Getting "snap" on the high frets

Scott Hiestand · From: MA, U.S.A

I have been playing for approximately 8 or 9 years now, and one of the areas where I have seen the least improvement is my tone on the higher frets. I am referring here more to single note runs (hence the title of the thread) vs. "chords", although even those are more of a challenge with regard to getting a sweet and even sound than on the lower frets.

For example, a run that starts on string 8 and moves up to 7, 6, etc. Particularly, the wound strings sound slightly dead and "ticky", nothing like the same run played on say fret 5, or 7. I have tried a few things (more direct pick angle of attack, but this flattens the hand which is contrary to what is considered "proper" right hand technique), moving my right hand either back towards the pick-up or closer to the bar, how far my picks extend, etc. I have found no real solutions but have seen enough "mystery players" on Youtube to know good (or at least "better") tone is possible up there.

It does seem to be the nature of the instrument that things get a little more dicey up high, but I have been unsatisfied with this portion of my playing for quite a spell. Any suggestions or ideas?

Scott Swartz · From: St. Louis, MO

Can you be more specific, maybe post a tab of a lick you are talking.

Some tonal change above say the 12th fret is inevitable and happens on all stringed instruments, and the difference between the tone of 8 and 4 at fret 3 will be larger than the difference of 8 and 4 at fret 15.

There are usually multiple places to play any lick, so you answered the question yourself to some extent, simply play it in a different place using higher pitched strings.

The rest of the signal chain can affect this also, pickup, buffer or no buffer, your amp, etc
_________________
Scott Swartz
Steeltronics - Steel Guitar Pickups
www.steeltronics.com

Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

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

What Lee said has a lot of merit. Also, you must learn to pick with force! Most steelers who complain about lackluster sound have a lackluster technique, and they'd benefit from using a little more picking force. A snappily picked string "barks", and a gingerly played string just "mumbles".

You control the sound!

Wimpy input = wimpy output

Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

Donny, all this talk about ginger snaps is making me hungry.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

The amp and it settings is another piece of the puzzle. I once had an amp (early 70's) that after about the 12th fret was awful - and the amp was operating perfectly.

Scott Hiestand · From: MA, U.S.A

- Amp - Nashville 400
- Change strings regularly

I do think picking with some force is part of the equation. That is why more direct pick contact (hand flattening) seems to produce a slightly better sound. I know my first finger is the weak link of my picking hand and I need to get more pop on that downward stroke.

I didn't mean to imply my tone totally goes belly up after fret 12, but I do notice a degradation to some degree and was looking for ways or tips to improve there to even out my tone. Obviously, (as is always the case with this instrument), there are many variables that need to be looked at!

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

Hey, Scott, while technique and attack are the first places to look, it may just be that you have a guitar that has a less-than-stellar response higher on the neck. Over the years I've owned and played many brands and models of brands, and the tone and response above the 12th fret is the single most noticeable variable between them. A guitar that's "dead up thar" can be very uninspiring to play, and likewise, getting onto one that's very lively can be a life-changing experience.

P Gleespen · From: Toledo, OH USA

Yeah, that's the ticket. You clearly need a different guitar. Sell yours back to me. Winking

Seriously though, I'd also say you might want to experiment with different bar pressure along with a stronger picking attack. Hey, they don't call it "attack" for nothin'. Razz

Oh, and another thing:
This may be obvious, but spending more time practicing "up there" is a good idea, plus it'll help with your intonation too! Now, if I could just find my directions to Carnegie Hall...
_________________
Patrick

Scott Hiestand · From: MA, U.S.A

Mark

I wish I could blame it on the guitar, but I have owned 5 guitars (including 2 PP's) over my playing span and at least to some degree, I have noticed this with all of them. But that is not to say there isn't a difference in tone between guitars, there clearly is!!

Pat, you crack me up. As I posted somewhere earlier, if I ever do lose my senses and decide to unload the ZB, you'll be the first to know! (And I think you're right......ultimately there are no shortcuts, gotta just practice more up there I guess).

Bob Cox · From: Buckeye State

Crank that volume up and pic a little harder until you get equalization volume to what you get below 12.
You may have to apply a smidgen more presure on the bar,and remember tighter fretts also means shorter bar movement area.Picture walking across a tight rope ,you are sagging in the middle but it wants to stay straight as you get to the end,so get the bar into the strings a little more,that will help the snap.

Wayne Wallett · From: Shermans Dale, PA USA - R.I.P.

Two things to suggest. (1) have another steel player play your guitar, one that get good tone on his guitar up the neck and see if he/she can pull out a good sound. As suggested above crank the amp volume and a bit more bar pressure help. John Hughey was able to pull that stuff off way up the neck by cranking the amps.
Good Luck,
Wayne

Don Barnhardt · From: North Carolina, USA

You might check the clearance between your strings and pickup. My bass strings (wound) were dead as hell and I lowered my pickup to two quarters clearance and was blown away by the improvement in tone and sustain.

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