation is off.

Check the 10th fret. Is it a D? I'm guessing D#.

Could also be the cut of the nut.

Get it to a good tech!

[Emoto]

Take it back to the store. They should be setting up the intonation for you. If the bridge is adjustable for each string, that can take care of it. Otherwise, run Forest, run...

[I'm on the Bozo Bus]

New, out of the box guitars should not be fretting out, nor should the intonation be so out of wack it drops by a half step... DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!!

Tune that rascal with a tuner only using open strings.
A quick easy way to tell.... Play an e chord in the first position, then play an e chord on the 12th fret. If it is out of tune at the 12th but in tune with the open e, you have intonation issues.
OR...
If you have an electronic tuner, tune the e open, then fret it at the 12th fret it is a few cents off of an e that means a minor adjustment to that string, if it rings to an f, a little more adjustment. If the frets need filing that bad with an instrument right out of the box.... TAKE IT BACK.
PEACE,
Phil

[strumminsix]

Some say it's best to use harmonics on the 12th fret when setting intonation...

[b weird]

Well I took it to the store and the guitar guy asked where I got it (Musiciansfriend.com). After I told him that he said that he could fix the problem for $30-60 or I could pack the guitar back up and send it back since there was a screw missing from the pickguard, a small dent in the back, and the bad fret. So I decided that's what I'm going to do.

Thanks anyway guys.

[Emoto]

I guess a lot of people get lucky, but personally, I would not buy a guitar that I could not first examine closely. I guess the ability to ship one back is kind of like that, but a bit more of a hassle. Not trying to rank on the OP in any way; I just think that there is too much about a guitar that needs to be "just exactly perfect" for me to trust in mail order...

[I'm on the Bozo Bus]

Some say it's best to use harmonics on the 12th fret when setting intonation...

Very true as the nut is "supposed" to be "Matched" harmonic-wise right over the 12th. Unless one uses the Buzz Fenton (sp) method.... Then you have to make a pyramid hat from aluminum foil, stand facing the east, light candles and dance around them naked to conjure the spirit of Bach for an official okee dokee that you're in tune....
PEACE,
Phil

[strumminsix]

Some say it's best to use harmonics on the 12th fret when setting intonation...

Very true as the nut is "supposed" to be "Matched" harmonic-wise right over the 12th. Unless one uses the Buzz Fenton (sp) method.... Then you have to make a pyramid hat from aluminum foil, stand facing the east, light candles and dance around them naked to conjure the spirit of Bach for an official okee dokee that you're in tune....
PEACE,
Phil

Thanks, Phil!!! Now I know what I was doing wrong.
I wore a loin cloth... Naked next time!! Thanks!!