[schwieg]

hi,

I recently changed the strings on my acoustic guitar and decided to remove all strings and clean the fretboard before replacing them. I usually change the strings one at a time and now the g,b and e strings do not sound like they are ringing out properly and sound dull. I did not change the gauge of strings or anything and was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to why this would happen. It is very noticable when i play open chords and the bass strings ring out but not the treble ones that well. Hope you have some ideas.

Thanks

[wilson78jr]

Check the strings placement at the pin, bridge, and nut. I've had that happen, (although not 3 strings at once!) and it was caused by improper seating of the pin.

[diebrucke]

I like to stretch my strings out a bit by hand to take out the slack while I'm tuning them up - this helps them stay in tune, otherewise they keep slipping out of tune for a day or two. Only other thing that comes to mind is if the previous strings were old they may have had a more increased tension on the neck than the ones you've got on now. Taking the old ones off may have caused the neck to move back a little because there's less tension on the neck (as well as the top of the guitar) - but you'd most like get rattling of the strings against the frets when this happens. Guitars do strange things sometimes - maybe it's a change in the weather causing it, this happens.I'm still as puzzled as you are.

This post has been edited by diebrucke: 27 May 2005 - 02:01 AM

[billy16]

They could just possibly be bad strings. I've gotten a few like that before. Aside from bad strings, humidity could play a role in that by warping something.

[schwieg]

The only thing i can think of is that the saddle has grooves in it from the treble strings digging in. Maybe this is preventing them from vibrating properly? Any other suggestions are welcome.

[spacecrumbs]

Weird I ussually get the opposite. I would say you either got a bad set or something is absorbing the vibrations. You could try replacing those strings and making sure everything is screwed down so to speak but if that doesn't work it sounds like you'll have to take it to your local shop to have a look.

[BaasLian]

The only thing i can think of is that the saddle has grooves in it from the treble strings digging in. Maybe this is preventing them from vibrating properly? Any other suggestions are welcome.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is most likely the problem, but you never know!

Replacing a saddle is not expensive at all. I got a Taylor "graphtech" one almost a year ago & it's doing just fine. Probably cost around $10 at the time...

[SmoothD]

A friend of mine showed me a trick when restringing. He rubs the graphite from a pencil into the grooves of the saddle and the nut. He said that it helps the strings to glide through those places and saves wear and tear. I'm not sure if this will help your problem, I think the guys are right about it being bad strings or poor seating at the pins. I just thought that I'd pass on my friends' idea for future reference!

Good luck,

D

[schwieg]

thanks for the responses

I think I`m just going to replace the strings and if the same thing happens I`ll probably replace the saddle (which probably should be done anyway).

[imme]

A friend of mine showed me a trick when restringing. He rubs the graphite from a pencil into the grooves of the saddle and the nut. He said that it helps the strings to glide through those places and saves wear and tear. I'm not sure if this will help your problem, I think the guys are right about it being bad strings or poor seating at the pins. I just thought that I'd pass on my friends' idea for future reference!

Good luck,

D

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Does anyone else do this? I never heard of it.

[narad1986]

^^^ I've always said I would try it .. but I never do .

[spacecrumbs]

I do that whenever I change strings.

[SmoothD]

I do that whenever I change strings.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Then you are wise beyond your years spacecrumbswon!

This post has been edited by SmoothD: 28 May 2005 - 08:08 PM