relics
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Post by relics on Oct 16, 2008 22:57:58 GMT -5
Every time I go on distortion, on the higher strings, on the higher frets, my pickups register the percussive pick - to- string sound. It's annoying. What are some causes to this?
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Post by D2o on Oct 17, 2008 15:17:38 GMT -5
Every time I go on distortion, on the higher strings, on the higher frets, my pickups register the percussive pick - to- string sound. It's annoying. What are some causes to this? Hi relics, and WELCOME to GN2! ( ... relic was a charactor from a 70's show called The Beachcombers ... )I notice something* like this sometimes when I am using distortion, particularly when using the bridge pickup. * it doesn't annoy me, so it's likely not the same thing. It diminishes when the volume is lowered just a tad, and also when the tone is rolled back (or some combination). Do you have more than one pickup? If so, have you noticed the same condition with all pickups? How much distance do you have between the strings and the pickup? Do you have the treble strings much closer to the pickup than the bass strings are? It could even be the amp or pedal. When you say "go on" distortion, what do you mean? A solid state amp with an overdrive / distortion button? Or a distortion pedal? Something else? Let us know a little more and we may have some more guesses. D2o
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Post by andy on Oct 17, 2008 18:41:06 GMT -5
Hmmm, well, distorted sounds can often sound that way! I often find the pick noise to be the biggest put-off when using distorted sounds. This is accentuated by using single coils, so if you are using them then that will be part of it. One way to reduce it in that case is to use a compressor pre-distortion. It will smooth the larger pick 'attack' part of the signal if set correctly, and balance the tail of the note with it to give a less 'peaky' sound.
It sounds as though you are talking about a bit more of an extreme example though, however, mentioning the higher strings gives a bit of a clue. One thing I have spotted (particularly on my SG with 3 pickups lined up under the strings) is that when playing the higher strings, my plectrum can tap on the face of the pickup, which is amplified as signal, and with lots of distortion becomes more obvious. With the sound of the string too, it blends in and seems to be part of the note, but of course on the higher frets there is more sonic difference between the actual note and the amlified 'tap', so it is even more noticeable. Worth a look, and easily sorted with awareness and a slight adjustment to technique.
Also a possibility- if you play quietly, the sound of the guitar itself and the clean sound of the amp will blend nicely. The sound of a quiet, distorted amp and and the guitar itself will not blend well, and give the distortion a 'plinky' element, again, although slightly, more noticeable on higher strings, as as low volume the higher frets/strings have less power to them. Many a Youtube tone-review video is rendered useless by this, and once you have become aware of the odd timbre it gives, you can actually tell on some records when the guitarist was sat in the room by the amp!
As D20 says though, anwering his questions and filling us in on what you are using and doing with it may bring up some other suggestions.
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relics
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Post by relics on Oct 17, 2008 20:56:22 GMT -5
I have a Les Paul style guitar. Humbuckers into a Vox Pathfinder 15r. I went straight to amp distortion, a MXR Distortion III, and a EHX Big Muff at different times.
It happens on both Bridge and Neck pickup. I lowered them after it became apparent, but the percussive sounds still are apparent.
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Post by D2o on Oct 20, 2008 12:45:53 GMT -5
I don't know, relics ... it's sounding like a bit of a crap shoot. All we can do is ask you a bunch of stuff until we narrow it down to a specific cause, and then try to address that cause. I have a Les Paul style guitar. Humbuckers into a Vox Pathfinder 15r. Has this condition always existed and it's just now starting to bother you? Have you modified your guitar or amp in any way? If so, how - and has the condition started or become worse since doing so? Have you dropped your guitar and then noticed the condition? Have you had the same issue with any other guitar on your amp? Have you had the same issue with your guitar on any other amp? Have you tried to repeat the condition with the exact same layout - but in another room, using another electrical outlet? Have you tried to repeat the condition using the exact same layout - but using a different patch cord? So the condition seems to be common to either the amp or guitar, and possibly the patch cord, room and electrical outlet - i.e. it doesn't get any worse depending on which distortion you use ... right? How, exactly, did it become apparent? Do you think it was sudden, or gradual and you suddenly noticed it? Any notable events with any of your equipment or your environment that coincide with the condition? e.g.: - dropped your guitar, - re-wired your guitar, - new strings, - renovations at your house - changed the room you play in - added an electrical device such as a power tap or extension cord - anything else that may seem innocuous but could lead to the condition? That's all the poop I've got for now. I just don't know ... it really is going to be a crap shoot. Keep trying to isolate things and report back to us until we stumble upon it ... or you may just stumble upon it. Good luck. D2o
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Post by ashcatlt on Oct 20, 2008 15:29:42 GMT -5
Which part of the pick attack is annoying you? Is it (I suspect) the low frequency thump, or the high frequency clack/squeak/whatever?
Do other guitarists have the same problem when playing your guitar through your amp?
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BigBob1962
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Post by BigBob1962 on May 6, 2011 19:09:05 GMT -5
Hi, Here is another thing to look at... on some of my guitars I have a similar issue when I forget, and rest the heel of my picking hand on the strings... as I pick the higher strings, I push down on the lower strings and they POP on the pickups in sync with my picking... It doesn't happen on the lower strings because I shift my hand slightly... Hope this helps, BigBob
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