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Post by orbital on Sept 12, 2015 20:43:39 GMT
I've now had my MMB almost 4 weeks and it's great. I realise the guitar (and me) are still settling in,and a 'buzzing' I had on the high string has disappeared after some advice on here previously. One thing I've noticed and this has been over at least 2weeks is a 'twangy' 2nd string. Its more noticeable when I'm in open d tuning (which I'm now more inclined to leave it in) and to my ear,the string has a different sound/tone to all the others. It 'twangs' is the best description. Is this just part of the settling in period or could this be something else? I have played about with lightly squeezing the strings behind the nut and bridge but it's still the same. When I occasionally play in standard tuning,it isn't as noticeable so is it to do with tension? Any thoughts/advice gratefully received.
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Post by orbital on Sept 12, 2015 21:04:34 GMT
In addition,could it be that I need to stretch the string? Do resophonic strings/newtones pb need stretching as much as say strings on an acoustic? I've been more hesitant with this on my MMB after snapping a string after a few days. First time I've ever broke a string this way. Orbital.
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Post by gaucho on Sept 12, 2015 21:25:49 GMT
I've had similar issues caused by the nut slot. Try de-tuning, popping the string out of the slot and tuning back up to pitch to see if it still sounds funny with the string not in the slot. If if sounds good this way, try flossing the slot with another string a bit, or shave a little pencil lead (graphite dust) into the slot and see if that helps.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2015 21:37:57 GMT
I was going to suggest graphite too - but be careful, it stains very easily, so mask off the area around it first. It will also permanently discolor the nut. There are probably alternative lubricant-type products out there that don't stain.
Anyway, before you do anything, slap a capo on the guitar. That will tell you if the twang is coming from the nut.
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Post by orbital on Sept 12, 2015 23:11:31 GMT
Thanks Gaucho & Mickeyz, I think it is the nut slot after trying a capo. (I think!) My ears are a bit 'twanged' out though,I'm not sure what I'm hearing now. Will try again in morning and with 'fresh ears' hopefully! Cheers, Orbital
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2015 23:29:54 GMT
Another thing to look at on any resonator or acoustic guitar is the slot on the saddle, especially if, as n amateur, you cut the slot yourself. A twangy or sitar buzz on a string is often due to not properly angling/tapering the slot down towards the tailpiece or bridge pin.
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Post by orbital on Sept 13, 2015 1:15:41 GMT
Hi Fredcapo I will have a better look in daylight. The guitar was set up by resophonic specialists. I'm thinking of maybe getting a NRP biscuit/saddle and having that fitted by them. Cheers! Orbital.
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Post by orbital on Sept 13, 2015 15:40:10 GMT
So I tried flossing and carefully shaved a small amount of graphite dust into the nut slot. To my ears,it still sounds the same... Will probably have to stay as it is at the moment. Considering getting an NRP biscuit/saddle so maybe it can be addressed/corrected when that's fitted. Orbital.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2015 16:48:15 GMT
The (main) reason a coral sitar sounds as it does is that the bridge is curved as the string passes over it, and the vibrating string makes extra contact with the first parts of the curve. I'm guessing that either the saddle or nut slot is a little 'curved', and the slot might need to be angled back to create a sharper ridge for the string to sit on, with no chance the vibrating string making contact with it. TT
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Post by orbital on Sept 13, 2015 19:28:00 GMT
Thanks TT, I think you're probably right regarding the nut/saddle. My inexperienced head tells me its the nut slot. If I pick that string over the cover plate towards the bridge,its much less noticeable. When picking towards the fretboard,the 'twang' is much more noticeable. At this stage,I would feel happier letting someone experienced sort it out. Dave King Acoustics is under an hour away from me. Thanks for your input. Orbital.
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Post by mikenewport on Sept 15, 2015 20:29:58 GMT
Hi Orbital,
Nothing to add to what the people have said above really. However the point about the B string and tension may be part of your problem.
What strings are you using? I find that the B or 2nd string in any set pulls up with less tension than other strings, M/Newtone strings being the least noticeable. This example for D'Addario EJ12 13-56 set reads as follows
1st = 12.44, 2nd = 11.94, 3rd = 15.51, 4th = 15.42, 5th = 14.34, 6th = 12.13
The figures are kg of tension each string exerts when tuned to standard on 25 1/2" scale neck. These figures are sort of meaningless to me because each brands set of strings feels different to me regardless of their level of pull. More to the point is the much lower figures for first and second strings. As you will be aware (as you play in Open D) you will increase this difference when you drop 1st and 2nd to D and A respectively. My experience, and I play almost exclusively in Open D, is that I can feel the 2nd and 6th string 'twanginess' more than any others. Looking at the figures this is obvious I guess as the 4th and 5th strings stay as standard while 1,2 an 6, already the lowest tension, drop a whole tone.
My solution is to bump up the 2nd string gauge, I grin and bear the 6th string twang. I also find that if the set feels good in standard then a heavier 2nd is the only string that needs changing, ie no need to changes the 1st or 6th and the heavier gauge 2nd isn't noticed when playing standard.
Final point is that I put 12-54 on my electric slide guitar, 13-56 on acoustics.I swop the 17 and 13 strings from the acoustic set replaceing the 1st and 2nd on the electric, then I buy 14's and 18' to go on the acoustics. All dependent on your instrument your hands and your style of course, don't try on a parlor!!! I hope you get the point of what I'm trying to say though.
PS I wouldn't recommend pulling at the strings to stretch them, you MUST remember that cone.
Best of luck, Mike
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Post by Michael Messer on Sept 15, 2015 21:33:29 GMT
I have never 'stretched a string in' in my life. I just put them on and play.
I don't believe in all that stuff. It's like clever ways to wrap a string around a tuner post, I just wind them on and have never had a problem.
Shine On Michael
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2015 22:11:47 GMT
Another /test/trick you can try is to take small piece of tin foil, fold it up and wedge it into the slot so the string rests on it -- it might help to reduce the twang.
If it does help, then you can go a step further -- fill the slot with a bit of baking soda and add a drop of super-glue: the chemical reaction creates a very hard substance and will rebuild/fill the slot. (Make sure you mask off everything else of course! And don't breathe the fumes -- they're toxic!)
Both are just temporary fixes, of course. Getting a new nut cut isn't a major operation and doesn't take much time (but requires special nut files).
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Post by orbital on Sept 15, 2015 22:55:43 GMT
Hi Mike, Thanks for your input. I'm using Newtone MM pb .015-.056. Taking the guitar to Dave King next week for a check over. If it isn't the nut slot or saddle,maybe I should try a .018 on 2nd string. Also starting to understand why people have different guitars and keep them in certain tunings. Most of the fingerstyle stuff I've been learning this year has been in standard so has been good to hear that on my MMB,but think I need another guitar,then maybe another!..I haven't really delved into open g yet either... Cheers!
Hi Michael, The person that introduced me to guitar 5yrs ago recommended I always stretch new strings. I took it as standard that everyone did this. Orbital.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2015 10:25:47 GMT
The person that introduced me to guitar 5yrs ago recommended I always stretch new strings. I took it as standard that everyone did this. Orbital. I think pulling up on the string near the bridge helps to seat the ball end against the bridge pin in an acoustic guitar, maybe it started with that. Obviously, this isn't an issue with resonators or electric guitars. Simply tuning the guitar stretches the string anyway.
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