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Post subject: Tuning question (possible strange issue)
Posted: Mon May 19, 2014 6:41 am
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Hey all,

Completely new to guitars in general. Bought a MIM strat about a month ago, took it out of the box and just been learning from online tutorials. Never did any setup or anything except from basic tuning.

A few nights ago, was out with some buddies, and we ended up somewhere that had a strat hanging on the wall. Asked if I could check it out and right away noticed the strings were much lower than mine, and it felt better.

So I get home, google around and learned how to adjust the string height. Seemed easy enough. Silly me, I didn't realize that the screws don't actually thread into that area, so it is actually reversed. I was trying to lower the strings by tightening the screws.

So I started with the D string as the E and A strings seemed fine. Long story short, I turned that string height adjustment into an idiotic nightmare. Ended up having to completely release the tension on that string, and fish out the screw I threaded all the way through.

Ended up getting all the string heights to the height I wanted (adjusting both screws evenly in very small increments). Everything is in tune, etc.

Except, there is a strange thing going on with that D string. When I play it, its right on the money for D. But the after buzz drops super low under D. Compared to the other strings where when played, they hold that note solid throughout the few seconds they continue to buzz after being played. But again, the D string is in tune for the initial strike, and then falls low after.

I haven't done any other adjustments like intonation, etc.

I have a feeling I may have damaged that string or something else may be going on.

Hopefully I can get some feedback.

Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Tuning question (possible strange issue)
Posted: Mon May 19, 2014 6:57 am
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seek wrote:
they continue to buzz after being played

Buzzing usually means your action is too low, or you don't have enough neck relief. Both are fixable through adjustments.
If only certain strings, and the buzzing is worst on open strings, check the machine heads and their bushings. Chances are you can tighten them up.
If only certain strings, and the buzzing occurs no matter what note you play, check the bridge saddle. There should be no loose screws, and you should be able to run a dental floss between the saddles, so they don't buzz against each other.

But chances are that you've adjusted the action too low.

seek wrote:
But again, the D string is in tune for the initial strike, and then falls low after.

That's common for wound strings. As the problem gets worse the more stretchy the strings are, getting new strings will likely help. Also, picking softer and increasing the volume on the amp.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning question (possible strange issue)
Posted: Mon May 19, 2014 7:43 am
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Sorry, I worded it wrong. Didn't mean buzz. But when you play a string, the few seconds it still makes a sound after.

As for the D string, you're right, turning the volume up fixed it! Was doing some early morning 7am practicing today and checked the tuning when I noticed the issue. Live in an apartment so have to keep the volume low. Must of been why I didn't notice it 2 days ago when I adjusted the height as the volume was much louder.

So I must of just overstretched that string a bit.

Thanks for the reply, appreciate it.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning question (possible strange issue)
Posted: Mon May 19, 2014 11:01 pm
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Hi, seek,

Since you seem to be the kind of player that likes to fiddle with the equipment, I'd suggest you read this, preferably before the next string change:
stratocaster-setup-guide


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Post subject: Re: Tuning question (possible strange issue)
Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 2:16 am
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Do a complete set up step by step .


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Post subject: Re: Tuning question (possible strange issue)
Posted: Thu May 22, 2014 9:34 pm
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Thanks for the replies.

Did a little bit of intonation setting up today. Seemed to be a million ways to do it and confusing. But just used the g strings program for android and used open string played, and 12th fretted on that string played and made them line up perfect in gstrings. It was pretty close out of the box, each string needed just a slight adjustment.

Interesting the 5th fret tuning method lines up perfect too. So whatever I did seemed to help.

Need a capo since some of the basic songs I am learning want capos. Once I get around to that will check out the truss rod.

I don't know how other electric guitars are, but these seem super easy to adjust.

Thanks again.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning question (possible strange issue)
Posted: Fri May 23, 2014 2:18 am
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seek wrote:
Thanks for the replies.

Did a little bit of intonation setting up today. Seemed to be a million ways to do it and confusing.
With some experience you 'll see there are only 2 are the best

But just used the g strings program for android and used open string played, and 12th fretted on that string played and made them line up perfect in gstrings. It was pretty close out of the box, each string needed just a slight adjustment.

Interesting the 5th fret tuning method lines up perfect too. So whatever I did seemed to help.

Need a capo since some of the basic songs I am learning want capos. Once I get around to that will check out the truss rod.

First thing to do , Use a good quality allen wrench which must fit tight in you truss rod nut , loose one can damage truss rod nut

I don't know how other electric guitars are, but these seem super easy to adjust.
Al Fender guitar are easy to work on If you take your time and have good tools

Thanks again.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning question (possible strange issue)
Posted: Sat May 24, 2014 12:44 am
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stratele52 wrote:
All Fender guitar are easy to work on If you take your time and have good tools

Hmm...
Easy, because there are so many features to adjust.
Not so easy, because there are so many features to adjust...
:wink:


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Post subject: Re: Tuning question (possible strange issue)
Posted: Sat May 24, 2014 2:10 am
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jmattis wrote:
stratele52 wrote:
All Fender guitar are easy to work on If you take your time and have good tools

Hmm...
Easy, because there are so many features to adjust.
Not so easy, because there are so many features to adjust...
:wink:



Yes easy , but take time . :lol:

Much easier and take less time with some experience


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Post subject: Re: Tuning question (possible strange issue)
Posted: Sun May 25, 2014 3:16 pm
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stratele52 wrote:
jmattis wrote:
stratele52 wrote:
All Fender guitar are easy to work on If you take your time and have good tools

Hmm...
Easy, because there are so many features to adjust.
Not so easy, because there are so many features to adjust...
:wink:



Yes easy , but take time . :lol:

Much easier and take less time with some experience

Yup easy, just take your time and be careful.

also just for info, when you strum/pluck a string the strong sound part is "the attack" as the string vibrates and gets quieter it's called "the decay"

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Post subject: Re: Tuning question (possible strange issue)
Posted: Sun May 25, 2014 10:51 pm
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Twelvebar wrote:
also just for info, when you strum/pluck a string the strong sound part is "the attack" as the string vibrates and gets quieter it's called "the decay"


Partially correct, but incomplete. Some people call everything after the attack "decay", which I guess you do(?), but most people would say that decay is just the small time between the attack until you reach the "normal" ringing, which is called sustain.

In music theory, there's also a release at the end of the sustain where the sound dies out quicker, but on a guitar, the release phase where the friction of the string (and magnets, for electric guitar) overcomes the remaining sustain happens so far out in the sustain sequence that it can be disregarded - the sound has almost died out by that point anyhow.

Anyhow, here's an illustration:

Image

If using a compressor/sustain/fuzz effect, the tone can also be abruptly cut off during sustain, when the signal becomes too weak to track. That is called gating - the gate is the part of the sound that can be tracked, so gating means the end of the gate.


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Post subject: Re: Tuning question (possible strange issue)
Posted: Mon May 26, 2014 1:34 pm
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Having the pickups (magnets) too close to the strings can cause strange sounds.

Look up "stratitus."

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