So i have a 2013 Tremonti Custom SE. It has been upgraded with USA electronics, new pickups and now the USA nut. The nut was easy drop in and didn't need any modifications which was nice. But now I have a Sitar sounding B and E strings. I am using 9's on the string gauge. It is still there when I fret the string so I don't think it is the nut. What else could it be? Will pickup height being too close make this sound? Could the bridge saddles be causing this? What about upping the string gauge to 10's? I'm gonna try new strings soon. What do you think?
Sitar sound
- Thread starter SteveH
- Start date
justmund
Plank Spanker
A full setup (relief, action, intonation, pickup height) to PRS specs should be the first step.
Does it happen when you fret the highest fret?
Does it happen when you fret the highest fret?
D
Deleted member 2284
Guest
Yup, general setup is the first thing to do - in the right order, and meticulously. Do this with new strings. If you prefer PLAYING with 9s, use those. I think justmund wrote the "correct" order of setup.
When checking these things, be sure to dampen all other strings, PREFERABLY in two places along the strings to avoid harmonics, and also dampen behind the fretting position on the string you're testing.
And be aware that buzz can come from other places, too - like loose screws on backplates, strap locks, etc etc etc. It doesn't SOUND like that's you problem (the sirat thing definitely sounds like it's fret buzz, to me). But it's something that can be checked fairly quickly. Tighten all these "secondary" screws FAIRLY tightly - don't go overboard.
When checking these things, be sure to dampen all other strings, PREFERABLY in two places along the strings to avoid harmonics, and also dampen behind the fretting position on the string you're testing.
And be aware that buzz can come from other places, too - like loose screws on backplates, strap locks, etc etc etc. It doesn't SOUND like that's you problem (the sirat thing definitely sounds like it's fret buzz, to me). But it's something that can be checked fairly quickly. Tighten all these "secondary" screws FAIRLY tightly - don't go overboard.
DHW
New Member
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2014
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- 705
Intonation is always the very last thing to do...
Sitar type of sounds is often in the bridge. Either a bur or something else vibrating. Take a q-tip and run it over the saddle on the string path that is doing it and see if it snags anywhere. Sometimes you can't really see it. It could be fret buzz but that would be basically bottoming out on a fret instead of just buzz unless it is being interpreted a little liberally.
Sitar type of sounds is often in the bridge. Either a bur or something else vibrating. Take a q-tip and run it over the saddle on the string path that is doing it and see if it snags anywhere. Sometimes you can't really see it. It could be fret buzz but that would be basically bottoming out on a fret instead of just buzz unless it is being interpreted a little liberally.
