1st two strings feel/sound dead

[RiverDog]

Can anyone help me with this? One of my teles has a problem where the 1st and 2nd strings feel "dead". When I pick them while fretting a note it just kinda sounds like plink. There's no string buzz so I don't think it's just string height or neck bow. Any idea what might be the culprit? Thanks!

[mellecaster]

Thru an Amp....or dare I say Unplugged ?

[robrohdeszudy]

Sounds like the string is hitting a pickup, higher fret, or maybe the saddle has a problem. --Rob

[hockey_head]

neck relief?,falling saddles what style bridge.
sometimes on brand new guitarsthe heighth adj screws will vibrate causing the saddles to fall and the strings to get plinky. if this is the problem, a drop of clear nail polish or removable loctite will secure them.
if this is an Affinity tele with top loading bridge, conversion to thru body style will cure this by apllying added string pressure to the saddles and the biproduct is just better tone and sustain(and cutting about 30 minutes from your restringing process.

[RiverDog]

Sorry, more info:

It's a partscaster with a 6 saddle bridge like a MIM Tele has. It's definitely not hitting the pickups and yes, it does it unplugged.

I'll take a look at the saddle.

[Ethical]

Failing nut perhaps?


Ted

[Tim Armstrong]

Could be defective strings (been there!). Have you tried a replacing them?

Cheers, Tim

[blue metalflake]

Try changing the strings first, then look at the nut.

[garytelecastor]

check your nut; check your pup height

[RiverDog]

I did change the strings. What should I look for on the nut? Slots too tight?

(Thanks for the replies!)

[old_picker]

Originally Posted by RiverDog

I did change the strings. What should I look for on the nut? Slots too tight?

(Thanks for the replies!)

bad angle in the nut slots
just angle them down a little at a time towards the tuners
till you get a nice clear tone

you got to try for the same or a little less angle than the string break
you will need some nut files

the string is vibrating on the front or rear of the nut
once you get that cut at the right angle you will have a nice clear tone
takes a few minutes but go little by little

[AnArmyOfJuan]

but he said it sounds dead when fretting... wouldn't that take the nut out of the equation?

[RiverDog]

Originally Posted by AnArmyOfJuan

but he said it sounds dead when fretting... wouldn't that take the nut out of the equation?

Exactly. When I play the strings open you don't really hear a problem but when I fret that's when there's not much sound.

[old_picker]

Originally Posted by AnArmyOfJuan

but he said it sounds dead when fretting... wouldn't that take the nut out of the equation?

sorry yes you are right
never read the post proper did i?
sounds like a dead fret?
which frets sound dead ? or is it dead on all frets
you need to go up the board and see if you can locate the probklem area
does it stop plinking after a particlur fret?
is there a high fret somewhere?? a fret not seated properly?
also check your saddle screws - are both seated firnly on the bridge plate?
if its a 3 barrel bridge its may be there - maybe that barrell has a void inside and replacing it may solve the problem

lets know what you find