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Post subject: oscillating G string
Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 9:51 am
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I added a 2012 American Strat to my small collection, over all I'm happy with it.....But, I get a weird oscillating sound on the G string that gets more noticalbe the higher I go on the neck. I can hear it even when I'm not plugged into an amp. I also have an American Special and a MIM Strat both were set up by the same guy and play with no problems. The intonation on the G string on the American Standard is a little tempermetal but even when it's bang on there's still that oscillating sound...(like a tremolo sound).
Could it be how the nut was cut? The guitar otherwise sounds great with the Fat 50's but that oscillating sound is driving me crazy.
Any thoughts?


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Post subject: Re: oscillating G string
Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 11:56 am
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How high do you have your pickups set?

If the pole pieces are too close to the strings, that can produce the symptoms you've described.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: oscillating G string
Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 12:03 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
How high do you have your pickups set?

If the pole pieces are too close to the strings, that can produce the symptoms you've described.

Arjay



Even when unplugged from an amp? you guys need to start reading these posts really good before replying.


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Post subject: Re: oscillating G string
Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 12:14 pm
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Rocksmith wrote:
Retroverbial wrote:
How high do you have your pickups set?

If the pole pieces are too close to the strings, that can produce the symptoms you've described.

Arjay



Even when unplugged from an amp? you guys need to start reading these posts really good before replying.


Sounds perfectly reasonable to me - if the pickups are too high, the magnetic fields can do very odd things to the vibrations of the strings, which can and does manifest itself when unplugged too if particularly severe.

Could always be a duff string, of course - had a few one brand new ones over the years (Mostly Fender, strangely enough!) which just sounded utterly bizarre.


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Post subject: Re: oscillating G string
Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 12:14 pm
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Correct.

The magnet is always exerting a pull on the string, regardless of whether the instrument is plugged in or not.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: oscillating G string
Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 12:59 pm
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brendangleeson wrote:
... I get a weird oscillating sound on the G string that gets more noticalbe the higher I go on the neck. ...
@ Retroverbial +1

May I also suggest you check for any physical damage/deformity on the string.

I also had what I would describe as a "permanent tremolo" but others may call "a weird kind of oscillating sound" on the G-string. When stringing the guiar I initially did not pull hard enough on the string so the bullet end was not sitting properly in the trem block. When tuning up with the tuners the bullet was pulled into place and there was a noticeable bump (bend) in the string very close to the saddle. The string was in tune and the intonation was perfect, but there was also a permanent tremolo effect. I don't recall if it was more acute playing up the neck but it was always present regardless of whether the guitar was plugged in or not.

HTH

Cheers!
BM

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Post subject: Re: oscillating G string
Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 4:40 pm
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Rocksmith wrote:
Retroverbial wrote:
How high do you have your pickups set?

If the pole pieces are too close to the strings, that can produce the symptoms you've described.

Arjay



Even when unplugged from an amp? you guys need to start reading these posts really good before replying.

You obviously know more than the folks trying to help you so good luck.


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Post subject: Re: oscillating G string
Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 9:24 pm
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I didn't know if something like that could be caused by the pickups unplugged. I stand corrected, we learn something new everyday.


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Post subject: Re: oscillating G string
Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 11:20 pm
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tbazzone wrote:
You obviously know more than the folks trying to help you so good luck.


Rocksmith was not the OP! :wink:

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Post subject: Re: oscillating G string
Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 11:24 pm
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Rocksmith wrote:
I didn't know if something like that could be caused by the pickups unplugged. I stand corrected, we learn something new everyday.


Magnets are still magnets when unplugged, and strings are still made of metal. All manner of weirdness can happen when the two get a little too close for comfort. :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: oscillating G string
Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 11:34 pm
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brendangleeson wrote:
Could it be how the nut was cut?


In fact, it can!
Apply some pressure on the string right over the slot in the saddle with your fingernail and play the string. Lift the string out of the slot, let it rest on top of the saddle and play the string.
Do the same test by applying pressure on the string behind the nut (tuner side). It'll go sharp but that doesn't matter for the test.
If the strange noise remains, it's not a faulty saddle, it's something else.

Next possibility: too low string action on the G-string, probably combined with a wrong trussrod adjustment, leading to the string slightly touching the higher frets (it get's worse when you move up the neck).

Check misplacement of the string saddle at the bridge. Especially vintage saddles could produce that sound if one of the two tiny screws retreated a bit and only one of the screws actually has contact with the bridge plate (can happen with modern saddles as well!).

Remove backplate and put some piece of sponge under the springs of the trem. At a certain springtension the spring might just resonate with a certain string (G in your case), which can sound as if it was the string itself. Check if the noise is gone afterwards.

Pickup height (as mentioned by others) can induce that phenomenon as well.

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Post subject: Re: oscillating G string
Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 4:10 am
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I've had this problem on Strats with no 3rd/4th string trees, even with staggered locking tuners.
Mute the strings around the 5th fret and hit them hard (preferably with distortion). I get a ringing sound after the strings have finished sounding. Plucking the G behind the nut will give exactly that sound, which may be what you're talking about?

It may be because I use 9-42's tuned down half a step, but my cure has been simple and cheap - fit another string tree, in addition to the 1st/2nd already there. My '91 Strat came with 2 trees and has never had that problem.

To see if the IS your problem, you can simulate the effect of a 3rd/4th tree by various means: Slide a rod under the other strings and above the 3rd/4th, which will increase the break angle a little, or some similar method.

Appreciate you may not want to drill holes in a new Strat - I didn't want to on my Custom Deluxe either - but the thing has to be playable, doesn't it?

If it's not that, I'm stuck! Although you might try changing your make or guage of strings, perhaps...

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: oscillating G string
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 2:38 pm
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as Smokin' Frets said, i had this happen to an old guitar i had, the trem springs were causing the problem, i never use the trem on the guitar, so i lightly placed a small piece of duct tape over them, and it stopped the weird sounds.

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Post subject: Re: oscillating G string
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 6:10 am
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Thanks for all the tips and suggestions . Seven months, 4 luthiers and $370 dollars later the problem has not been resolved. The problem has taken all the fun out of playing that guitar, I play my Ibanez 2570 or my MIM Strat ( which has performed flawlessly for 10 years ) and there sits a beautiful looking yet frustrating 2012 American Standard. I am so disappointed in this guitar. I really don't know where to turn next? My conscience won't allow me to sell it because whoever buys it would have the same problem. A friend has one and it plays and sounds beautiful. If anybody has any ideas as to the problem...please let me know. Thanks again.


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Post subject: Re: oscillating G string
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 6:49 am
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Hi again,

Obviously not down to the lack of 3rd/4th string tree, then?

What about the bar itself? I've noticed that, if the bar isn't under any tension - ie: it's positioned so that the small spring isn't compressed - it can set up a sort of oscillation which sounds odd when you play single strings.

I expect you will, but have you tried it without the bar fitted?

Just a thought / cheers - Peter.


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