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distortion problem

Hi Folks. I'm new to the site as of May 01. I've completed several CBG builds and run into a problem that seems to happen randomly. That tells me I have a knowledge or technique gap that I'm passing over. Here's the problem. About 1/3 of my builds end up with a horrible twangy distortion on higher notes. It's rather obnoxious and ringing sounding on the high string especially (open tuned to either G or D; doesn't matter). The rest sound just fine. It's not a feedback issue (it happens the same acoustically with no amp.. no difference). I make the necks all the same: same wood (poplar) same fuitar tuners, same shape to the neck, same VSL, same fret wire (for those fretted, and fretting makes no difference reagrding this problem), same string gauges (chosen so the tension is about equal and acceptable). I try to have the bridge close to the tail-piece edge and I've tried purple heart and ipe wood stock for nut and bridges and brass screws and eyes. The only real variable is the box itself; but I don't find anything about that being a problem from oters. Any ideas? Anyone please.. with my appreciation. Thanks,

Rik

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on May 2, 2012 at 3:59am

Make a video and show us? Hope u can sort it out

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Permalink Reply by JUJU on May 2, 2012 at 4:04am

What about your nut and bridge slots are they too deep or too wide a lot of problems come from the nut or bridge - if you have wide string slots the string can vibrate in the slot giving a sitar type sound also a good break angle over the nut and bridge is advised

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Permalink Reply by Hellhound Custom Built Guitars on May 2, 2012 at 4:45am

I would tend to agree with juju on this one. I think if you take a bridge off a guitar that does not have the problem and swap it to the guitar that does you will know if its the way the strings ride in the slot

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on May 2, 2012 at 4:13am

Does it happen with open strings, fretted or both? Pictures and video would help. Have you tried tuning the guitar up a note, a little more tension on the string maybe? Could be a buzz from the bridge. I'm no expert, just throwing out some ideas you could look at.

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Permalink Reply by Rik Lostritto on May 2, 2012 at 8:29am

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the rapid and thorough responses. Y'all have given me some very good ideas to follow up on. Video may follow if the problem persists. Thanks again,

Rik

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Permalink Reply by Rik Lostritto on May 30, 2012 at 8:51am

Hi again folks. This is a wrap thanks to your help. Problem solved... I think. At least i was able to fix it. It was a combination of things. I created a thin cedar saddle for the "screw" bridge. With the next size smaller machine screw the change in action (height of strings over fret board) was about the same; maybe the thickness of a dime higher. I also added a colorful piece of yarn between the strings and the tailpiece board where the strings emerge topside from the tailpiece (to dampen any communication of distrotion that way). Well at least it looks nice! Finally I filled the drilled sound holes in the top of the cigar box with those nice looking brass grommets from CB Gitty (7/8"). The combination of these did the trick. Strange to me that the grommets made a noticable difference as the last tweak. Well thanks again!

Rik