A real mystery to me

Roger Francis · From: kokomo,Indiana, USA

This is something that has been going on for about 3mos and its driving me crazy. My 6th and 7th string does'nt want to play well with others, 5 & 6 together from 3rd fret to about the 10th fret the 6th string sounds almost non melotic or a little out of tune with the 5 string, i check my tuning and everything is fine, 6 string has a little bassier sound than i think it should have, 6 & 8 together same thing, 5 & 8 sounds good together, 5 to first string sounds good with any combination of those 5, 5 & 7 same thing, 7 is just like the 6th string or 567 together 5 is fine 6 & 7 not mixing well with 5, 7 seems to have to much of an upper mid sound. when doing a forward roll stating at 8 up to the 4th string 6 & 7 dont seem to have the same attack as the others.

Things i've tried to date with some slightly better results are, checked my changer and it is in great shape no grooves and smooth, flushed out changer and relubed, removed rollers, cleaned shaft, relubed, examined rollers, new strings, same problem but only slightly better. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated, Thanks Roger

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Here's one test that'll cost you some strings, but will tell you whether strings or guitar are your problem:
Restring it with either your 10th string in the 8th string slot, and go up, or put your 1st string in the 5th string slot and run on down. That way, the offending strings are on the guitar, but on a different finger, or the fingers will be offending different strings.
See which sounds out of place.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

What guitar are you playing, what pickup is in it, and how old are the strings? What amp, effects and speaker are you using? When diagnosing complex tonal problems such as you describe via internet these are all important facts to establish in order to minimize useless noise and confusion.

Not knowing anything about your rig your story smells of bad strings to me, like maybe the ones that broke all got changed but the others are still on there, and there may even be mix-and-match string alloys if you bought more than one brand of strings ever. It has been suggested elsewhere on the forum that a complete tuning of the guitar includes checking each string's harmonics at the 7th and 12th frets and if these are not in tune the string is history. Sometimes a brand new string will fail this test as well.

Other contributing factors to your distress could involve the string alignment at the bridge or roller nut, the amp design and/or EQ settings, speaker(s), string gauge, pickup adjustment, right hand position and technique, or maybe just a cheap guitar in general.

As you opened this thread by stating that this problem only arose a few months ago I will assume these latter factors are not relevant to your case but one never knows...if it was me I'd probably change my strings, check the rig over one more time and then tell myself I'm overthinking the issue and go back to working on my chops. But then I'm nobody your momma would want you to follow...

Roger Francis · From: kokomo,Indiana, USA

I've changed strings 3 times in past 3 mo, 2 sets jagwire one cobra coil, same amp for past year MB 500, same pickup 2 years alumitone, same guitar 7 years, Rains with new changer up grade,always been great sounding, same speakers last 9mo. No buzz at rollers, 6th string a20 7th 26, same for past 20 yrs, had hearing test done a week ago but not for this reason, it was a VA thing. maybe a cat scan would be in order Confused

My next step is to bring over a freinds guitar to do some eliminations

Jim Priebe · From: Queensland, Australia - R.I.P.

I have had a similar problem and I put it down to two things: The Alumitone and faulty or passed their prime (individual) strings.
The pickup has such a flat frequency response it picks up not only the good frequencies but the bad ones too - really well - as do the GK MB series amps.
I use Cobra Coils and this usually shows up once the strings are on for some time but after a string change it disappears. The plain strings eg 4,5 & 6 are the worst offenders.
I have tried returning to a conventional pickup (the GFI lll is a humbucker) and the problem is MUCH less evident however on carefull listening with my much (R&R and Tractors) ruined ears, the sound is still there but hardly noticeable. But I don't particularly like the sound that pickup makes so I go back to the Alumitone which I love.
This is in no way a negative criticism of the Alumitone or the strings as it only happens probably every 5 string changes so it's just something to deal with once there is a way to solve it.
I stress that this is in my case and I am not inferring that this is a universal fix but it may be worth a try - I notice you have tried string changes - maybe another brand change is worth a try.
Also it's great for Bobbe's string sales - hey I like the Cobra Coils (the good ones thatis).javascript:emoticon(' Laughing

')
As long as I have been playing both Guitar and Steel I have encountered bad strings at times
and it seems there are "lemons" turning up in all things. What about volume Pots?
Thanks Kieth Hilton - you saved me.
_________________
Priebs GFI ('09)Short-Uni10. GFI ('96)Short-Uni SD11. ('86)JEM U12
www.steelguitardownunder.com

Tony Williamson · From: North Carolina, USA

nobody mentioned this. it seemed to start with the onset of colder weather. my banjo changes IMMENSLEY with the weather.this is prob not it, but...there it is. lol

Tony Williamson · From: North Carolina, USA

you could try adjusting the height of the pickup just a wee bit to compensate. a dull string will sound bassier, less sustain. more thuddy.

Mark Fasbender · Posted 19 Feb 2012 4:30 pm **plain 6**

i never liked the sound of a plain 6th. older the worse they get. just sounds out of tune. as it goes up the neck its worse. just my take. ymmv

Carson Leighton · From: N.B. Canada

Roger,,you could try picking the strings without the amp and see if they sound dead to you compared to the other ones...If you have another bar,,give it a try...Carson

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

It may be preaching to the choir, but unless you are very familiar with steel mechanics and adjustments, and you have a problem with your steel, it's always wise to have another player verify the source of the problem before you attempt fixing it. Many times, players have overlooked the obvious, and then went about tearing down a steel that only needed a minor adjustment.

Roger Francis · From: kokomo,Indiana, USA

Thanks guys for the replies, i cleaned, and polished the rollers with 600 grit sand paper, installed a new PUP and jack (that i had already ordered before i started this thread)but still using the same strings plugged it into the 112 and it sounded great, then hooked up to the MB and speakers everything was fine there, i was so intrigued with the sound of the 112 that i put one of my old 1203-4 speakers in one of my cabnets trying to get that sound or better and it did. The MB500 only excepts 1 4 ohm speaker, now with 1 speaker cabnet with the 1203 and the 112 everything sounds great in the music room. I did notice the problem even when i played it through the 112 before and remembered when i was changing the PUP that i had put some foam under the alumitone a few months back but would'nt think that would matter. Now i might be looking for a couple of older 1203-8 speakers so i can use both cabnets. Thanks Roger

Rich Peterson · From: Moorhead, MN

Putting foam under the Alumitone pickup would have lifted it closer to the strings, and that could cause the problem.

Roger Francis · From: kokomo,Indiana, USA

Thanks Rich, i had enough ajustment to keep it 2 quarters distance but the foam was a white plastic packing type foam, i just used what i had availible at the time, more of an experiment than anything else.

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: