Tinny Light String Question

[12stringer]

I have noticed that on some guitars the Hi B and Hi E strings sound tinny if they are from a light set of strings... the quick fix for me has always been to put on the next heavier gauge string and problem solved....yet on other guitars the same light strings sound full...I am wondering if the problem is the saddle profile is too sharp or something like that. Or maybe the light string has a larger envelope of movement and it is hitting a high fret? Fretted or unfretted notes sound the same so it can't be the nut.
Anyone have experience with this :idea: :?:
Thanks :wink:

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Why not just use Medium Gauge strings?

 

[valleyguy]

I know exactly what you're talking about, I've had the same observation myself. I find that new strings tends to virtually eliminate that tinny sound for the top 2 strings. Also found that it tends to be more of a rosewood problem and not mahogany.

And, no, medium strings don't really fix that.

 

[geoguy]

I've heard that when there was little break angle for those strings, as they crossed over the saddle.

 

[12stringer]

Why not just use Medium Gauge strings?

Good question...I would prefer to have the lighter strings for ease of playability as quite often I will play for 4 to 5 hours and on medium strings these old finger tips can get pretty sore.
I have heard other guitars with light strings and no tinny hi E or B, so I am hoping someone knows the luthier's secret answer to this. I have played many guitars over the years and have noticed the same problem with them. :?

 

[12stringer]

I've heard that when there was little break angle for those strings, as they crossed over the saddle.

yes that's true...however there is tons of break angle in on this guitar as it is brand new.

 

[12stringer]

I find that new strings tends to virtually eliminate that tinny sound for the top 2 strings. And, no, medium strings don't really fix that.

Thanks valleyguy .....in this case it was a heavier gauge that fixed the problem rather than new strings, however I would prefer to stay with a light gauge if possible so I am wondering if there is something else that could be the culprit.

Also....In this case it's a maple guitar with a spruce top, but there could be something to the rosewood vs mahogany theory. :wink:

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Now that I think about it, I had a JF-48 GAD that had a funny tinny sound that came from the high E string.
I took the guitar to a Luthier who said that the problem was inherent to the guitar and it couldn't be fixed.
Another Tech worked the nut over a little and helped the problem but it never went away completely.
I finally sold the guitar because it bothered me so much, along with a few other issues.

 

[12stringer]

Now that I think about it, I had a JF-48 GAD that had a funny tinny sound that came from the high E string.
I took the guitar to a Luthier who said that the problem was inherent to the guitar and it couldn't be fixed.
Another Tech worked the nut over a little and helped the problem but it never went away completely.
I finally sold the guitar because it bothered me so much, along with a few other issues.

You know, I have heard this problem on all types of guitars...some very expensive ones as well and it was enough to turn me away from even considering a purchase. I am hoping that there is a simple answer but maybe that is too much to hope for ....but if the tinny sound goes away with a thicker gauge string there must be an answer...anybody?

 

[Yoko Oh No]

Try coated strings...the tinny sound is virtually impossible to attain.

Elixirs tend to be smoother than EXP's....or so I've found.

 

[valleyguy]

I went into a Guitar Center some months ago to waste some time and play some guitars. One of the guitars I picked up to play was a Martin HD28, a model I'm pretty fond of. The strings were pretty dead and I immediately noticed that "tinny" sound on the top unwound stings. There was someone else in the room that commented how nice the guitar sounded, however.

Wish I didn't have such "sensitive", critical ears...... :x

 

[12stringer]

Wish I didn't have such "sensitive", critical ears...... :x

I hear ya! :lol:

Well I ended up putting the original strings back on which were EXP light PB's and swapped out the Hi E and B for 13 and 17 strings....this seems to work best....tinny is gone and the ease of playability is back and the intonation is much better.... so I think I will leave it at that and play the heck out of it for a while....

One thing I did do which I think helped is filed some channels into the bridge from the pin holes towards the saddle (E and B strings) as there was a gap on the back side of the saddle (the strings were not flat against the saddle as they went towards the pin holes) and this gap "may have" contributed to the tinny sound.


For now it's a done deal and the guitar sounds great now that the strings have started to settle in again....I really think that in general guitar and strings need a day or so to get used to each other.

I have heard strings get much deeper after a day or so after they first went on....especially round core strings.

 

[12stringer]

Ok...after a few days of playing and getting to know this guitar I am going to try a set of Martin Marquis 80/20's SP on it....i remember using SP's on a maple 12 string I had years ago and they sounded great on that guitar when the PB types of strings sounded too bright and clashy...so we will see....also as I recall, the Dean Markley vintage bronze strings sounded good on that guitar as well.

I am pretty happy with the sound of this guitar for finger picking....the strumming needs to tame down a bit though.
It will be an interesting weekend.

 

[valleyguy]

Good luck in your journey of learning which strings sound best on your guitar.

 

[12stringer]

Good luck in your journey of learning which strings sound best on your guitar.

Thanks Fred
I already am liking the marquis sp 80/20 lights...they have been on and played for about an hour and are settling in nice....the tinny sound is not there and this set has a 12 for an E string and a 16 for the B string...
I am wondering if the bit of silk at the ball ends is fixing the problem?
Will keep playing them throughout the weekend and see how they settle in some more....but strumming is better and fingerpicking is still clear...a tad bit quieter than the D'addarios but that could change.
For first impressions I am definitely in the ball park of where I like the sound to be....it's like a completely different sounding guitar...amazing how strings can make such a likeable change.