Mettalic pick up sound... need help!

[soupbone]

(Moved to Lutherie and Repair, Feb 19 07, by sumgai)

Hi all,

I have an Eastwood Savannah STD model that's doing something odd, and I don't know where to begin with what the cause might be.

The pickups seem to be producing some type of metallic ringing. When the sound of a given note stops, or if I just "chunk" the strings without fretting anything, I get this sound. I think "metallic ringing" is about as good as I can describe it, unfortunately.

It's a relatively short thing (meaning it only lasts for a second after you mute a chord or chunk the strings), and in the context of my band you don't really notice. However, I definately couldn't have it making that sound for recording, and it's annoying when I play alone.

Anyone have any idea on what might be causing this? I assume it's the pickups of this specific guitar, as my other guitar doesn't make thing noise when run through the same exact configuration of pedals/amp. But, I'm not a tech kind of guy, so I could use some help.

A picture of the guitar model can be seen here:
eastwoodguitars.com/GTRs/savannahSTD/savannahSTD_frm.htm

I'd appreciate any insight you might have.
Thanks,
Gary

[sumgai]

soupy,

Hi, and to the forums!

Since you suspect the pickups, the obvious question is, do you get this 'extra ringing' even when you aren't plugged into an amp?

Semi-hollowbody guitars like yours can resonate astonishingly well, given half a chance. The problem comes when there's a frequency that resonates too well, like you're describing. If it's not the pickups, then bolster the trapeze tailpiece with some cloth for isolation, and see what happens.

Conversely, I can't determine the angle at which the strings break over the bridge saddles, but if it's too shallow, you might get a 'tinny, buzzy' sound. Just something to consider, that's all.

HTH


sumgai

[soupbone]

Thanks for the welcome!

You are spot on! I didn't even think to see if it made the sound without being plugged in, and it does.

I stuck some cloth underneath the tail (but not touching the strings) and it still makes the ringing noise.

Obviously my thread is now in the wrong folder. But, anyone have any ideas on making it stop??

Thanks!
Gary

[sumgai]

Gary,

I can't move this, only a Mod can do that. Hang tight, one will be along shortly, and all will be made well.

Edit:
Well hold on, change of plans..... yes indeed, I can too move this thread!

Moved to Lutherie and Repair, Feb 19 07, by the new Administrator ;D
/edit


Can you take a pic of your ax? Ideally, it would be fully side-on.... I'm looking for the breakover angle of the strings going across the bridge. Barring a photo, how about you take a very close look at it, then go look at new unit at the closest guitar store in your area.

Perhaps the angle on your guitar should be greater - too little pressure can cause all kinds of stranges things. But we won't know until either you do a comparison, or we see an image.

Outside of that, I'm at a loss.


sumgai

[Happyguy]

Perhaps tremolo springs...

[ChrisK]

Check for all things loose, including vibrato springs. If ya don't find anything, check the truss rod and truss rod nut.

[newtoteles]

I actually have a similar situation. I have a standard MIM tele, that on the open 3rd string, i get a metallic buzz sound. I have had a fender tech look at it and change the strings and set the guitar up. He leveled the frets, but I still get the buzzing. That string also oxidizes quickly, the strings are new but the 3rd is already rusting. Any ideas?

[darguitar]

Another trivial suggestion might be to 'chunk' with your right hand (presuming your right handed!!) keep your left hand free, and when you hear the ringing, try dampening the strings behind the bridge with your free hand. If this doesn't stop the ringing, try dampening the strings just behind the nut. At least this will direct you to the problem 'area' or not as the case may be! Failing this, as Sumgai said, these style of instruments can be prone to strange frequency related rattles! Even the pickup springs can be problematic!
Good Luck!

[darguitar]

Oh! Newtoteles, if the metallic buzz sound is only on the open string, the nut slot might need cut, or filled and cut! This is a common problem on Strat/Tele style guitars without a string retainer behind the nut covering the G and D strings. As long as you wipe your strings down after playing and use a reputable brand, the only reason I can think of your G oxidising quickly, is your body chemisrty. Some people can cause strings to oxidise and rust, a whole lot quicker than others. You could try using stainless steel strings. Many companies make 'em including ernie ball. Might Help!!

[bam]

soupbone,
that thing once happened to my Ibanez RG550, a solidbody electric guitar. In my case, the ring comes from the pickups' poles because the potting is loose because they are adjustable-pole type pickups and I adjust them quite often. The perfect solution would be a repot for the pickups, but I managed to fix them "temporarily" by stabilizing the pickups' mounting using pieces of rags stuffed in the pickups' mounting springs. Quite good, actually, and I got a bonus: it's a lot easier to get feedbacks. So.. I postponed the repot. Now it's been 4 years ..

Newtoteles,
fret buzzes came not only from the nut.
check these things out and setup them as proper (The Basic Four+1):
1. neck curvature
2. nut height
3. bridge height & saddle height
4. intonation
5. pickup height
(no. 4 & 5 actually does not contribute to fret buzzing, but consider them as one "package")

For normal ranges, refer to your guitar's manual book/reference card/whatever.
These are good guides.

www.guitarnotes.com/notes/noteget.cgi?basic_guitar_setup
mysite.verizon.net/jazz.guitar/guitarsetup.htm

but as i said before, refer to your guitar's manual book/reference card/whatever first.

[sumgai]

bam's ideas are good, you can't go wrong trying them first.

But in case that doesn't cure the problem, let me go a step further. Check these things after bam's items, they're much less likely to be your problem.

1) The height adjusting screw(s) for a bridge saddle - too loose or sitting on some foreign object;

2) The intonation screws are also suspect, despite those tensioning springs;

3) The bridge plate has come loose from the inertia block;

4) The fulcrum point between the bridge plate and the studs/screws no longer acts smooth, indicating a rough spot;

and finally,

5) I've never seen it myself, but I've heard of the rare cracked saddle - that''ll turn your hair grey before its time!

HTH


sumgai

[popsaka]

so Soupbone, didja fix it? If not, heres my $.02: I keep thinking about the 2 or 3 inches of string between the bridge & trapeze... does the ringing corespond to a matching note there, and is the ringing in fact a single note or? ...and does it decay right away or?
An old trick working w/ autos is taking a piece of tubing and listening while moving around to find where its the loudest.(like a backasswards talkbox! (LOL)) well, good luck!

[andy]

Just a couple of thing not mentioned so far- The bushings around the tuning posts could be loose- if they screw down onto the post then a quick tighten with a spanner could be enough, though some are push-fit, and can be very slightly undersized. In that case, carefully applied paper round the bushing, or a drop of glue should stop any movement which may cause a rattle against the post. If the tuning pegs are tension adjustable, its always worth checking those too.

I know it still sounds a bit crazy, but after 15 years of playing I experienced a string with a loose winding recently too. I ran through every check I could think of and could not isolate the source of the buzz. After deciding it could be nothing but the string, I sheepishly returned to my local music shop and asked if they could replace a string which was dodgy straight from the pack. Despite a few raised eyebrows from the staff, and my own admissions of disbelief a new string was granted, and the problem disappeared! It was a bass string, and I only assume the windings were loose, but I just shows that that sort of thing is possible.

Otherwise, the 'free' sections of string behind the nut and bridge, as mentioned by darguitar above usually seem to be the culprits of this kind of thing- I have recorded a mandolin part with thick wads of (clean) toilet paper stuffed under both sections of string in the past. Might look a bit funny on stage though!