Strange problem with Hi-E String - Guitars101

ScottA · 08-07-2005, 02:43 PM

Hi gang,

I have an odd problem with my JS100 series guitar.
When I bought it I was very pleased with how clean the Hi-E string sounded way up close to the pick-ups. But one day after changing the strings. The sound went bad.

What happens is it sounds good until I get to the last four frets towards the pick-ups. Then it sounds like the string is hitting something and the sound is really bad. I checked and the strings never touch the other frets. And even if I raise the action. The problem is still there.
And it's only on the Hi-E string. The other strings are still nice and clear sounding all the way to the end of the neck.

The bridge seems to be set up like the instructions say.
It's really strange.
I've tried new strings but it's still there.

Anyone have any ideas I could try?

Edenbridge · 08-07-2005, 05:13 PM

Thats prob cause the pickups are too close to the strings.......Lower both Neck and Bridge pickups alittle, so that the string clears on the last fret. Thats prob ur problem.

ScottA · 08-07-2005, 08:03 PM

They were already basically bottomed out. But I was able to lower them a tiny bit more. It did seem to help a tiny little bit. So as an experiment I tried raising the action by raising the Floyd bridge height and testing as I brought it higher and higher.
It did seem to get a little more clearer. But the strings were really high and it wouldn't be playable that way.

When I bought it new (which was many years ago) the factory setup was crystal clear and the strings were very close to the finger board. I'm just mystified what happened. It's actually been like this for many years but I have only recently taken the time to try and figure out why it's doing this.

I'm using a .009 D'addario E string. Are there any known issues with these strings?

Mike5150 · 08-07-2005, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottA

I'm using a .009 D'addario E string. Are there any known issues with these strings?

I've been using D'addario for years and I've never had a problem with them.

**nroberts** · 08-07-2005, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottA

They were already basically bottomed out. But I was able to lower them a tiny bit more. It did seem to help a tiny little bit. So as an experiment I tried raising the action by raising the Floyd bridge height and testing as I brought it higher and higher.
It did seem to get a little more clearer. But the strings were really high and it wouldn't be playable that way.

When I bought it new (which was many years ago) the factory setup was crystal clear and the strings were very close to the finger board. I'm just mystified what happened. It's actually been like this for many years but I have only recently taken the time to try and figure out why it's doing this.

I'm using a .009 D'addario E string. Are there any known issues with these strings?

It kind of sounds like you have messed with this thing too much to try and figure it out and haven't been able to probably compounding the problem. You shouldn't need to set your action super high. I think it is time to take it to the doctor instead of trying to guess yourself or have people here do it who can't see the guitar and check things out and say what is wrong; just too many variables. If you are lucky you can stand around and watch and learn.

ScottA · 08-08-2005, 05:56 AM

^ Yeah. I guess I'll have to take it someplace.

I do remember that when I used to change strings one at a time. The E string sounded good. But the first time I changed all of the strings at the same time. I didn't know what I was doing and I fooled around with everything to get the Floyd bridge to sit at the proper angle.
Those bridges are a real pain in the arse.

But since then I've read a bunch of things on setting up a floyd. And according to everyting I've read. It's set up properly.
It plays nice except for those last four frets on the HI-E.

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

DannyBoy · 08-08-2005, 07:21 AM

perhaps the neck has warped a tad . just take it to a guitar store and ask someone to check it out for you . always best to have a pro fix your woe .

phil28uk · 08-08-2005, 07:35 AM

perhaps it's the actual frets. Ibanez are bitches for that. I bought a brand new RG1570 prestige and the neck is like shit on it. I had to file a couple of frets a little but the neck still needs looking at when i can be bothered.

VB · 08-08-2005, 08:37 AM

Ever consider the fact that since you had just changed strings the new strings were bad?????? It happens. String go dead just laying in a package and you have no idea when they were made vs when they were sold. Strings can be defective just like anything else.

ScottA · 08-09-2005, 06:44 AM

Since I've been playing it for several years this way. I could be chasing a separate problem.
I only recently learned how to set up the Floyd when re-stringing.
Since the guitar is old and has a lot of hours on it. It could very well need new frets. They have all kinds of dimples in them.

It's possible the neck is warped too.
How do they check that?

DannyBoy · 08-09-2005, 01:52 PM

generally to check neck warping you can just look down it and see how straight it looks ... also ... hold down the 6th string on the 21st or 22nd or 24th fret (depending how many frets you have , go to the highest one) ... then look up n down the neck and see if there are any gaps or any places where theres actually no gap at all .

your neck should be ------------------------- . nice and straight

if its warped it will have a bit of a dip in the middle or it will have a bit of a bump in the middle . you should be able to see it with your naked eye ... and its an easy fix you can do yourself . but take it to a pro if you are just not sure

for any further help on any of the stuff mentioned i surgest you type some of it into a search engine im sure theres loads of stuff that might help you right here on the net .

good luck

Edenbridge · 08-09-2005, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannyboy

generally to check neck warping you can just look down it and see how straight it looks ... also ... hold down the 6th string on the 21st or 22nd or 24th fret (depending how many frets you have , go to the highest one) ... then look up n down the neck and see if there are any gaps or any places where theres actually no gap at all .

your neck should be ------------------------- . nice and straight

if its warped it will have a bit of a dip in the middle or it will have a bit of a bump in the middle . you should be able to see it with your naked eye ... and its an easy fix you can do yourself . but take it to a pro if you are just not sure

for any further help on any of the stuff mentioned i surgest you type some of it into a search engine im sure theres loads of stuff that might help you right here on the net .

good luck

Good point Danny.....Ur neck could have alittle warping Scott

ScottA · 08-09-2005, 03:00 PM

Hmm. Well it seems to look straight.
One thing that's worth mentioning. The sound gets proggressively worse right up to the very last fret. That kinda leads me to think it's not a neck problem.

I can hear it vibrate poorly when it's unplugged while holding down the last fret. The only thing between the last fret and the bridge is my pick-ups. And they are about 1/4" away from the string. That should be low enough.
It's also effected by string tension. The higher the tension. The worse it sounds. Almost like the string is vibrating inside the bridge. But I can't see anywhere it could do that.

I'm gonna buy a .010" E string and see if it helps. I prefer light strings. But the string might be hyper vibrating in some way because it's too thin.

Thanks for the ideas guys.

DannyBoy · 08-09-2005, 03:06 PM

try that yeah . you can always tune some 10's to Eb or D standard to make em a lil easier .

... maybe those last few frets just need sorting out ?

Edenbridge · 08-09-2005, 05:01 PM

dude just do this.......if you cant figure it out by urself with Logic.....take it to a damn guitar shop.

again if you cant logically fix it, take it to a guitar store.