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Topic: "Plunky" sound at 12th marker, 3rd & 4th string, C6th |
Gregory Streeter
From:
New York, USA
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Posted 8 Dec 2019 12:14 pm |
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Absolute lap steel beginner (but experienced guitar player) here. I have a Morrell Pro 6 string in C6th. GHS strings: DY36-DY30-026-022-017-015.
I can get a fairly good sustaining tone pretty much all over the instrument except around the 12th marker on the G (026) and the A (022).
There, the notes just kind of choke out with out any real sustain or ringing sound. I've experimented with all sorts of bar and muting pressure to no avail.
This doesn't happen to me with an old Supro in E tuning by the way, which leads me to think this it might be a bridge and not a technique issue.
If it's technique, I'm certainly willing to keep soldiering on, but I wondered if you more experienced players have any thoughts.
Thanks,
Greg |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 8 Dec 2019 2:31 pm
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| Let me preface my comment by saying I'm totally unfamiliar with Morrell instruments. Be sure none of the fasteners are loose, especially on the bridge and nut (if applicable). Be sure the strings are wound tightly on the tuners, and that the tuners are securely fastened to the headstock. If all else fails, try a heavier gauge string on 3 & 4. Good luck! |
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Dan Yeago
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 8 Dec 2019 3:33 pm
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| This happened to me and was resolved with more downward pressure with the steel on the strings. i hope it's something simple for you. |
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Frank James Pracher
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 8 Dec 2019 3:35 pm
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While I like GHS strings, the plain .026 in that set doesn't work for me.. it always sounded dead.. I use a wound .024 for the G and a plain .021 or .020 for the A and it rings much better.
_________________
"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one" |
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Frank Welsh
From:
Upstate New York, USA
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Posted 8 Dec 2019 5:12 pm
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| I tried that same GHS set and right away replaced the .026 with a wound string and the difference in tone and sustain was like night and day. |
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Gregory Streeter
From:
New York, USA
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Posted 9 Dec 2019 2:34 pm
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Thanks to all for your helpful suggestions and especially for not making me feel like an idiot!
I'll check my setup with a new set of strings while replacing that .026 with a wound .024 and the A with a .021 at first, then a .020.
That plain .026 is so dead - like a length of bailing wire!
I've tried increasing the the pressure but I'm sure I can hear the string go sharp. But I'll keep working on my technique!
I'll post the results of my experiments if anyone is interested. |
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Frank Welsh
From:
Upstate New York, USA
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Posted 9 Dec 2019 6:46 pm
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Yes, please let us know how you made out with the string change.
A similar problem exists with standard guitars that have plain third strings (G string). They are really easy to bend but are considered by many to be inferior in tone to a wound G string. I improved the tone on some of my standard 6 string guitars by replacing the .017 plain G
strings with .018 wound strings and the volume balance among all the strings was also more even as a result.
I think that on stringed instruments like regular guitar and steel guitar, some strings are meant to be wound, depending on the note the string is tuned to. Some have said that a plain string that is too thick is actually out of tune with itself, that is, it generates weird harmonics that clash with the fundamental and can sound "clanky" compared to the equivalent wound string. |
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