setup of warmoth LP

[dglady]

I've got my Warmoth LP put together and generally it plays well.  The config is LP carved top (mahogany/quilt Maple), TOM bridge, conversion neck (maple/rosewood), corian nut, grotoh SG38 tuners.  I've not adjusted slots in either the bridge or nut.  The first strings I strung up were DR Total Blues 10 guage ... it sounded quite good.  But I always had a bit of trouble keeping it in tune.  Then I decided to change strings and decided to try DR Total Blues 9 guage.  I did some necessary slight adjustments to the intonation for the lighter strings.  Now I'm having problems with the B and G strings sounding slightly muted.  There is no string/fret buzz ... but a slight muting for the B and G.
Any ideas of what would cause this muting?

 

[Orpheo]

what does the muting sound like? like a rattle, or do the strings just die out very fast? the latter can be due to the strings themselves. you always have to cut the nut a bit, I noticed. also, using a soft pencil to lube the slots will make the guitar stay better in tune.

 

[dglady]

Hi Orpheo
The muting is simply the strings die out fast ... they don't ring clear.  Regarding it being the strings, this is the first set of DR Total Blues 9 gauge strings I've tried.  With the 10's I didn't notice the muting, only that the guitar went out of tune more than I like.

I'm wondering if the smaller  gauge strings are laying farther back on the string nut.    I was going to try capo'ing on the first fret to rule out or rule in the string nut being the problem.

The height of the strings at the first fret is definitely higher than I like .... I've just not been sure about doing some cutting into the nut.  I have as set of saws and books :  "Guitar Repair Guide" & How to Make your "Electric Guitar Play Great"  But I've been chicken about cutting into the nut.

 

[Cagey]

So... did you capo the strings and eliminate the nut as a problem?

You said you have a TOM bridge on there... it could just as easily be that, and probably is if the capo trick doesn't work out. The saddles on those things aren't exactly ideal. They work better as string cutters and hang-up points than anything else. If you still have a problem after capo'ing the thing, the bridge is almost all that's left, although you could have some "fall-away" grinding on your upper register frets that's less than perfect. If it's the bridge saddles, though, you can replace those with GraphTech "String Saver" saddles. They're much more forgiving.

In any event, cutting saddles and nuts at the proper angle seems to be something most setup guys don't pay close attention to. It seems they figure if there's a slot there and it's the right height, you're good to go. But, the angle of the cut has to be right as well, or you'll have problems like you're having. That is, dead strings and inexplicable buzzes.

 

[Schlieren]

How close are the strings to the pickups?

 

[tomroffey666]

Have you tightened the truss rod?

 

[dglady]

Thank you all for your replies.  I've done some more testing trying to isolate the problem.  I think the problem stems mostly from the bridge and a bit of nut also.  But the capo test proved to still produce the problem of B and G sounding quite dead.  BTW, the strings are new.  I hear the problem whether playing with and without amp.  The problem occurs for all notes all the way up the neck.  plucking the string ever so lightly, I still hear it.  Plucking the string in various locations between 20th fret and bridge produces the sound ... but lightly plucking the string near the bridge definitely produces the muted, slightly buzzy sound.  The intonation and relief is good.  I'm not hearing any fret buzz.

I'm thinking I'd like to try the GraphTech "String Saver" saddles Cagey mentioned.  Where can they be purchased?

 

[tomroffey666]

I would take it to a luthier to check it out before you buy the string savers. But if you don't want to heres where you can get them from http://www.graphtech.com/products.html?SubCategoryID=34. make sure you get the right one haha

 

[Cagey]

I'm thinking I'd like to try the GraphTech "String Saver" saddles Cagey mentioned.  Where can they be purchased?

At the GraphTech String Saver Saddle Store, of course! <grin>

Actually, that link just leads to the first of 80 bajillion pages of places you can get them from. They're pretty common.

Be aware, though, that you may have to cut the string slots in the saddles, which is some tricky business. It's almost certainly what's wrong with the saddles you have now - they were improperly cut. So, Tomo's advice is good - take the thing to a guitar tech and have him/her be certain that's the problem, and if so, ask what it'll take to repair/replace the saddles. You may not have to replace them at all if they're not too bad off. They can just be re-cut and the height adjusted.

 

[AutoBat]

I bought my string saver saddles from Stewart MacDonald (www.stewmac.com)
Mine were strat style but they do carry the tune-o-matic variety as well
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_Tune-o-matic_parts/String_Saver_Tune-o-matic_Saddles.html

(note: i didn't read anything else but the string saver part of this page, hope it's relevant!)