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Post subject: New Strat owner! Questions and issues
Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:41 pm
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hello all,

I am a happy owner of a new Strat American. First, I wanted to share my joy, then I would like to ask a couple of questions.

I have been playing guitar for a few years, but I would still consider myself a beginner/amateur: never been in a band, I just play at home cause I like it :)

My setup is very simple: I plug my Strat directly to a Marshall MG15CD amp. I have a few effects pedals, but I bought them when I was younger and unwise, and I rarely use them. I intend to invest in a good overdrive/blues drive pedal soon, and maybe upgrade my amp to a small 5W tube amp for a classic blues sound.

Now, going to the point, I have noticed a few issues:

- I love the tone I get with the 4 bottom strings, but the B and high E sound very thin and metallic. Is there a way to improve that? should I adjust the height of the pickups? use a different string gauge? I use .010 ATM.

- I have noticed an odd clicking noise when I use the vibrato arm. I think that the noise comes from the springs at the back of the body. However, that noise seems to transmit itself to the strings and then onto the amp. Essentially, I hear that clicking noise amplified. Is there a way around this?

- Finally, when it comes to the metal string tuners in the headstock of the guitar. In particular, the small rods where the strings are inserted. The 2 rods for the 2 lowest strings (low E and A) are different to the other 4 rods: they are 3 mm higher and have a more rounded shape, while the other 4 have a more straight shape. Is this normal?

Thanks for your help!


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Post subject: Re: New Strat owner! Questions and issues
Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:40 pm
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Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:28 pm
Posts: 1956
mkorman wrote:
hello all,

I am a happy owner of a new Strat American. First, I wanted to share my joy, then I would like to ask a couple of questions.

I have been playing guitar for a few years, but I would still consider myself a beginner/amateur: never been in a band, I just play at home cause I like it :)

mkorman wrote:
My setup is very simple: I plug my Strat directly to a Marshall MG15CD amp. I have a few effects pedals, but I bought them when I was younger and unwise, and I rarely use them. I intend to invest in a good overdrive/blues drive pedal soon, and maybe upgrade my amp to a small 5W tube amp for a classic blues sound.!


Check out the Fender Superchamp XD... I've never liked the sound of a pure modeling amp with external pedals... the SCXD is a hybrid that employs a 6V6, 12ax7, and tube rectifier... sweet!


mkorman wrote:
- I love the tone I get with the 4 bottom strings, but the B and high E sound very thin and metallic. Is there a way to improve that? should I adjust the height of the pickups? use a different string gauge? I use .010 ATM.!


I have the 40W version of your amp and I would say it's coming from the amp.

mkorman wrote:
- I have noticed an odd clicking noise when I use the vibrato arm. I think that the noise comes from the springs at the back of the body. However, that noise seems to transmit itself to the strings and then onto the amp. Essentially, I hear that clicking noise amplified. Is there a way around this?!


Next time you put on new strings, remove the backplate, take them all off and check all the moving parts for any interferrence at any point that moves.

mkorman wrote:
- Finally, when it comes to the metal string tuners in the headstock of the guitar. In particular, the small rods where the strings are inserted. The 2 rods for the 2 lowest strings (low E and A) are different to the other 4 rods: they are 3 mm higher and have a more rounded shape, while the other 4 have a more straight shape. Is this normal?!


These are normal Fender staggered machines.

Good luck and have a panic with your new baby!

Thanks for your help!


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Post subject: Re: New Strat owner! Questions and issues
Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 5:08 pm
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Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:09 pm
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Location: Rochester, NY
mkorman wrote:
- I have noticed an odd clicking noise when I use the vibrato arm. I think that the noise comes from the springs at the back of the body. However, that noise seems to transmit itself to the strings and then onto the amp. Essentially, I hear that clicking noise amplified. Is there a way around this?!


I'm more inclined to say that the sound is coming from the nut. When you change strings, lubricate it. You can use Nut Sauce, or graphite from a pencil.


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Post subject: Re: New Strat owner! Questions and issues
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 7:00 am
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pohatu771 wrote:
mkorman wrote:
- I have noticed an odd clicking noise when I use the vibrato arm. I think that the noise comes from the springs at the back of the body. However, that noise seems to transmit itself to the strings and then onto the amp. Essentially, I hear that clicking noise amplified. Is there a way around this?!


I'm more inclined to say that the sound is coming from the nut. When you change strings, lubricate it. You can use Nut Sauce, or graphite from a pencil.


I agree here.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:23 pm
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i agree it could be a nut issue... have had the same problem and that's what it was...

you can always stuff cotton in the springs in the back if they are vibrating or something. that is what i did, won't hurt even if it's not the issue.


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Post subject: Clicketty click
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 11:08 am
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Location: Peckham: where the snow leopards roam
The clicking noise certainly might be friction at the nut as the strings move against it when the trem is used. It could also be the same thing at the saddles; and the solution is the same. When you change the strings, just rub the point of a sharp pencil into the groove on the saddles where the strings touch them. The graphite will give lubrication.

While you're about it, just check if there is any worn and jagged metal around the breaking point on the saddles, too. Flaking metal on cheap saddles is sometimes an issue. Then a little work with a very fine file is necesary; or just a new set of saddles.

This problem often magnifies with old strings, too. It is sometimes a signal that a string is about to break. When we are starting out we never want to change the strings often enough. We seem to break so many we don't want to change 'em when they're still in one piece. Are the strings old? Is there a build-up of dirt on the wound strings...? Time for a nice new set!

One more possibility, though. (Very infrequently) there can be a kind of metal fatigue in the trem springs themselves. Take the back plate off and work the trem with your ear right up close to the springs and see if the noise is coming from them. If so, any guitar shop can supply you with a new set of springs; or search for suppliers online. It is a cheap and easy maintenance job.

In fact, with the guitar unplugged get your ear nice and close to all the moving parts of the instrument, front and back, while moving the whammy. You should be able to locate the source of any noise with a mechanical cause. Just don't catch a breaking string in the eye!


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:01 am
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Thanks for your answers, my friends. I will certainly try to lubricate the nut and the saddles with some graphite the next time I do some guitar maintenance.

I will let you know how it went :)


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