[fidodido]

Hello,

I have a problem with my E string (high). The string is very tense, and in order to achieve a clean sound I have to press it really hard. It's almost impossible when I have to press it with my pinky while pressing another string two frets away with my index finger (like in "Stairway" for example).

Can it be because the string is too tense? Maybe I should change the string?

I own a standard acoustic guitar made by a spanish firm: "Admira - Sevilla".

Thanks.

[nealmac]

At what frets do you have to press down hard?

[ninjato]

nylon or stell string?

[fidodido]

From the 6th fret on. Nylon strings.

[nealmac]

Ah I see. I was going to suggest that you lower the height of your nut, by removing it and filing the back of it down, but I was assuming the problem was at the lower end frets.

Sorry. Can't help you.

[zooloo]

Raise the saddle a bit.

If that doesn't work it's truss-rod time and you probably don't want to do that

[caprico]

yea try adjusting the bridge 1st.. but that guitar is warped..

[dadfad]

It's uncommon for nylon strings to be too stiff (in comparison to say steel-string guitars). By having to push very hard do you mean once it's against the fret you then have to push really hard to get it to sound properly, or do you mean it's hard to push right from the time you first touch it? If it needs to be pressed very hard once it's fretted you probably have a neck warp, and pushing it tighter lifts it slightly higher above the frets above it (I'd say worn upper frets but warn frets is extremely rare in a nylon string guitar.). You might try raising the saddle a tiny bit which could compensate a little, if this is what you mean.

If it's hard to push right from the time you first push it then it's hard to say. Possibly you have the wrong string for that string-position and so it's tuned tighter to get it to E.

Does it seem hard with any other fingers? If it's just when you fret with your pinky then it just might be that your pinky hasn't yet developed the strength it needs. That's not uncommon at all. It'll get stronger the more you use it.

And welcome to GTU.

[fidodido]

Thank you for your help, guys.

It's not hard to push the string to the fret, only to push it down enough to get a clean sound. What do you mean raise the saddle? I don't see any way to do it. It's fixed to the bridge. I'm very new to guitar, so I'm not really familiar with all the technical terms, but I think the saddle is the plastic part that the strings lean against, in the end of the guitar. Am I right?

I don't know if it's related, but I have to add that this string is VERY tense, and when I tuned it to sound right, I think it was very close to being torn.

Thanks again.

This post has been edited by fidodido: 04 September 2007 - 09:09 AM

[nealmac]

Is it possible that you may be using a B or a G string instead of an E string? Perhaps you got them mixed up when you were stringing it.

[fidodido]

My guitar was stringged a long time ago, and not by me. When I look closely at the E string it looks a bit similar to the B. The B could be a tiny bit thicker, but I'm not sure. The G is certainly thicker than both. Maybe I should buy a new E string and replace the old one?

[nealmac]

well if the strings are on it a long time, it's not going to do any harm to change them. Try it and see. It should solve your problem. Also, I'd opt to change all 6 strings while you are at it. That way, all 6 strings will sound more in unison with each other. And apart from that, you can be guarenteed that if you only change one, another will snap tomorrow.

And apart from anything, it's better practice.

[fidodido]

Thank you. I'll do that.

[dadfad]

Thank you for your help, guys.

It's not hard to push the string to the fret, only to push it down enough to get a clean sound. What do you mean raise the saddle? I don't see any way to do it. It's fixed to the bridge. I'm very new to guitar, so I'm not really familiar with all the technical terms, but I think the saddle is the plastic part that the strings lean against, in the end of the guitar. Am I right?

I don't know if it's related, but I have to add that this string is VERY tense, and when I tuned it to sound right, I think it was very close to being torn.

Thanks again.

Yes. Generally the saddle will lift out of the bridge slot. You can make a "shim" to put in the slot under the saddle which will raise it up a tiny bit. (The string being a little too close to the higher frets might be the reason you have to hold it so hard to make it sound "right."

A very thin sliver of wood or (probably better yet) a very narrow strip cut from a tin-can top can be used as a shim if you want to try that.


From an old topic...

...Saddle Shimming

Here's an easy way to tell first if shimming can help. (This is only a test so don't worry about tone, etc at this point.) Loosen the "offending" string(s). Take a tiny piece of thin plastic, like from a milk container or plastic bottle. Loosen your string enough to slide a tiny strip under the string(s) at the saddle. Don't let the edge of the plastic extend beyond the edge of the saddle. Tighten the string(s) back to pitch. Try them. If the buzz has stopped, a higher saddle or shimming will probably correct the problem. Here's the copy of the old post...



First, check the fret. Look closely to see if it's lifted slightly. If so,
smooth it down a hair with an emery finger-nail board (unless you want to
remove, replace and re-dress it). If it hasn't, repacing the saddle as
mentioned above would do it (as MIGHT a slight truss-rod adjustment
(depends on why it's happening).

Here's a simpler fix. Take a tin can top
and a pair of sharp scissors or tin-snips. Cut out a strip a little
shorter and a bit narrower (appx 1/8 inch) than your saddle. This will
probably curl up as you cut it. Straighten it out (tap it with a hammer
on a block of wood, etc). Be careful. This is sharp!. Loosen or remove
your strings. Remove the saddle from the bridge. Put the little strip
under it (if it's too wide, don't force it or try to trim it narrower,
just make it over again. Much easier.) Replace the saddle and strings.
They will be about 10/1000 higher. Thin brass works best but most people
don't have that laying around. A tin can won't have a noticeable difference
from brass, but whatever you use, it should be made of metal to best transfer the
vibrations back into the wood properly. Good luck.

----------------------------------

(By the way, most nylon-string guitars don't have a "truss-rod" in the neck as mentioned above so ignore that.)

[zooloo]

Sorry the saddle thing was misleading as you're using a nylon. Fixed bridge is normal.

The changing strings thing is the best advice.

[fidodido]

Yes, I guess I'll change the strings and hope for an improvement.

Thanks.