Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

[BlueFrankie]

Appreciate the advice. I'd love to get this solved. I hear a louder than usual overtone/harmonic on the B string. It sometimes clashes with other harmonics. When plucking the B string alone it has an irritating metalic kind of ring to it. It's not fret buzz, it's not a sitar sound. It does it on open and fretted notes. I have damped behind the nut, no difference. The saddles are brand new. I've checked for uneven set screws on the saddles. I have been through all the regular advice, nothing. WHAT IS GOING ON!!! I don't hear this acoustically, just when plugged into my amp. Maybe it's the amp??? Here's my gear:

Washburn WI66V Pro
Bridge: Hardtail Strat Style by Gotoh, Brass Chrome plated saddles and plate.
Bone Nut, freshly cut by my luthier
Strings: Daddario 11's
Just had a set up, it's not buzz or neck relief, and my action is fairly high (I like it that way)

Thanks in advance guys

 

[BlueFrankie]

Re: Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

Update: I can hear it acoustically if I put my hear super close to the strings. Can't tell if it's louder near the nut or bridge.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

Sounds like your string is vibrating something else on the guitar. Saddles are one source of issue commonly associated with this. Then it could be things like a trussrod, loose hardware etc etc.

 

[Jacew]

Re: Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

Well, nut would be the obvious cause, so I guess it's not that?

I once had old strings where g-string started to have that kind of overtone ringing. Fixed by just changing fresh strings.

 

[BlueFrankie]

Re: Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

Can the trussrod be a problem in some way other than not enough neck relief? Like actually vibrating?

@Jacew: I wouldn't think it was the nut since it does it on all fretted strings as well. This tech is very good too, I doubt it's a poor angle on the nut.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

I have a $50 cheap Chinese counterfeit guitar, and the truss rod absolutely creates that issue.

Maybe you have a bad fret job or incorrect action.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

Maybe a loose truss rod or a loose fret that could be vibrating sypathetically?

 

[BlueFrankie]

Re: Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

Wow. Okay, these are some pretty interesting ideas. I had bummed around other forums on this question all with the same old stock answers. In five minutes here you guys have already identified several unique possibilities. This is great thank you. I will explore: trussrod, loose fret

 

[AlexR]

Re: Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

I guess you have to be a bit creative about looking at every possible thing that can be loose.
For example......saddles often have 2 height adjust screws. If one of them is not fully bottoming out on the bridge plate then this too can be a vibration source. Plus the actual snugness of the bridge mounting screws on the body. Carved tops can be a nightmare mixed with flat plated bridges.

Going back to the nut.....it would be foolish to ignore it as a possibility, but the mechanism for such case to be an issue is via the vibration of the neck as a whole, not the individual string.

 

[BlueFrankie]

Re: Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

I guess you have to be a bit creative about looking at every possible thing that can be loose.
For example......saddles often have 2 height adjust screws. If one of them is not fully bottoming out on the bridge plate then this too can be a vibration source. Plus the actual snugness of the bridge mounting screws on the body. Carved tops can be a nightmare mixed with flat plated bridges.

Going back to the nut.....it would be foolish to ignore it as a possibility, but the mechanism for such case to be an issue is via the vibration of the neck as a whole, not the individual string.

I've ruled out saddle set screws already. The bridge plate is mounted on a totally flat section. How would I test for the neck vibration issue?

 

[AlexR]

Re: Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

Maybe clamping the nut (carefully) to the neck blank so it is firmly in place. Also visually examine it to see it is well seated and no gaps anywhere.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

I.would raise the action a bit and see if it's a fret

A picture of the headstock with the nut kinda off center so we can see the angles of stuff might belp

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

If you can't identify it there, don't be afraid to try a new string! sometimes a small kink or whatnot can cause buzz issues.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

Place your hand gently on the bridge and see if you sense any unusual vibration while plucking B (which does not happen on the rest of strings).

 

[Wattage]

Re: Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

Can the trussrod be a problem in some way other than not enough neck relief? Like actually vibrating?

Yes, make sure there is at least some minimal tension on it

 

[BlueFrankie]

Re: Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm still working through the troubleshooting. Will be back with results soon. At the moment I'm writing finals and very busy.

 

[BlueFrankie]

Re: Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

Update: I have ruled out the truss rod. I marked the starting position and tried incrementally tightening till about 1/4 turn. Then reversed direction going 1/4 turn past starting position. Neither direction helped. It's back to where it started. It didn't feel loose at all, but I'm not sure what it's supposed to feel like either.

I'm going to change strings tonight and go all through it checking for loose screws/tuners/bridge plate/frets etc. Will update you all then.

 

[orpheo]

Re: Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

the string can vibrate inside the saddle, the spring holding the saddle can buzz too. those are the most likely culprits from my experience as a tech and luthier.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

Maybe your pickups are too close to the strings? That's what it sounds like to me.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Loud overtones harsh overringing harmonics - HELP

If they were too close the magnetic field would dampen the string