Hi 'E' string issue--need suggestions

[LanierP]

Hey guys. I just bought a new Friedman Cali 'Greenie' about 3 weeks ago. Love how she sounds and plays; 2 hums with original Floyd. Here's my issue: The high E string doesn't ring clear when it's played open. It rings true when fretting any note on the fretboard (including at the 1st fret), but open it is definitely getting choked out just a tad(it's barely there,,,,but it's there). It kinda has a slight 'sitar' sound to it. I tried raising the Floyd on the treble side pivot screw in very small increments, to the point that the Floyd is starting to visually look a tad crooked( when looking down the neck from behind the Floyd). Not going any higher, as this clearly isn't the solution. I'm pretty sure that I have what might be too deep of a slot in the locking nut for the high E string or something. All other strings ring great and have no issues anywhere. Neck is actually dead on balls straight, the is very little to no relief.
Any ideas on a solution here?
Thanks
Len

 

[lespaul6]

Its the nut, youre correct... have a closer look at the nut again and see where the string is positioned when tightened down and when released. Does it do it when you take off the lock?

 

[ChurchHill]

I've had this happen on a couple of guitars. They all had Floyds on them, but I think that's just a coincidence.

I think you're right, the nut shelf is likely cut a little too low (assuming it's got a locking nut). You could check this by putting a small piece of something underneath (thin metal, thin plastic, thick paper, thin cardboard, etc.) to add some height to the nut. If the sitar-like sound goes away, you've found your culprit. I think Stew-Mac sells nut shims just for this purpose.

I've also seen this caused by a high 1st fret. If you've got a good straight edge (like a metal ruler) that's perfectly straight. If you place it along the frets (parallel with the strings) and it rocks or you can see a gap somewhere, there's a high fret someplace.

Other than that, just make sure everything's tightened down on the Floyd. In any case, I hope you find and can resolve the issue. To me, it's one of those things that you can't un-hear. Doesn't matter if anyone else can hear it, if I know it's there, it's gonna drive me crazy.

 

[LanierP]

Tried the string with the locking nut completely off for the high E/B string. It's actually worse with it off. Gonna check to make sure the first fret is level with a straight edge next. If all good there, I guess a locking nut shim is the answer. Thanks guys for the tips.
Len

 

[napalmdeath]

Hey guys. I just bought a new Friedman Cali 'Greenie' about 3 weeks ago. Love how she sounds and plays; 2 hums with original Floyd. Here's my issue: The high E string doesn't ring clear when it's played open. It rings true when fretting any note on the fretboard (including at the 1st fret), but open it is definitely getting choked out just a tad(it's barely there,,,,but it's there). It kinda has a slight 'sitar' sound to it. I tried raising the Floyd on the treble side pivot screw in very small increments, to the point that the Floyd is starting to visually look a tad crooked( when looking down the neck from behind the Floyd). Not going any higher, as this clearly isn't the solution. I'm pretty sure that I have what might be too deep of a slot in the locking nut for the high E string or something. All other strings ring great and have no issues anywhere. Neck is actually dead on balls straight, the is very little to no relief.
Any ideas on a solution here?
Thanks
Len

Return it.

 

[cardinal]

I'd take off the nut and put a strip of masking tape under the treble side of the nut. Since it's just the high E string, you probably just need a small sliver on the edge of the nut to lift it up a touch.

And try fretting at each spot on the e string, but pluck the string behind your finger (the part of the string toward the nut). The string should be able to ring out everywhere. If not, there's an issue (not enough relief, low nut, low fret, warped neck, etc.).

 

[LanierP]

I'd take off the nut and put a strip of masking tape under the treble side of the nut. Since it's just the high E string, you probably just need a small sliver on the edge of the nut to lift it up a touch.

And try fretting at each spot on the e string, but pluck the string behind your finger (the part of the string toward the nut). The string should be able to ring out everywhere. If not, there's an issue (not enough relief, low nut, low fret, warped neck, etc.).

Thanks brother. Took the locking nut off, and shimmed it like you said on the treble side. Back together and problem solved. there was already a very thin shim the size of a piece of notebook paper already there from Friedman, so I just added another small piece of the same thickness to the treble side and it got rid of the issue. Checked the frets with a metal ruler to see if there was any issue there, but all checked out. All good here. Thanks again man.
Len

 

[cardinal]

I'd take off the nut and put a strip of masking tape under the treble side of the nut. Since it's just the high E string, you probably just need a small sliver on the edge of the nut to lift it up a touch.

And try fretting at each spot on the e string, but pluck the string behind your finger (the part of the string toward the nut). The string should be able to ring out everywhere. If not, there's an issue (not enough relief, low nut, low fret, warped neck, etc.).

Thanks brother. Took the locking nut off, and shimmed it like you said on the treble side. Back together and problem solved. there was already a very thin shim the size of a piece of notebook paper already there from Friedman, so I just added another small piece of the same thickness to the treble side and it got rid of the issue. Checked the frets with a metal ruler to see if there was any issue there, but all checked out. All good here. Thanks again man.
Len

Glad it worked out!

I love bolt-on guitars with Floyd Rose because you almost always can just shim something to get the set up perfect.

 

[ChurchHill]

Glad you got it resolved! I agree with cardinal, too. It's so easy to add a little shim here or there (I think Stew-Mac has saddle shims, too) and get the perfect setup.

 

[splatter]

I've also seen this caused by a high 1st fret. If you've got a good straight edge (like a metal ruler) that's perfectly straight. If you place it along the frets (parallel with the strings) and it rocks or you can see a gap somewhere, there's a high fret someplace.

Never use a metal ruler , I've never seen one thats perfectly straight.I made the mistake of using a metal ruler years ago and man was that a mistake . If you Don't believe me take a metal ruler and place it against a known straight edge like a level .

Also to check fret height you should use something about the size of a credit card which is just long enough to cover 3 frets on the nut end of the neck .like this http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Ty ... ocker.html.
Looking at the neck as a whole while it still has relief in it can be deceiving.
If you are gong to look at the neck as a whole you should first straighten it.
these are handy http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Ty ... tedge.html
BTW you can get one for 1/2 that price at Philadelphia luthier supply . http://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/

 

[ChurchHill]

Good advice, especially about looking at the neck as a whole. A little relief is a necessary thing. StewMac has some excellent tools, as does PLS. I've had good dealings with both.

 

[PBGas]

Always great when you can get the fine folks at Rig-Talk helping!

 

[riffermadness]

I'd take off the nut and put a strip of masking tape under the treble side of the nut. Since it's just the high E string, you probably just need a small sliver on the edge of the nut to lift it up a touch.

And try fretting at each spot on the e string, but pluck the string behind your finger (the part of the string toward the nut). The string should be able to ring out everywhere. If not, there's an issue (not enough relief, low nut, low fret, warped neck, etc.).

Thanks brother. Took the locking nut off, and shimmed it like you said on the treble side. Back together and problem solved. there was already a very thin shim the size of a piece of notebook paper already there from Friedman, so I just added another small piece of the same thickness to the treble side and it got rid of the issue. Checked the frets with a metal ruler to see if there was any issue there, but all checked out. All good here. Thanks again man.
Len

Glad it worked out!

I love bolt-on guitars with Floyd Rose because you almost always can just shim something to get the set up perfect.

You might have helped me figure out a problem I have with my Floyd equipped guitars..high E & B string have this funny ringing to them when fretting at the 12th fret when tuning or notes period,almost like the strings are stretched too tight..i have moved the saddles sharp and flat and dead perfect on intonation and it still does it,oh and no burrs on my new saddles..going to check this out too.

 

[cardinal]

^ if it's just happening when fretting at the 12th fret, I wouldn't think it's the nut.

What sometimes happens is a fret lifts slightly out of its slot, so now there's a high spot causing issues. You can usually just look at them and glue the fret back down. But since you're saying this is a problem with multiple guitars, I'm not sure this is the issue.

It might be that your necks are too straight or back bowed? Fret each spot down the high e and pluck the string towards the nut and make sure each time it rings out. If at some place the string won't ring out, that's telling you there's a problem with something making the neck back bowed or a high fret.