Guitar Sound = Garbage

  • Thread starter Thread starter MrStitch
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MrStitch

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For a while now, I've noticed that the notes up high didn't quite sound right. You could hold a single string, at about the 13th fret or higher, pluck it.... and it sounds like it's out of tune (silly, I know). It sounds like it's all 'wavy', like something is physically out of whack.

Well, tonight at practice, I had to throw down on some Sweet Child 'O Mine, and it sounded like total ass. Then, to top it all off, the B string (i 'think' that's B... never said I was any good. hahaha), wouldn't stay in tune for #%@@$.

This all started to get really bad when I tuned down a half step a couple of weeks ago, so we could do that song.

The guitar is an old Ibanez Radius. The frets look like they're wearing a bit (from what I can tell with my limited knowledge... keyword "limited"), and the strings definitely need changing, as I don't normally change my strings till they break, or if there's a show coming in a couple weeks.

Got any ideas??
 
I don't know WHERE to begin...

I'll answer this tomorrow when I'm sober.
 
First off I'd try changing the strings. If they're really old, that could be the problem.

The wavy thing though sounds like "Stratitis" to me. What kind of pickups do you have on the guitar? Any single coils?

If the single coil pickup is too high (too close to the string), it can pull too much on the string and cause the "wavy" out-of-tune sound you're talking about.
 
The coils?

Weird, cause I'm using the switch in the bottom position, which I'm pretty sure is the humbucker near the tremelo (correct me if I'm wrong on the terminology).

When I'm in that position, the other pickups shouldn't be active.... correct?

Also, I too thought it was the humbucker position, as it seems a bit loose, and 'off'. But I played a note, and moved it around.... but nothing appeared to change the sound in any way.

I should just take it down to the shop and tell 'em to give it a once-over. I'm sure it could use some love.... just don't have any extra cabbage at the moment.

Any other suggestions?
 
MrStitch said:
The coils?

Weird, cause I'm using the switch in the bottom position, which I'm pretty sure is the humbucker near the tremelo (correct me if I'm wrong on the terminology).

When I'm in that position, the other pickups shouldn't be active.... correct?

Also, I too thought it was the humbucker position, as it seems a bit loose, and 'off'. But I played a note, and moved it around.... but nothing appeared to change the sound in any way.

I should just take it down to the shop and tell 'em to give it a once-over. I'm sure it could use some love.... just don't have any extra cabbage at the moment.

Any other suggestions?
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Hmm ... yeah it usually doesn't happen on humbuckers. I'd say change the strings first. It probably needs to be looked at though.
 
If it's only off on certain frets, it could be the intonation of your guitar that is off....
 
Start by changing strings. Old strings do not stay in tune and often sound out on certain notes. Rust, pitting, wear where the string touches the frets, even dirt will cause strings to vibrate irregularly and sound out of tune. This is more noticeable on lighter gauge strings. As a general rule you should change strings at least once a month, more often if you play a lot or play hard. For me the average "life" of a set of strings is about 20-30 hours of actual playing time.
After changing the strings (and stretching them) use your tuner to check intonation. Tune the guitar carefully then check the note at the 12th fret (octave,) the fretted note should read "in tune" the same as the open note. If it does not then you need a set up. Most tuners are not accurate enough to use for setting intonation but are accurate enough to check and see if you need to have the intonation set.
Pickup height can have an affect on strings too. The pickups have magnets in them which exert a slight pull on the strings even when the pickup is not turned on. Too close to the strings will dampen sustain and if the neck pickup is too close it can cause a wavering sound.
Fresh strings on a propperly set up guitar will both sound and play better.
 
Like the others said, it sounds like your intonation is out. You need to set it up again from scratch (pay special attention to the trem) with a new set of strings, probably adjust the truss rod and spring tension around the back while your at it too. I'm useless at that type of thing so I get a tech in a guitar shop to do it for me, well worth it (just make sure that he breaks the strings in too otherwise you will have trouble tuning up for another week).
 
the intonation is off
the bridge needs to be adjusted to get the pitch right.
 
Will_R said:
+1

Sounds like the intonation is off
Click to expand...

It may be, but that wavy, warbly sound is not from intonation if it does it when plucking a single string. Something is interfering with the even vibration of the string. Old strings can do this when they get worn to the point where the mass of the string is not the same all along its length. Uneven frets or a neck problem can do it if a fret somewhere down the string is restricting its oscillation. Pickups too close to the string can cause it when the magnet in the pickup pulls enough on the string to disturb its vibration, and humbuckers can do it too, although single coil pickups are worse. The neck pickup is the usual suspect because the swing of the string's vibration is more there than at the bridge pickup, but any/either of them can do it.

First thing I'd do is change the strings. Next, I'd lower the pickups. Setting the intonation can't hurt, but probably won't help. Then I'd have the neck and frets looked at by a reputable guitar tech.
 
Yeah that's why I was saying it was probably the pickups being too close, because he said it was sounding "wavy" and out of tune on a single note. Fixing the intonation won't fix this. (Of course, his intonation may still be off, in which case, he certainly needs to fix that too.)

And by the way Stitch, it doesn't matter which pickup you're playing through at the time. If the neck pickup is too close to the strings, it's going to pull on them regardless. It'll even do it when you're not plugged in at all. Check to see if you hear the wavy sound when the guitar's not plugged in at all. It will probably be worse on the thicker strings on the higher frets.
 
it's defintely intonation. Makes a big difference. Get it right. You don't need a guitar tech to do it for you, it's pretty easy.
 
yoyo said:
it's defintely intonation. Makes a big difference. Get it right. You don't need a guitar tech to do it for you, it's pretty easy.
Click to expand...

Well, as we've said, his intonation might be out, and that could cause some beating in chords, but the wavering he's hearing on single notes has nothing to do with intonation.

And to get intonation really accurate, you'll need to use a strobe tuner; quartz tuners can get you fairly close, and they can make a big difference if it's really out, but they can't do the job that a strobe can. You're right that it's easy to do, but you've got to have the right tool for the job.
 
Lower the pickups, change the strings and report back. There is a definite order to troubleshooting setup problems. The first thing is you cannot do it with worn out strings.

When you report back let us know if the intonation is sharp or flat, tell us how high the action is and if each note plays cleanly with out buzzing. Until we have at least that much to go on everyone is speculating. It does sound like you have two problems. One is the pickup hight and is fixed easily. The other is the intonation, you need to get new strings on there and give us more details before we can help. New strings may well fix it.
 
Wow.... Thanks a TON for all the info guys. This really does help.

K, I won't be able to get to this tomorrow, as I don't have a working amp here, and I think I forgot my tuner at the band's place. (stupid me)

I already have the cover off for the tension bar, so what I'll do....

1) Put new strings on.

2) Adjust the tension bar to get the desired action.

3) Tune (the best I can) and see what happens.

After that, I have many questions cause I'm not a tech... just like to jam. hahahah I'm sure I'm not the first one here like that either. ;)

So, what is intonation?

Lowering the pickups..... I think I seen some tiny alan-wrench type screws right on top of the pickups. Do those lower it? Also note that my humbucker.... I can literally move it back and forth easily. Very slightly stiff, but it's definitely not SOLID. Could be a clue to the problem as well?

I also have (and I'm pretty sure 99.9% of guitars do), these 'risers' on the tremelo that the strings pass over, before going into the body and out the back (you know... where you normally load the strings like most guitars). What are those for, and would adjusting those affect this problem?

Side note - Seems like every guitar I've ever owned, concerning those risers, the one for the B string is always higher than the others. Is that normal?

So many questions.... so little time. hahahha
 
Update - + Rep for everyone that chipped in already. Don't know how much I appreciate this guys. :)
 
Don't do 2/ just yet unless you know what you are doing.
MrStitch said:
So, what is intonation?
Click to expand...
Read these threads for some stuff on intonation and how it effects your guitar.
https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=238290
https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?p=2501398#post2501398

Your humbucker will move don't worry about it. You normally lower or raise them by adjusting the two middle screws at the side which are mounted in your pickup surround. Don't play with the allen key adjusters they are the pole pieces.

The pickup you really want to drop down is the bridge pick up. What do you have there?
 
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