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Re: Calling all experts on Stratocasters!

11/19/1999 3:27 PM
Doc	Re: Calling all experts on Stratocasters! If there are no sympathetic mechanical vibrations from a loose truss rod (you do have some tension on it?), and it happens no matter which amp you play through, I'd say the pickup poles may be too close to the strings. "High" and "low" are subjective, relative descriptions, so the best thing is a physical measurement. Measure the distance from the underside of the string and the top of the magnet. Start with the treble side. Fret the 1st string at the last fret (21 or 22, you didn't state guitar model) and measure the distance from the high E to the magnet on each of the three pickups. Now perform the same procedure using the low 6th string, and obtain a measurement for each pickup. Treble Side Neck: Middle: Bridge: Bass Side Neck: Middle: Bridge: Please post your results.

11/19/1999 3:27 PM

Doc

Re: Calling all experts on Stratocasters!

If there are no sympathetic mechanical vibrations from a loose truss rod (you do have some tension on it?), and it happens no matter which amp you play through, I'd say the pickup poles may be too close to the strings. "High" and "low" are subjective, relative descriptions, so the best thing is a physical measurement.

Measure the distance from the underside of the string and the top of the magnet. Start with the treble side. Fret the 1st string at the last fret (21 or 22, you didn't state guitar model) and measure the distance from the high E to the magnet on each of the three pickups. Now perform the same procedure using the low 6th string, and obtain a measurement for each pickup.

Treble Side
Neck:
Middle:
Bridge:

Bass Side
Neck:
Middle:
Bridge:

Please post your results.

11/20/1999 4:06 AM
Charles Arsenault	I had the Texas Special pickups set-up to Fender's specs. 8/64" bass side, 6/64" treble side when the strings are fretted at the last fret. I lowered the pickups so low that they were almost falling off the mounting screws and yet the problem persisted. The next thing I plan on trying is putting in some Seymour Duncans I have kicking around, I'll let you know how I make out.

11/20/1999 7:59 AM
GouxMan	I play lots of guitars out of curiousity, and have found the Texas Specials to have a lot of string pull. I'm very sensitive to it, more than most people, but I think they have way more than the average Strat pickup. If it is an effect of the pickups, lowering may reduce the problem but will not get rid of it. You may have to try a different set of pickups, or put your assembly on a different guitar and check that. It doesn't sound like a problem caused by your tailpiece or springs. GouxMan

11/20/1999 7:59 AM

GouxMan

I play lots of guitars out of curiousity, and have found the Texas Specials to have a lot of string pull. I'm very sensitive to it, more than most people, but I think they have way more than the average Strat pickup. If it is an effect of the pickups, lowering may reduce the problem but will not get rid of it. You may have to try a different set of pickups, or put your assembly on a different guitar and check that. It doesn't sound like a problem caused by your tailpiece or springs. GouxMan

11/20/1999 10:51 AM
JR	Beating and wavering are common words people describe to me when they ask me to fix their guitars. 9 times out of 10 its and intonation problem. The fact that it stops after the 18th freat is odd, though. You may have allready ruled intonation problems out, so ignore this if you have. First, dampen all the strings, say with something under them near the nut or first fret. Then play the "problem" notes. If this stops it, their most likely is an intonation prob on that string, it resonates the other in tune strings causing the beating. Do the typical 12th fret/12th harmonic test with a quality tuner. Then just adjust that saddle till you have acurate tuning. If the nut has problems, this can cause the string to be out of tune when ringng open. I know that this is very basic, but I'm not sure how experienced you are setting intonation, so I figured I give this advice just in case you don't usually set your own guitars up. If you do, then you probally ruled this out allready. (just didn't want to insult your intelligence!) Hope it helps.

11/20/1999 10:51 AM

Beating and wavering are common words people describe to me when they ask me to fix their guitars. 9 times out of 10 its and intonation problem. The fact that it stops after the 18th freat is odd, though. You may have allready ruled intonation problems out, so ignore this if you have.
First, dampen all the strings, say with something under them near the nut or first fret. Then play the "problem" notes. If this stops it, their most likely is an intonation prob on that string, it resonates the other in tune strings causing the beating. Do the typical 12th fret/12th harmonic test with a quality tuner. Then just adjust that saddle till you have acurate tuning. If the nut has problems, this can cause the string to be out of tune when ringng open.
I know that this is very basic, but I'm not sure how experienced you are setting intonation, so I figured I give this advice just in case you don't usually set your own guitars up. If you do, then you probally ruled this out allready. (just didn't want to insult your intelligence!)
Hope it helps.

11/20/1999 4:44 PM
Pascal	Had kind of a similar problem with cheap hollow body, turned out to be one of the wires inside was resting against the soundboard and would vibrate audibly when certain notes were played. I've also seen cases of vibrating pickups on the pickgaurd. Since you said the warbling noise shows up when played unplugged, I'd say its something physical, not electronic. You lowered your pickups until the screws wanted to pull out, this leaves a loose assebly that may vibrate more or less in harmony to certain notes. If your strat is a paticular resonant guitar, if maybe shaking something loose on it, so check everything, tuners, pickgaurd, wiring harness, ect...

11/20/1999 4:44 PM

Pascal

Had kind of a similar problem with cheap hollow body, turned out to be one of the wires inside was resting against the soundboard and would vibrate audibly when certain notes were played. I've also seen cases of vibrating pickups on the pickgaurd. Since you said the warbling noise shows up when played unplugged, I'd say its something physical, not electronic. You lowered your pickups until the screws wanted to pull out, this leaves a loose assebly that may vibrate more or less in harmony to certain notes. If your strat is a paticular resonant guitar, if maybe shaking something loose on it, so check everything, tuners, pickgaurd, wiring harness, ect...

11/20/1999 7:09 PM
Hammy	I have the same problem with mine! I think I read somewhere that it might be a problem with the bridge saddles being too flat. I tried to round them a bit, but I don't think it did much to help. Mine also only appears on the 3rd string.

11/22/1999 10:53 AM
Charles Arsenault	Thank you all for your suggestions. Thanks guys for taking the time to write in with your suggestions. Just a little update for you. I yanked out the set of Texas Specials and put in a couple of Seymour Duncans, Alnico II Pro in the neck, SSL-1 Vintage in the bridge and one of the original Strat pickups that came with the guitar ( mid-seventies? ) in the middle position. The warbling, beating effect is still happening so I'll probably have to take it to a Tech.

11/22/1999 10:53 AM

Charles Arsenault

Thank you all for your suggestions.

Thanks guys for taking the time to write in with your suggestions. Just a little update for you. I yanked out the set of Texas Specials and put in a couple of Seymour Duncans, Alnico II Pro in the neck, SSL-1 Vintage in the bridge and one of the original Strat pickups that came with the guitar ( mid-seventies? ) in the middle position. The warbling, beating effect is still happening so I'll probably have to take it to a Tech.

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