The Steel Guitar Forum Store 

Post new topic Pinging harsh overtone on 3rd string
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Pinging harsh overtone on 3rd string
Gerald Shaw

 

From:
Florida, USA
Post  Posted 26 Feb 2012 9:21 am    
Reply with quote

I've got a MUllen RP, a Dunlop bar and play through a L9 Lab series amp. When playing above the 12th fret on the 3rd string, I can hear the pure note, plus a kind of harsh pinging noise along with it. THis happens wheter I pick with the metal fingerpick or the plastic thumb pick. I can get this effect on other strings also - and it's a lot more noticable above the 12th fret- but the overtone doesn't come through the amp. It also seems like dampening behind the bar mitigates the noise. It's more like when you've got a capo on your guitar - the middle strings might buzz until you tighten up the capo.
I changed the 3rd string to see if that would fix it- but it didn't. The Bb note on the 3rd string - 14th fret is especially bad. Was thinking maybe a heavier bar might do the trick, but even with a little heavier left hand on the bar, that note sounds harsh. Any Ideas on how I can fix this?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Chris LeDrew


From:
Canada
Post  Posted 26 Feb 2012 9:32 am    
Reply with quote

Lube the roller nuts on your keyhead.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com
View user's profile Send private message

Jack Stanton


From:
Somewhere in the swamps of Jersey
Post  Posted 26 Feb 2012 12:44 pm    
Reply with quote

...and make sure you changer finger doesn't have a groove worn into it.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Rick Abbott

 

From:
Indiana, USA
Post  Posted 26 Feb 2012 7:00 pm    
Reply with quote

...or that the pickup isn't too close to the strings?
_________________
RICK ABBOTT
Sho~Bud D-10 Professional #7962
Remington T-8, Sehy #112
1975 Peavey Pacer 1963 Gibson Falcon
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 29 Feb 2012 3:31 pm     Tried a different amp?
Reply with quote

Quote:
Was thinking maybe a heavier bar might do the trick, but even with a little heavier left hand on the bar, that note sounds harsh.


Nope, a heavier (i.e. bigger) bar usually causes more of these types of problems, due to the larger radius. First, make sure the amp isn't the cause, as speakers and components do squirrely things with highs. Then to eliminate a changer surface problem, move the string 1/16" off it's normal position on the finger and see if that makes a difference. I've seen dozens of steels that have been ruined by someone trying to resurface the tops of the fingers with sandpaper or emery cloth. Greate even the tiniest flat on there and it will sing like a sitar. Whoa!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Jim Pitman

 

From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
Post  Posted 29 Feb 2012 6:45 pm    
Reply with quote

hmmm...12 fret...your are damping behind the bar I trust?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail


All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  

Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction,
steel guitars & accessories

www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

Please review our Forum Rules and Policies

Steel Guitar Forum LLC
PO Box 237
Mount Horeb, WI 53572 USA


Click Here to Send a Donation

Email admin@steelguitarforum.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for
Band-in-a-Box

by Jim Baron
HTTP