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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Odd String Probelms...

Posted by: GuitarMonkey Jun 25 2009, 03:41 PM

Ok, so here is my problem. When I pick, strike, or pluck my "A" string it does something I've never seen. Instead of it vibrating up and down, it vibrates in and out...towards, and away from the fingerboard. The other strings move up and down as normal, only happens on this string? I am using a Les Paul copy, with a stock stop bar tail piece, and bridge.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jun 26 2009, 02:14 PM

Is there a problem with the sound of the string? Does it buzz when it oscilates towards the frets?

Posted by: sidewas lightning Jun 26 2009, 02:17 PM

thats really weird... never seen em do that before... they'res probably just a problem with the nut or bridge, or the string isn't going through the bridge, nut or tuners right. Maybe just tossing the string and putting in a new one will solve it.

Posted by: Muris Varajic Jun 26 2009, 08:07 PM

Old or ruined string sometimes gets the "wrong" way of oscillation,
and it can be only one string from the set,
doesn't have to be whole set.
How old are your strings?

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jun 26 2009, 09:07 PM

Yes Muris is right, strings will tend to oscillate differently as they get older, since they get stretched and fill with dirt. If they are new and you experience buzzing sounds and sustain problems you should first change the strings, and if the problem is there again and you cannot play like that, take it to guitar tech to inspect it. They usually don't charge for inspection.

Posted by: GuitarMonkey Jun 26 2009, 11:52 PM

I use Ellixar brand strings...3-4 months old. I know that I've had some tuning slippage in the past, wondering if this could be the problem. I have been considering getting a new guitar very,very soon. Maybe this is the last bit of motivation I need. Thanks for all your input.

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Jun 28 2009, 12:35 AM

Maybe its time for change anyway, 3-4 months is a lot even for elixirs. You can also try different brand of strings to see if problem persists.If it does the same with new strings, then you should take the guitar to a tech.

Posted by: Alexiaden93 Jun 29 2009, 03:31 AM

Man, you should record a video of that monster-string ! It could be worth millions ! I have to ask one off-topic question though ... Does it happen that guitarists celebrate their strings' anniversary ?!

Posted by: Ivan Zecic Jul 2 2009, 04:14 PM

I guess the problem might be in the nut, if it's not in the strings. You said you've had some tuning problems as well. You should take it to the guitar tech and you'll probably have to get a new nut.

Posted by: AdamB Jul 3 2009, 09:05 AM

I get weird things happen with elixirs, I use 9-42 nanoweb ones. Once they get to about 3 months old, they start to produce a secondary note that interferes with the note the string is tuned to. It's most noticeable on the high e on the high frets (22nd fret on high e is absolutely horrible). I think it's just where the strings have streched out excessivly and need replacing.

I prefer elixirs though, because 1 set generally lasts me 3 months before I have to replace them, with no problems at all, and they remain feeling smooth all that time and sounding good. If I was using another brand, I'd be replacing them more like every 2 weeks with the ammount of playing I'm doing, so it makes financial sense, at least to me it does.

-Adam

Posted by: Alexiaden93 Jul 5 2009, 08:12 AM

I just bought a new guitar, Fender American Standard Stratocaster, and it had Fender Super Bullets strings from the factory They're incredibly "slippery", which reduces the chance to mess up your fingers sliding and bending, and also let's your slides sound more smooth, as they aren't interrupted by every fret you pass ! I strongly recommend them, and I bought 12 sets of them for the future !