Dead String Sound on my Emmons

Bill Bertinot · From: Burlington Ky

I seem to have a dead 1st string. I have eliminated the possibility of it being the string. The first string seems to have frequency canceling - if that's possible on a steel or what???? All the other strings sustain well. Also the 1st string seems to ring well acoustically but not through the amp. (It is absoloutley not the amp or cable) I've been playing a long time and did not have this problem with any other steels but have with this one.

I have a LeGrande III SD10.

Any ideas?

Andy Sandoval · From: Bakersfield, California, USA

Sounds like the pickup. What kind of pickup is on it?

Bill Bertinot · From: Burlington Ky

Thanks for the suggestion about the pickup however its not the pickup. This is the third pickup - trying out an Emmons 108n, an Alumitone, and finally settling on the Tonealigner. It did the same thing with each pickup.

I must qualify my earlier statement; I earlier stated it rang well acoustically, but on closer examination that is not so. It is doing the same thing regardless.

Thanks for any input!

Ulric Utsi-Åhlin · From: Sweden

A light gauge string in combination w/ excessive
magnetic pull from PU is often the culprit in "the
other camp",electric spanish...this is not,as a
rule,a great problem in the Steel Guitar world,but
it´s good to be aware of it...other than that,it DOES
sound as if some part close to the string is vibrating w/ the same frequency,thus absorbing the
movement.McUtsi

Bill Bertinot · From: Burlington Ky

Interesting idea about the magnetic pull. I don't think that's it though because a few weeks ago I went to a heavier gauge string but no change and it;s been consistent despite the other pickups.

Thanks!

Carson Leighton · From: N.B. Canada

Bill,,check the first string changer finger for side play with the string slackened of course,,also check for a groove worn into the finger made by the string. If there is a groove,,take some fine emery cloth and gently sand it out,,following the contour of the finger..It doesn't take much to affect the vibration of the string........Carson

Bill Bertinot · From: Burlington Ky

Thanks. I'll check the finger and for any groove.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I would also check the nut roller.
If the roller has play, it could be absorbing the vibrations from the string. Hold the roller solid with your finger and then pick the string.

Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

Does it still do it when you put the bar on the string?? if not, might be roller dirt, if it does, id be looking for a polishing on the fingers, are they nice and shiney and groovless??
_________________
A.K.A Chappy.

Bill Bertinot · From: Burlington Ky

Viola! The nut roller was the culprit! Thanks to all the suggestions. It was so simple, right under my nose - I guess I need to clean my glasses.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Bill,
Usually just a drop of oil on the roller shaft by the roller will be enough to tighten it up.

Walter Bowden · From: Wilmington, North Carolina, USA

I think Irv has nailed it. A good Emmons mechanic who's worked on my S10 p/p advised me to put a drop of oil on each roller when you change strings and I haven't had any problems at all.
_________________
Emmons S10, p/p, Nashville 112, Zion 50 tele style guitar, Gibson LP Classic w/Vox AC30, Fender Deluxe De Ville and a Rawdon-Hall classical

Jack Strayhorn · From: Winston-Salem, NC

Check the bridge and nutroller for any flat spots or trash between them and the strings. This is if you have eliminated strings and pickups.

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