man, WTF? my ES-125 sounds like a banjo

[beandip]

I just noticed this recently. It has the original rw bridge, and org. nut. I'm thinking about changing it to bone, but still. no matter what im getting this plinky slightly banjo like sound. very thin. anyone got any help on this? :******:

[Gearjoneser]

Re: man, WTF? my ES-125 sounds like a banjo

Raise the action to the point where there's very little buzz. Put a man size string on it,
like 11's, or at least 10's. Decide whether or not the guitar is really "you."
If so, put Duncans in. If not, sell it. There's a seat for every ass. LOL

[beandip]

Re: man, WTF? my ES-125 sounds like a banjo

the action is high, and man sized strings? you have no idea (15's big enough? I use this guitar for alot of open D and like the tension of 13's). I dont really wanna put duncans in it (its a '52) and cant sell it (it was a gift). I'm in the process of refreting it (only gibson I've ever seen w/ skinny small frets). do you think that'll help?

[Pandemonium]

Re: man, WTF? my ES-125 sounds like a banjo

No.

[proxy]

Re: man, WTF? my ES-125 sounds like a banjo

15's? You might as well use bass stings. Wow.

If anything rattling? Strings old? Strings buzzing? Wish I could give you an answer.

[JOLLY]

Re: man, WTF? my ES-125 sounds like a banjo

you have a Gibson that guitar that sounds like a banjo? show us a pic!! Something's awry

[StefanM]

Re: man, WTF? my ES-125 sounds like a banjo

Are you sure your pickups aren't out of phase, either with each other or within themselves?

[StrangeDay]

Re: man, WTF? my ES-125 sounds like a banjo

Was it plugged in?

[Norman_T]

Re: man, WTF? my ES-125 sounds like a banjo

the action is high, and man sized strings? you have no idea (15's big enough? I use this guitar for alot of open D and like the tension of 13's). I dont really wanna put duncans in it (its a '52) and cant sell it (it was a gift). I'm in the process of refreting it (only gibson I've ever seen w/ skinny small frets). do you think that'll help?

Go for medium jumbo or jumbo frets instead of skinny frets as this will give you a better sound and will stop "choking". If you can get a good bone or graphite nut put in that would be a help. As far as strings go if you are using 15's then I don't know why you are having these problems as it should not sound like a banjo even unplugged. My guess is that you may be using the wrong type of strings and perhaps you should consider getting some jazz strings (heavy flatwounds?.

[Pandemonium]

Re: man, WTF? my ES-125 sounds like a banjo

Are you sure your pickups aren't out of phase, either with each other or within themselves?

There's your most likely culprit.

[Ez74]

Re: man, WTF? my ES-125 sounds like a banjo

you say you are in the process of refretting it... maybe that has something to do with it.

[54stratlover]

Re: man, WTF? my ES-125 sounds like a banjo

Is this the old sunburst archtop guitar with f-holes and 1 or 2 p-90's that you are talking about? If so I just sold one not to long ago. they do have a "interesting" tone/timbre. It is similar to the old Charlie Christians guitar. I think the guitar lends itself to slide playing. that is what i used it for. I think I understand the sound you are explaining. i think that is just how they sound. Mine had a good tone when plugged into a tube amp. Not sure what to tell you. Use 11s or 12s for strings.

[beandip]

Re: man, WTF? my ES-125 sounds like a banjo

I got some bigger frets and that helped alot. I refreted all but the last four frets, since I cant and dont play up there. I do mostly use it for slide, but when I tune to standard down a step to play some good ol' fingerstyle, it has a strange sound. Plugged in you cant really tell, but the sustain dies off fast unplugged and has a fairly "light" tone. and like '54Strat said, its only one P-90 pup, vol and tone. 2 f-holes, ect.

[Jonny R]

Re: man, WTF? my ES-125 sounds like a banjo

Err...I have a banjo going if you wanna work out a deal :fing25:

[59paul]

Re: man, WTF? my ES-125 sounds like a banjo

If that guitar sounds like a Greg Deering Limited.....I'll take it !!! LOL