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Post subject: Why does my B string sound like a banjo?
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 5:14 pm
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This is a newbie question. Bought an American Standard Strat new a year ago. The B string sounds like a banjo. So does the G to a lesser degree. The guitar has a maple neck. I'm using Ernie Ball slinky strings tho I noticed the problem with the stock Fender strings I'm pretty sure. Is the bridge the likely culprit? Is this normal? You can bury the banjo sound under distortion and it's less conspicuous with some switch settings than others but it's still annoying, especially because I'm into clean tones. Thanks for any tips.


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Post subject: Re: Why does my B string sound like a banjo?
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 5:30 pm
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Clapton's "Brownie" had that banjo tone. Thats' what Eric liked about it. You can lower that side of the pickups if you like.


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Post subject: Re: Why does my B string sound like a banjo?
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 6:32 pm
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Well I guess if it's okay by EC it oughta be okay by me. I certainly wouldn't object to having his tone! I listen to the Layla jam sessions with Allman a lot and really like the tone and of course the playing.


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Post subject: Re: Why does my B string sound like a banjo?
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:23 am
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SNick wrote:
Clapton's "Brownie" had that banjo tone. Thats' what Eric liked about it. You can lower that side of the pickups if you like.


Agreed ^

Even a small height adjustment of pups can make a difference.

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Post subject: Re: Why does my B string sound like a banjo?
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 2:31 pm
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That's the mojo....don't mess with!

But seriously, I'm wondering if, as has been suggested, it's related to your pickup height. If one of the pickups is a little high, the magnets really start to mess with the strings, and create general weirdness (bad mojo).

So yeah, just try lowing the pickup to the point where the banjo tone goes away.


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Post subject: Re: Why does my B string sound like a banjo?
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 4:14 pm
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Frankly, I'd try raising the B string a bit before doing anything else, followed by the G string if raising the B string in fact, eliminates the problem.

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Post subject: Re: Why does my B string sound like a banjo?
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:45 am
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See a professional luthier and have a set up, neck height, intonations, harmonics etc.

I changed the strings on my blacktop and the g string was like a damned alley cat, i accidentally moved the saddle for the string. A trip to the luthier and it sounded awesome yet again, had me worried tho, LoL


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Post subject: Re: Why does my B string sound like a banjo?
Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:03 pm
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Thanks to everyone for suggestions. I've raised the strings but I haven't lowered the pickups yet. My Strat just doesn't sound Stratty enough. I'm using a Vox Valvetronix VT40 which has amp models, some sound Voxy but none that I've tried sound Stratty. Maybe I'll lower the pickups next.


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Post subject: Re: Why does my B string sound like a banjo?
Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 6:48 am
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Peter1234 wrote:
This is a newbie question. Bought an American Standard Strat new a year ago. The B string sounds like a banjo. So does the G to a lesser degree. The guitar has a maple neck. I'm using Ernie Ball slinky strings tho I noticed the problem with the stock Fender strings I'm pretty sure. Is the bridge the likely culprit? Is this normal? You can bury the banjo sound under distortion and it's less conspicuous with some switch settings than others but it's still annoying, especially because I'm into clean tones. Thanks for any tips.



Its a Hendrix thing... That's how he found thinner strings, he used Banjo Strings...

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