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Post subject: Odd artifacts coming from G String
Posted: Sun May 21, 2017 1:35 pm
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Hello Experts! I recently got a new American Special Strat. I often get this strange almost honking tone, or sometimes a super bright overtone from my G string depending on my amp settings. It's most pronounced when using the bridge pup.

I've got my action set a little high (5/64), experimented with .010 and .012 neck relief, looked for crud in the nut or saddle, and I have checked the intonation. I run Ernie Ballss 9-42 strings. I have changed strings, put dental floss in the nut, made sure the saddles are level etc. My pup height is at spec, even lowered them but it didn't seem to help.

Admittedly, my high frequency hearing was lost long ago (too much time in the back next to the drummers splash lol), so I can't really tell if it's there unamped or not. I have Texas Specials, and they are quite brittle so rolling off the tone helps, but on some high gain settings it still there no matter what.

I've searched on the topic, and the consensus of most of the forums and blogs I've read is "it's a Strat thing". I've heard the same sound coming from others doing demos of gear etc. Just wanted to get this community's take on the issue.

Thank you in advance!

Cheers,

AJB

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Post subject: Re: Odd artifacts coming from G String
Posted: Sun May 21, 2017 11:36 pm
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Don't ask like that - I don't claim any expert status so almost didn't reply... :wink:

Some things to ponder:

Test the guitar with another amp, just to make sure where the problem lies.
BTW, what amp are you using? Some high-gainers may be more prone to the problem.

Where and when do you get the odd artifact - like "all around, all the time" or any special pickup/area of the neck/settings of the amp etc?

You "experimented with .010/.012 relief", but what did you set it to eventually?

And: the usual cure for TexSpecials & G-string trouble is to lower the pickups - sometimes really low.

BTW, get rid of that dental floss... 8)


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Post subject: Re: Odd artifacts coming from G String
Posted: Mon May 22, 2017 1:09 am
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Could be a poorly cut nut causing odd harmonic overtones.
If the slot is cut at too steep an angle the string will contact the nut at the high spot on the fingerboard side, and lack proper support on the tuning machine side, and this will allow sympathetic resonances on the tuner side of the nut.
Try tying a handkerchief or similar around the neck and strings behind the nut.

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Post subject: Re: Odd artifacts coming from G String
Posted: Mon May 22, 2017 2:05 am
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stratmangler wrote:
Could be a poorly cut nut causing odd harmonic overtones.
If the slot is cut at too steep an angle the string will contact the nut at the high spot on the fingerboard side, and lack proper support on the tuning machine side, and this will allow sympathetic resonances on the tuner side of the nut.
Try tying a handkerchief or similar around the neck and strings behind the nut.


+1

As well, make sure the ball end of the offending string is fully seated into the pocket of the trem block.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Odd artifacts coming from G String
Posted: Mon May 22, 2017 7:44 am
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Thanks for the replies folks.

Right now my relief is set at .012. The artifacts are more prominent between the 7th and 12th fret, but I do hear it lower depending on how I attack the string. Rarely do I hear it above the 12th.

I'm currently using a Fender Mustang GT and this has definitely calmed the effect down, I notice it much more through my Boss GT-1. In both cases, I primarily use headphones (AKG K240).

I should have clarified, I ran dental floss through the nut slots, I didn't leave it there :)

I've changed string brands as well. Just put on D'Addario's 9-42 (my standard gauges). Ball ends are fully inserted into the trem block. Also, I haven't even installed the trem arm, still have the factory silver tape dot over the hole.

I've also tried dampening between the nut and the string trees. Didn't seem to make a difference.

I've been holding off taking it to a shop because I'm usually able set my gear up, and outside of GC, there aren't a lot of repair shops nearby. The one's that I would consider taking it to have a 2 week turnaround time. I don't know if I could live without my main guitar for that long, but I may have to bite the bullet and take it in to have the nut checked. That's not something I'm comfortable doing at home, and I don't feel like spending a gazillion dollars at StewMac for a set of files.

Thanks again for the input. And for the record, since this is my first Strat, I do consider everyone on this board an expert :)

Cheers,

AJ

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Post subject: Re: Odd artifacts coming from G String
Posted: Mon May 22, 2017 8:28 am
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Are you using the D & G string tree? I had issues on mine when I used that tree.
My issues were resolved by not using the tree, it can be left in place and the strings routed over the top of the tree. Some people prefer to remove the tree entirely.


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Post subject: Re: Odd artifacts coming from G String
Posted: Mon May 22, 2017 12:17 pm
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sfceric64 wrote:
Are you using the D & G string tree? I had issues on mine when I used that tree.
My issues were resolved by not using the tree, it can be left in place and the strings routed over the top of the tree. Some people prefer to remove the tree entirely.


Yes I am. I didn't even consider running the string over the tree. I'll give that a try. Thanks!

AJB

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Post subject: Re: Odd artifacts coming from G String
Posted: Mon May 29, 2017 7:52 am
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sfceric64 wrote:
Are you using the D & G string tree? I had issues on mine when I used that tree.
My issues were resolved by not using the tree, it can be left in place and the strings routed over the top of the tree. Some people prefer to remove the tree entirely.
Funnily enough, I've had unwanted tones when NOT using a D/G tree - I fit trees to every Strat I have if they already haven't got them.

May not be the same tones, though. I'm talking about lots of gain, hitting hard, and palm-muting, when the G (and sometimes D) string will vibrate behind the nut to the extent that an unwanted tone is very audible through the amp, after the fretted string/note has been deadened by palm-muting. However, in your case, where you've already tried dampening the strings between nut and tuner, it doesn't sound like your problem is the same as mine. Funny old things, Strats!

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Odd artifacts coming from G String
Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2017 10:23 pm
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Not the foremost expert, but some thoughts based on fairly recent experience:

-The nut could be it. In fact, on my murican deluxe posted here I was having some strange problems. As odd as it was, that metal/roller nut was in stock here at a local GC and solved a bit of my problems. Odd, hun?

-Also, relief. Not an expert but mine was TOO straight. My issues are usually with A/D strings more that G (though G for tuning)

-Strings/Gauge. Mega difference depending on many variables. For example, I've settled on D'Adarrio 9-46's on this guitar. But I like Cobalt 10-46 on my Ibanez, and standard EB on my Carvin 10-46. It's odd, but there are noticeable differences.

Hope that helps some. If there were good techs in my area (I'm pretty picky) or in yours, I'd do that. Some people are miracle workers.


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