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Topic: Overtones,,or Harmonics on Carters |
Sonny Jenkins
From:
Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx
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Posted 19 Jan 2014 1:25 pm |
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Just became the proud owner of a Carter S12,,,I owned a couple of Carters 20-25 years ago,,,as well as several other keyed guitars,,,never really noticed this problem on those. On this one I keep hearing a bell-like,,,or harmonic tones,,,especially at the 12th and 7th frets. As most forum friends know, I've been playing keyless guitars (Klines, BMI, Williams etc) exclusively for 20+ years. I'm wondering if these overtones that are bugging me are a result of the extra string length behind the nut that I'm just not used to?,,,,plus,,,,when I twist that tuner button I can't seem to stop at the right place,,,,LOL!!! (There is a strong possibility that this Carter will be reincarnated as "Keyless",,,,LOL)
Last edited by Sonny Jenkins on 20 Jan 2014 11:43 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 19 Jan 2014 4:20 pm
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Hi Sonny,
I have seen some guys weave a rubber O-ring through the strings to dampen that vibration.
You hook one end on the string-1 tuner, and the other end on the string-12 tuner.
Measure the distance. They should have them at the hardware store. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 19 Jan 2014 7:25 pm
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| and of course a tiny bit-0-lube on the offending rollers and try rotating the roller positions. |
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Sonny Jenkins
From:
Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx
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Posted 20 Jan 2014 7:05 am
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| Hey Pete,,,,how's the Kline working out??? Thanks for the input,,,,not sure anyone that hasn't experienced the advantages of keyless are even aware of what I'm talking about. I'm sure if I keep this guitar it will become keyless,,,,LOL. |
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Sonny Jenkins
From:
Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx
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Posted 20 Jan 2014 11:43 am
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| Any Carter players experience these issues???? |
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Tucker Jackson
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 21 Jan 2014 10:24 am
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Sonny, I'm sure you know this, but the 7th and 12th frets are the one-third and halfway points of the string's length where harmonics naturally occur.
On a Carter and every other steel I've played, if you don't keep your trailing fingers down on the strings to dampen behind the bar you'll hear an odd sound sort of like a chorus pedal when at those 'harmonic frets'. The tone is being produced from both sides of the bar so it needs to be dampened on the left side. The more resonate the guitar the louder the effect.
Of course, you've been playing for decades so surely you know all this -- but covering all bases here. I've never played a keyless guitar so please educate me: are you saying that you don't have to keep your trailing fingers down at the 12th fret on a keyless guitar at all? Or are we really talking about something else, like overtones you're getting even with strings finger-dampened behind the bar? |
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Will Cowell
From:
Cambridgeshire, UK
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Posted 21 Jan 2014 1:25 pm
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I am a devotee of the keyless system also, so many advantages. But my Williams is just as lively at 7,12 and even 19 as that Carter. You just have to be sure and keep those left hand fingers down to quench the string vibration behind the bar.
Will
_________________
Williams 700 series keyless U12,
Sierra keyless U14, Eezzee-Slide & BJS bars
Moth-eaten old Marshall 150 combo
Roland Cube 80XL, Peterson Strobo+HD,
EarthQuaker Despatch Master for reverb / delay |
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Sonny Jenkins
From:
Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx
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Posted 21 Jan 2014 2:16 pm
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| Well,,,I have to admit the possibility of becoming more lax at trailing the fingers,,,with enough pressure to be effective anyway,,,but still these harmonic frets (yes, I was aware of them,,,) are soooooo much more,,,more!!! I've never been an expert at harmonics,,,but with this guitar,,,it's a snap!!! Almost like this neck is hollow,,,ringing like a bell. My keyless guitars,,especially Kline,,,,does what I call,,,"singing",,,but it is the same up and down the neck. This sound would be a good thing,,,except for the distinct difference in sound when you move to a different fret. The pick up is a single coil Tru-tone,,no idea the ohms,,,,may have some bearing. Keep the opinions coming,,,I'll keep looking,,,,probably change string and do some maintenance on nut rollers etc. |
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Tucker Jackson
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 21 Jan 2014 2:34 pm
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Yes, the neck is hollow. I think all metal necks are.
It sounds like your Carter is maybe just a little more resonate than other ax's you've had? I have the same experience with mine. If I get lax at putting the trailing fingers down on the strings the guitar really sings at those harmonic frets. And yes, it's really different than the adjacent frets so I have to be diligent about controlling it.
On the other hand, we can use the resonance to good effect when playing above the 12th fret. I frequently pick up those fingers to get a little more sustain. Just can't do that at, say, the 19th fret (another harmonic spot). |
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Jacek Jakubek
From:
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 21 Jan 2014 6:13 pm
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Yes, the same thing happens on my Carter SD-12, especially on string 6 and 7.
The best way I found to solve this problem is to get a piece of cloth, soft flannel-like material about 6"x12", and tuck it in under the strings in the keyhead so that the cloth touches all the strings from underneath. This will damp the strings and remove the overtones.
Get a piece of cloth the same color as your guitar and it won't be noticeable. |
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