Question about body resonance

rufus21 · February 11th, 2008, 05:21 PM

Just learning guitar, and being new to them, and particularly telecasters, I've got a question about body resonance.

I've noticed when playing mine unplugged, at certain points on the fretboard, most prominently that I've noticed at the second fret on the D and G strings, I'll fret a note and release the string, and the tone keeps ringing, not from the string, but seemingly from deep down in the body of the guitar. Damping the strings will not quiet this, it just plays itself out. Is this normal?

And will this resonance come through the amplifier? I mean, I make enough stray noise on my own without having to worry about this.

boris bubbanov · February 11th, 2008, 05:27 PM

I think a lot of what you hear is one or more of the other strings ringing in sympathetic vibration. The bridge assembly, nut, neck, body and even tuners lend to that effect, and yes if other strings are moving the amp should pick that up. I don't think the sound will be disturbing, however, I think it will be 'natural'.

And when we mute or lift on a string, the effect of even that on the played string isn't instantaneous. The only time I see a note really 'die' is when the string breaks.

rufus21 · February 11th, 2008, 05:38 PM

I guess you might be right. I just tried playing around with it a little bit, but just layign my index finger across the strings at the first fret, and the resonance was either mostly, or completely gone.

I'm finding that getting control of these ringing strings is the most frustrating part of learning to play. I suppose it comes over time with practice, but still..........

woodman · February 11th, 2008, 06:06 PM

what counts is the sound that comes out of the amp. work with that and don't worry about the unplugged sound -- you're the only one who hears it!

ryokan · February 11th, 2008, 06:43 PM

"I'm finding that getting control of these ringing strings is the most frustrating part of learning to play. I suppose it comes over time with practice, but still........."

Those ringing strings are the beauty of the guitar! Don't control 'em, let 'em RIIIIIING!.

keiths · February 11th, 2008, 08:04 PM

Rufus, See if the ringing will stop if you mute the strings behind the nut. I bet you have an overtone from that side of the nut. If so add a couple of winds to the g and d strings the next time you restring or add a piece of foam to deaden the sound.

rufus21 · February 12th, 2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keiths

Rufus, See if the ringing will stop if you mute the strings behind the nut. I bet you have an overtone from that side of the nut. If so add a couple of winds to the g and d strings the next time you restring or add a piece of foam to deaden the sound.

that might very well be. I restrung it a month or so ago, but didn't quite get the string length correct for all of them. I'll do better with that the next time.

edit: nope, that didn't seem to have any effect.

boris bubbanov · February 12th, 2008, 01:43 PM

I'm sorry, I do those extra winds on the G as just natural instinct, did not think to mention it. It is a great idea. Never done it to the D, I'll have to try that.

Nick JD · February 12th, 2008, 06:55 PM

Strum the strings behind the nut with you hand muting the strings over the fretboard. Quite quiet.

Now strum the strings behind the nut with no muting on the strings in front of the nut. Now you can hear it better.

The high frequency notes get to the pickups via the strings. Strange how a string can make a noise while open, that is nothing like it's resonant frequency.

Hold your ears if you like easy-listening music. Here's Tom (Rage Against The Machine) exploiting some ringin'.

The same thing is happening with sympathetic vibration ringing the strings between the ferrules and the bridge holes/saddles in a string-through Telecaster, but don't tell the top-loader vs string-through brigade. The can's already overflowing with worms!

February 11th, 2008, 05:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
rufus21 TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 65	Question about body resonance Just learning guitar, and being new to them, and particularly telecasters, I've got a question about body resonance. I've noticed when playing mine unplugged, at certain points on the fretboard, most prominently that I've noticed at the second fret on the D and G strings, I'll fret a note and release the string, and the tone keeps ringing, not from the string, but seemingly from deep down in the body of the guitar. Damping the strings will not quiet this, it just plays itself out. Is this normal? And will this resonance come through the amplifier? I mean, I make enough stray noise on my own without having to worry about this.

February 11th, 2008, 05:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 7,664	I think a lot of what you hear is one or more of the other strings ringing in sympathetic vibration. The bridge assembly, nut, neck, body and even tuners lend to that effect, and yes if other strings are moving the amp should pick that up. I don't think the sound will be disturbing, however, I think it will be 'natural'. And when we mute or lift on a string, the effect of even that on the played string isn't instantaneous. The only time I see a note really 'die' is when the string breaks. __________________ Bubban0v

February 11th, 2008, 06:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 62 Posts: 5,802	what counts is the sound that comes out of the amp. work with that and don't worry about the unplugged sound -- you're the only one who hears it! __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/woodymitchellmusic BAND PAGES: www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Stragglers - Western Swing) www.myspace.com/loafersgloryband (Loafers Glory - '70s country-rock)

February 11th, 2008, 06:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
ryokan Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 277	"I'm finding that getting control of these ringing strings is the most frustrating part of learning to play. I suppose it comes over time with practice, but still........." Those ringing strings are the beauty of the guitar! Don't control 'em, let 'em RIIIIIING!. __________________ www.inksound.com www.myspace.com/chrisaronnelson

February 12th, 2008, 01:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 7,664	I'm sorry, I do those extra winds on the G as just natural instinct, did not think to mention it. It is a great idea. Never done it to the D, I'll have to try that. __________________ Bubban0v

February 11th, 2008, 05:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
rufus21 TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 65	I guess you might be right. I just tried playing around with it a little bit, but just layign my index finger across the strings at the first fret, and the resonance was either mostly, or completely gone. I'm finding that getting control of these ringing strings is the most frustrating part of learning to play. I suppose it comes over time with practice, but still..........

February 11th, 2008, 08:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
keiths TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maryland Age: 36 Posts: 68	Rufus, See if the ringing will stop if you mute the strings behind the nut. I bet you have an overtone from that side of the nut. If so add a couple of winds to the g and d strings the next time you restring or add a piece of foam to deaden the sound.

February 12th, 2008, 06:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
Nick JD Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2007 Location: North NSW, Australia Age: 36 Posts: 2,232	Strum the strings behind the nut with you hand muting the strings over the fretboard. Quite quiet. Now strum the strings behind the nut with no muting on the strings in front of the nut. Now you can hear it better. The high frequency notes get to the pickups via the strings. Strange how a string can make a noise while open, that is nothing like it's resonant frequency. Hold your ears if you like easy-listening music. Here's Tom (Rage Against The Machine) exploiting some ringin'. The same thing is happening with sympathetic vibration ringing the strings between the ferrules and the bridge holes/saddles in a string-through Telecaster, but don't tell the top-loader vs string-through brigade. The can's already overflowing with worms! __________________