muting the pickup

[Cyrokk]

I've been noticing a faint but audible high frequency noise on my Epi that occurs when I'm doing any riffing on the low E string. It only happens when I'm miking my Crate, and it's caused by the higher overtone of the sixth string getting picked up on the magnetic pole corresponding to the first string.. I know this to be the case because I can somewhat dampen it by palm muting.

Changing mike positions only sacrifices the tone and doesn't remove the frequency, and I'm not willing to sacrifice the initial tracking to EQ.

Is there anything I can place between the pole and the first string to mute it? I tried tape but it didn't work.

Cy

 

[Scooter B]

Cyrokk,

I am not sure about your deduction but be that as it may I may also be completely wrong in understanding what you are saying.

It seems to me that that the magnetic pole under the 1st string would be the least likely source of the offending overtone being amplified. The physics of the how the pole works requires close proximity to the vibrating string...I might believe the 5th string pole could pick up something of the sixth string but not the first.

My best guess is that the first string is sypathetically vibrating with the sixth string. Try using something to mute the first string itself and not the pole as an experiment. If the offending high requency is gone now then there lies your problem.

You may be able to use a seperate track or overdub for your "riffing on the low E string" if you will still need the first string on the same part.

Your other option (assuming my assumtion is correct) is to develop a more "advanced" muting technique - perhaps with your left (fretting) hand to mute the the first string as you riff on the low E.

Let me know if this works and happy riffing.

 

[64Firebird]

They use to make a do-hicky that mounted on the headstock and you could flip it down and it would mute all the strings. The only note heard was the one that's fretted. But, you'll be saying goodbye to open end chords. I've seen a few Jazz players using one (Herb Ellis comes to mind). You might still be able to find one if you can look through some of the catalogs at your local music store.