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Post by Jeremy on Jul 8, 2009 12:53:17 GMT
Help!! Could any one tell me why the 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings on my strat give out a dull sound when played open - it appears to be "muted" and "dull" and does not "ring" as the 6th 5th and 4th strings do. How can this be rectified? Thanks.
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Post by Charlie Hall on Jul 8, 2009 13:02:41 GMT
Hi Clive,
Although I have already answered this question by email, I will give my opinion for the benefit of other members.
The most likely reason is the way the nut slots have been cut. The highest part of each nut slot depth should be at the front which faces the fretboard. It the highest point is further back within the nut, the string vibration will be affected, and in a bad case it could throw the intonation out since the string length is assumed to be from the front of the nut to the bridge.
Regards,
Charlie
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Post by tca on Jul 9, 2009 7:30:18 GMT
Hi Charlie, It appears that you are answering Jeremy's question to me. He seems to be having probs like myself and I wish him the best of luck in sorting it. (see you around 7pm today).
Rgds - Clive
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Post by Charlie Hall on Jul 9, 2009 10:18:56 GMT
Hi Jeremy and Clive,
My mistake, I don't know why I put the wrong name, but I was a bit stressed out yesterday with a busy day's events.
See you this evening Clive.
Regards,
Charlie
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Post by john44 on Jul 10, 2009 2:56:22 GMT
Hi Charlie
One of my 30 plus guitars is a chinese Fender Starcaster which has a suprising good sound but it has developed a similar fault the high e on open has develpoed a muted type sound all other frets are perfect any clues to look for
cheers john44
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Post by Charlie Hall on Jul 10, 2009 8:53:04 GMT
Hi John,
My reply to the original message explains what you need to look at. It could also simply be dirt in the slot which can be cleaned by running a thin fingernail through it after lifting the string out of the slot.
You can also check the nut slot heights by pressing each string in turn in front of the second fret and examining the gap between the string and the first fret. The gap should be minimal but not zero on the thin E string and gradually increasing with each thicker string. In the case of the thin E string the amount of gap will tell you how far the slot profile can be filed down, if any at all. If the gap is already minimal you would have to be very careful not to cut the front part of the slot any deeper than it is at the moment.
Regards,
Charlie
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