Too much sustain.

Ron Wisdom · Post by **Ron Wisdom** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 2:27 pm

Question for you southern folks: I don't play very often, but I was playing my first build tonight and noticed that the "D" string seems to have the same resonance as the body of the guitar. It sustains much longer than the other strings. (when played open) It's not a problem, really, just annoying at times. Any clue as to how to get it to back off a little? Do I need to shave a little off a brace or tone bar? I used standard Martin style scalloped bracing and overall I love the sound of the guitar. Maybe if I try a little heavier gauge "D" string?

Ron

matthew · Post by **matthew** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 7:11 pm

i had the same problem with a double bass. The nut slot was slightly too wide, and the buzz somehow set off a wild resonance on the open string, sustained way longer than it ought. nut slot fixed, sustain restored to normal.

Ron Wisdom · Post by **Ron Wisdom** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:17 am

Thanks for responding, Matthew. I'll look that over, but I don't think it matters on my guitar as I use a zero fret.

Ron

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:44 am

Does it happen with other D notes, or just that particular open string?

The only things that I can think of that is simple is changing the gauge of string as you said.

I don't know if you'd have any luck shaving braces or adding weight to the top. Interesting problem. I'm keen to hear the outcome.

Hippety Hop · Post by **Hippety Hop** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 8:58 am

I bought a Gold Tone banjo-uke once (nylon strings), and the 3rd string acted just like that. Too loud and the sustain was way out of proportion to the other strings. It came good when I changed the strings.

Cheers Hip.

Ron Wisdom · Post by **Ron Wisdom** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 2:05 pm

Thanks fellows. I'll whup out a new set of strings sometime this week and see if that helps.

Allen, I haven't noticed it anywhere else, but I do a lot of vamping while strumming and singing so they don't ring a lot with that technique.

Ron

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:38 pm

Ron, there is an article in one of the GAL journals about dealing with wolf notes by adding little weights to the top.

Use a lump of bluetac stuck to the top and move it around until you find the right spot. You may need to use 2 lumps. Then make it as small as possible while maintaining the effect. Then gluie a lump of ebony of equal weight to your bluetac lump on that spot but on the inside of the guitar.

Look for the article if you have access to some GALs from the last few years. It is quite detailed.
Cheers
Dom

AndyF · Post by **AndyF** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 3:41 am

I'm looking to make an instrument with a bass/drone string, so I'd like to know how to intentionally get this effect. Any tips?

ClockworkMoon · Post by **ClockworkMoon** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:37 am

Hey Ron,

A simplistic idea, if you aren't accompanying another instrument, is to just tune down a quarter tone.

Gerry

obmit · Post by **obmit** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:05 am

Hippety Hop wrote:I bought a Gold Tone banjo-uke once (nylon strings), and the 3rd string acted just like that. Too loud and the sustain was way out of proportion to the other strings. It came good when I changed the strings.

Cheers Hip.

My latest soprano has this issue. I put it down to the aquila strings.

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Too much sustain.

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