anemic high-E open string with floyd rose

[Snoogles]

i usually tune to standard pitch, but the open high-E string sounds anemic at that pitch
sounds sort of like a sitar string. sort of like its slightly fretting out somewhere
but its not
the string starts sounding fuller when i tune down to D
this happens with different brand strings, but i do run 9-46
maybe its the 9-gauge string coupled with the floating floyd that just causes resonance interference
its hard for me to use 10s cuz i have small hands
it doesn't matter if the locking nut is screwed down or not
its only really noticeable with clean tones. but with a little overdrive though, its hard to tell that it sounds different from other strings

is this a typical experience with floating tremolos?

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: anemic high-E open string with floyd rose

I get it sometimes when there is something loose on the guitar (usually touching or close to the string at some point or other) that can rattle. Those little rattles can be excited by different notes, which is one reason why different frets and tunings can bring them out more than others. A rattle can include a string not putting proper downward pressure on a nut or saddle to keep it quiet. Another thing I've seen is little burs on the bridge saddle or the nut that the string can buzz against, depending on tension, how hard you hit the string, etc.

The best part about all this is that it doesn't always take the form of an overt buzz; it often just sucks the life out of the note and leaves something like what you're describing -- making it hard to troubleshoot because it's often transitory. Frets can do the same thing when they need dressing, only instead of there being buzz against a higher fret that the string should just clear, the string is actually buzzing against the fret you're using. This is a more subtle buzz than you usually get from a string hitting a higher fret.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: anemic high-E open string with floyd rose

It's only the open E? It goes away when you start fretting at the first fret? It sounds like either the nut is too low, and because of the radius the high E string is the one that starts to be low enough to hear the noise against the first fret, OR the lock nut is slightly defective or corroded so you aren't getting a clean fulcrum at the front edge of the nut. The string is making that sitar noise near the front of the nut. A good way to test for this is take a small knife or something small and hard enough to fit inside that nut slot. Press down on the string at the very front edge of the nut to force strong contact there. If the note cleans up, then that part either has to be filed (difficult because lock nuts are hardened) or the nut needs to be replaced.

 

[Snoogles]

Re: anemic high-E open string with floyd rose

it also goes away when i use the tremolo blocking screw, and then drive the claw screws in further into the wood

 

[Snoogles]

Re: anemic high-E open string with floyd rose

It's only the open E? It goes away when you start fretting at the first fret? It sounds like either the nut is too low, and because of the radius the high E string is the one that starts to be low enough to hear the noise against the first fret, OR the lock nut is slightly defective or corroded so you aren't getting a clean fulcrum at the front edge of the nut. The string is making that sitar noise near the front of the nut. A good way to test for this is take a small knife or something small and hard enough to fit inside that nut slot. Press down on the string at the very front edge of the nut to force strong contact there. If the note cleans up, then that part either has to be filed (difficult because lock nuts are hardened) or the nut needs to be replaced.

DING DING DING

WE HAVE A WINNEEAAAH

give that man a seeegaar

 

[Snoogles]

Re: anemic high-E open string with floyd rose

400 grit sand paper on a toothpick to the nut trough (or what ever you want to call the "V" that butts up against the fretboard) seemed to do the trick
rings clear now

 

[RorySquier]

Re: anemic high-E open string with floyd rose

It's a good thing I checked this thread out. I have an '08 Gibson Les Paul Studio where the open G-string sometimes sounds like a sitar. The nut slots are a crucial thing if you want a clear sound. It's good to invest in some nut files which is something I need to get. Even a dental-floss style of file if they have it at the hardware store. I've installed new nuts on some of my guitars and one thing to check is the height of the nut by pressing the string on the 3rd fret. I make sure there is a tiny gap between the string and 1st fret. I usually do this by eye.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: anemic high-E open string with floyd rose

Hold down each string between the third and fourth frets. On its way to the nut, the string should clear both the second and first frets.