Clangy sound on g-string on electric guitar
Christopher Mc Coy
I've been playing guitar for about 2 years, no formal lessons, just taught
myself off the net and through books. Lately I've noticed that the g-string
on my electric squire strat sounds more clangy than I remember. But
considering this is the first guitar I ever got and learned to play off of,
I don't know if it's been making the sound for the whole time. It's not
really *that* annoying, but still. I mean I know the e,B,G strings have more
of a metallic clangy type sound than the lower strings, but the G string
sounds more clangy than I would think it should. I've tried changing the
strings many times, but it just never sounds right. Keep in mind this isn't
something that a non-guitar player would necessarily notice, it's just
something that me as a player noticed on my guitar and thought was a little
odd. Any clues on what could be making the sound? I realize it's not the
greatest guitar, but I wouldn't think the guitar itself is the problem
necessarily.
Thanks in advance,
Chris
gb
gb
Daniel Pugliese
: Could the intonation just be off for that string?
: gb
I was thinking that it could be fret buzz and that, since it only
seems to afflict one string, raising the saddle for that string, rather than
a truss rod adjustment, might rectify the situation.
****************************************************************************
Pugs (Daniel Seung Pugliese) INTP pu...@execpc.com
"You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me!"
****************************************************************************
Christopher Mc Coy
technical aspects of the guitar though. I've read that unless you are an
expert you shouldn't go about adjusting the truss rod. But what is this
"raising the saddle for the string?" And is that something I could do on my
own? And it does seem to only affect one string, and it's not a real
serious problem, it's just one of those things that doesn't sound right. A
bit too clangy/metallic sounding.
Thanks,
Chris
No Busking
> serious problem, it's just one of those things that doesn't sound right.
A
> bit too clangy/metallic sounding.
When do you notice the clang? When it's open, fretted, or all the time?
Could it be something vibrating in sympathy? (pretty common affliction).
See if it still clangs when you press a finger agains the saddle or the nut
while it's vibrating.
Most likely, something's just worked itself loose or out of adjustment, and
it's no big deal to fix (although stuff like that can be a PITA to find).
Cheers,
--
Michael Pugh
Christopher Mc Coy
noticeable on the open fret. I guess cause it has more space to vibrate and
bounce around. And I tried placing my finger on the nut as it was
vibrating, and it seems to stop sounding so clangy. Any idea what could be
loose on it since it appears touching the nut appears to stop it?
Chris
Daniel Pugliese
: Hi, thanks for the responses. I'm relatively clueless on a lot of the
: technical aspects of the guitar though. I've read that unless you are an
: expert you shouldn't go about adjusting the truss rod. But what is this
: "raising the saddle for the string?" And is that something I could do on my
: own? And it does seem to only affect one string, and it's not a real
: serious problem, it's just one of those things that doesn't sound right. A
: bit too clangy/metallic sounding.
Hey Chris,
The saddles are the part of the bridge that each individual string
rests on. If you look at the top of the saddles, you should see two little
screws that you can adjust with a very small allen wrench. If you turn the
screws clockwise, you will raise the saddle and thereby raise the string a
bit. If you turn them anti-clockwise, you will lower the saddle and the
string.
I hope this helps.
No Busking
> The clangy sound happens no matter what fret is fretted, although it is
most
> noticeable on the open fret. I guess cause it has more space to vibrate
and
> bounce around. And I tried placing my finger on the nut as it was
> vibrating, and it seems to stop sounding so clangy. Any idea what could
be
> loose on it since it appears touching the nut appears to stop it?
Sorry it took so long to reply...I've been out of town.
If it stops when you touch the nut, it sounds like the string isn't sitting
right in the groove. I'm a little mystified, though, because if that's the
case, it probably wouldn't happen when the string was fretted...only when
open.
If it IS the nut, you might be able to dab a drop of superglue in the string
slot, then file it to the right size and shape. It's pretty tricky
business, though, and you could quite possibly make it worse if you aren't
careful and patient.
My recommendation would be to take it to a tech, who can probably find it
and fix it pretty quickly.
Sorry I couldn't be more help,
--
Michael Pugh
Jay Sottolano
According to several folks at Fender I've spoken to, this is not uncommon,
but I'd like to hear that from someone else. I know the sound the original
poster is talking about. It doesn't come through when amp'd up, but is there
when you strike the open G acoustically. I've toyed with the idea of adding
another string tree, but Fender says that any mods to the headstock voids the
warranty on the neck.
The only remedy I've found, is to have the G string wound further down the
post. Since I've switched to locking Schallers though, I don't have as much
post left though. You can do put a cotton ball between either the B-G strings,
or the G-D, and the ringing goes away as well (but that looks really stupid).
As I said, it is not there when amp'd up, so I've kind of accepted it. I'd
appreciate any other thoughts though.
Jay S.
Christopher Mc Coy
amp, even through distortion. I probably should have said that in my
original post. Since I'm only a novice guitar player, it's hard to explain
the exact sound and problem. Ok, let me try a new description of the
problem. Ok, you know if you were to play the A string, then play the B
string, the B string would sound more metallic or clangy. Now it is natural
to sound somewhat metallic or clangy since it is a thinner string. But my
problem is that the G string seems to sound as metallic as say a string one
higher up than the high E string. Know what I mean? You know how each
string sounds a little more metallic as you go up the guitar to the higher
pitch strings? I'd even maybe say the string itself sounds too loose, but
it's wound quite tight. So that shouldn't be the problem. I also have an
acoustic guitar, and I know the strings sound a little "warmer" or something
than the electric guitar strings, but the acoustic G string sounds a lot
better than the electric one. And like I had said before, I learned how to
play from scratch on the electric guitar, so I'm not sure if this problem
with the G string just happened recently, or if I'm just beginning to notice
it as I'm becoming a better player.
Thanks to everyone for the advice, and I know it's hard to tell what the
problem is. Especially since you're only going by a novice's description of
the problem. I'll try a few more things and see what people recommend, but
before doing anything with glue or anything like that, I'll take it to a
profession, so I don't mess up my guitar myself.
Thanks again everyone,
Chris
Hal
news:s0m67.16121$I5.30...@typhoon.nyc.rr.com:
Dude!
This clangy sound....is it because the string is rattling against a fret, a
buzzing string? Or is it a tone thing? If its a buzzing string then its a
set up problem and best answer is to get the guitar to a good guitar shop
or luthier and get them to check it out. If its a tone thing, have you
changed the strings recently? New strings do sometimes sound more metallic
until they're settled in. I find that usually copper wound strings that do
that. Also old and worn out stings can get a metallic sound too, try a new
set if yours are old!
I'd still say get it checked out by a reputable luthier or shop if you're
really not happy with the sound.
--
Hal!
www.ukjuggler.net
Jay Sottolano
I'm almost positive I know exactly the sound you are talking about. Let me
ask you if you touch the G string above the nut (closer to the tuner) even with
the lightest touches, does it stop the "clangy" sound? Try the cotton ball just
lightly wedged between the G and either the B or D strings. G strings are
notorious. In my case, as I said, it doesn't come through amp'd. Also try a
new G string, but wind it down around the post at least twice as many wraps as
the B string (try to get to say 6 or 7 windings) and see if that helps.
Jay S.
No Busking
> new G string, but wind it down around the post at least twice as many
wraps as
> the B string (try to get to say 6 or 7 windings) and see if that helps.
The problem is...multiple wraps create more slack bits in the wind, which
makes it difficult to keep the string in tune. Especially on the G-string,
which gets bent a lot when playing lead.
Something's not adjusted right, and I'll bet a good repairman could track it
down quickly.
--
Michael Pugh