Pinch Harmonics Options

[Bossie]

Hello

I play on an Ibanez prestige...and vox valvetronix ADVT 100 with amp modeling.
I have trouble with pinching ...even with heavy gain, lots of treble i can't get a
pinch sound out of the top 3 strings (lowest in tone). On the higher strings it is a little bit better.

Wonder why??

Greetz

Bossie

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[ZakkWylde]

You could try some higher output pickups (helps a little) but it should be very possible to get a great pinch harmonic sound from your setup like it is now!

Usually it is easier to get the pinch harmonics on the lower strings (the thicker the string the louder the harmonic) so it is most likely your technique that is wrong. Try more or less picking attack, more vibrato with your left hand and try diffrent spots on the string where to get the pinch harmonic...

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[thefireball]

I recommend this Pinch Harmonics lesson by Trond Vold. The lesson utilizes the pinches on higher strings. It also helps with arpeggios. I love playing it.

Another great one is Pinched Harmonics Full Etude! by Lian Gerbino. It utilizes low pinches.

Hope these help.

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This post has been edited by thefireball: Sep 23 2010, 02:34 AM

[Gitarrero]

Practice, practice, practice!
Yes, it usually is much easier on the lower strings. I had trouble doing it at first, but once you know how it's done, it comes pretty naturally. You could also change the way you hold your pick so that you hold it more like Paul Gilbert does. I tried that recently and it made creating pinch harmonics a bit easier.
Just keep trying, you'll get there soon.

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[Azzaboi]

Pinch Harmonic Tips

1) Set heavy gain and distortion.
2) Select 'bridge pickup' on the guitar's pickup selector.
3) Use a thick pointed pick clamped between the thumb and index finger hooked around.
4) Edge up on the pick so only the tip is sticking out.
5) Play with the pick vertical (almost perpendicular) to the strings to get a sharp edge of attack.
6) Play as normal, then when you want to throw in a pinch harmonic it's just a slight twist of the thumb edge.
7) The location of where your picking makes a difference, just behind the neck pickup (high) or in front of the bridge pickup (low).
8) The pick will struck the note followed quickly by just grazing the edge of the thumb.
9) Don't deaden the note! As soon as it sounds lift slightly away.
10) Experment on the picking location to find the best 'sweet' spots on your guitar.

Note: When the note played location changes so will the picking hand's harmonic sweet spot - i.e. playing 5th note compared to 12th on the same string move the picking hand location according. This will take time to work out and is slightly different per guitar. Ensure your guitar is harmonical tune or it will be more difficult. I've noticed there are two pinch harmonic 'sweet spots' per note, one is high squeeling and the other is a low harmonic smoother sound (see number 7), inbetween those doesn't sound as loud or good quality. You can pinch harmonic all the way up the neck (with the picking hand) if you really wanted to (yes even on the fretboard), but you can never go back behind the last pickup selected (in this case the bridge) it will become a dead harmonic.

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This post has been edited by Azzaboi: Sep 23 2010, 10:56 AM

[Todd Simpson]

Well said guys! All really good tips. Do make sure to have enough gain, e.g. wads wads of it. Be sure to choke up on the pick as the guys have said, and get just a bit of thumb on the string as you do your pinch. The pick strike, followed by the mute caused by the thumb is what yields that special sound we call "Pinch Harmonics".
Above all. Practice!

Todd

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[Bossie]

Thanks guys .....lots of usefull tips to start with!!

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