2008 Martin D28 - horrible resonances

  • Thread starter Thread starter Monkey Allen
  • Start date Start date
So go do it then. :oops:


You could find that changing the saddle makes a difference to what you're hearing.
Alternatively you could find that the offensive ringing frequencies you're hearing have a relationship to the resonant frequency of the instrument.

Either way, though, you'd have test these things otherwise we're all just sitting around guessing.
 
Sure. I like to takes a gander at all angles and discuss a range of approaches, theories, speculations first. Including the curious detail regarding my 2 guitars and the guitar in the video all having the same issue.

Got an acoustic laying around? Strum those last 2 strings like I mentioned. Let me know if you get the resonance.
 
I hear harmonics playing some of those chords, sure, but not in a dominant annoying way (no pun intended).

For example, if I pluck simultaneously, thumb and index finger, X-3-X-3-X-X
That's C + Bb, the makings of C7, I'll clearly hear the G that isn't there, with all X strings muted.

Might indicate no relationship to resonant frequency after all, since my instrument 'wants' to ring an F. 🤷‍♂️
 
I'm getting the exact resonance/ issue as at 6:31 in that video when playing the chords the guy is playing. On both guitars. Anyway, thanks. I'll roll up my sleeves when I get some quality time and begin the saddle and nut appraisals. See you around the clubs.
 
Steenamaroo said:
I'd be curious where your guitar naturally resonates and if that relates to the specific frequencies of this issue.
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THAT is a really interesting point. I have an Epiphone AJ 100. While it doesn't exhibit OGs problem, it has a natural resonance ~G
 
So all guitars with a natural resonance of G will maybe ring out and exhibit this outrageous phenomenon. Or all guitars that resonate at G AND with saddle, nut, only saddle, only nut or both or both combined with some other X factor or any one of saddle/ nut and or combined with whatever unknown X factor problem/s will exhibit this phenomenon. What are the odds of both my guitars doing it and this new guitar in the video. If natural resonances of G lead to the issue, guitar manufacturers would never manufacture another guitar that resonates at G every again. This G resonance thing would have been eliminated from guitar making a century ago.

I think I will replace both nut and saddle in both my guitars and redo the setups etc. As for the brand new guitar in the video exhibiting the issue in absolute spades...I dunno. It may well just be that both my guitars are years past the date of their last setup/ nut/ saddle work/ change.....AND the guitar in the video is direct off the rack brand new and has never had a detailed setup. So that's where I think I am at.

I now know the course of action to take. I'd like to thank everyone for their thoughts and wish you all the best. I'll get the work done and report back here at a later date.

Thank you
 
Monkey Allen said:
I dunno. It may well just be that both my guitars are years past the date of their last setup/ nut/ saddle work/ change.....
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That would seem the logical first choice.
Did you have your new guitar set up, or play it out of the box?
It may also be that your ears are too well tuned to pick up these anomalies that most or us don't hear as prominently.
 
Old Music Guy said:
That would seem the logical first choice.
Did you have your new guitar set up, or play it out of the box?
It may also be that your ears are too well tuned to pick up these anomalies that most or us don't hear as prominently.
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Setup, they were both pro setup. Probably long in the tooth now much like myself. So I will renew the setups and all that. I doubt my ears are too well tuned. The video example at 6:31 doesn't take special ears to hear. It's a great example and plain as day. I'll be back....

...whenever I get this done.
 
Monkey Allen said:
So all guitars with a natural resonance of G will maybe ring out and exhibit this outrageous phenomenon.
Click to expand...
I don't know - I'm taking a stab but it doesn't seem unreasonable.
My guitar 'wants' to ring at F, and I hear your G-pitch overtones on my guitar but they sound natural; just part of the sound of the instrument.

If it's easier for your instrument to resonate at certain pitches than mine maybe there's something in that?
Like I say, though...A stab.

We've all had it where the bassist plays some note and the unattended snare drum goes mental.
I recently hung some of my guitars on the wall and I'm very aware of them ringing when I talk or listen to music there.


The reason I keep mentioning the saddle is because they are fussy as hell if not quite right.
They can/do become worn over time, and running a different string gauge from what was on it at setup can make all the difference too.

I'm thinking If I wanted annoying pronounced harmonics I'd impede the movement of the string slightly (pinched harmonic).

Seems to me nut, frets, and saddle impede string movement and the first to go would be the fundamental.
and the range of cases where you observe this rule out, or at least reduce likelihood of, it being caused by nut or individual frets.


Thinking about it, it might be worth just checking out single note sustain, with all other strings muted.
For example, fret 5 on D string (g pitch)...Just give that a pluck and see how it sustains.
Does the fundamental fade out abnormally early, leaving the first harmonic (octave above) behind?
I mean, it should do exactly that but, I guess, the question is how quickly?

I did make a guitar from scratch but I'm no luthier. I'm just throwing out things I think I'd want to try.
If anyone can tell you, or me, better, that's very welcome!
 
Monkey Allen said:
I'm fine with replacing whatever I need to replace. But I'm interested in why both my guitars are doing this (a dread and a concert)...and the guitar in the video.
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That makes me think it's not the guitar somehow.

Are you mostly playing in the same room? What happens if you take them outside?
 
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