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Topic: Improving sustain at 12th fret |
Michael Dulin
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 19 Feb 2011 7:20 am |
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| I wonder how many of you like me have trouble with sustain at the 12th fret. Any ideas on improving technique for this issue? Thanks for any input.MD |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 19 Feb 2011 7:26 am
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| A little tremelo helps along with easing down on the foot volume control. |
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Eric Philippsen
From:
Central Florida USA
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Posted 19 Feb 2011 7:34 am
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Technique certainly contributes to the amount of sustain above the 12th. Not everyone has the hands to romp around in and get the most out of Hugheyland. Unfortunately, not all steels do well up there either. Some instruments just can't produce in that zone.
First thing I'd recommend, though, is to change strings. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 19 Feb 2011 8:46 am
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I had a 71 Emmons D-10 PP (yes, black) and I was using a Fender Twin Reverb (AB768 chassis), first with the original two 12" JBL D120F's and later with a 15" JBL K130 speaker. Above about the 12th fret it sounded like crap - both in volume and sustain. Being an amp tech, the Fender Twin was in tip top shape.
I bought a new Peavey Session 500, shortly after they came out, and the "above the 12th fret" problems were gone. I had even response all the way to the end of the fretboard. |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 19 Feb 2011 9:20 am
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If you are talking about getting sustain right at the 12th fret it is tricky because that harmonic resonates real strong and can mute the fundamental out. It can help to hold the bar down firm and relaxed. Also mute behind the bar firmly with you fingers. I sometimes will pick the bar up and use my pinky to play the 12th fret with harmonics when I find myself there or mix things up with an open string or 2.
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Bob |
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Clete Ritta
From:
San Antonio, Texas
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Posted 19 Feb 2011 4:48 pm
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I think Bob hit the bar right on the nose.
I believe the OP was referring to just the 12th fret where the harmonic node is prevalent.
| Michael Dulin wrote: |
| ...sustain at the 12th fret... |
Clete |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 20 Feb 2011 10:38 am
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Another way to skin the cat... If you tune to Eb9, and move everything up one fret, you will not have the 12th-fret problem.
You would then also be able to play all the current open-position notes/chords at the first-fret, with the bar.
I play with groups that play alot of songs in E and A, so this works great for me. |
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Michael Dulin
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 21 Feb 2011 6:36 am improving sustain at the 12th fret
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| Thanks for the response. Yes I was only talking about 12. Not a problem on up. I'll try to improve my technique.MD |
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Olli Haavisto
From:
Jarvenpaa,Finland
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Posted 21 Feb 2011 8:10 am
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Also, not muting or muting only "partially" behind the bar gives a nice open harp-like effect.
Intonation has to be dead-on with this.
Also works at the 5th and 7th frets.
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Olli Haavisto
Finland |
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