360/12c63 - sitar-like twang on a couple of strings

[mintwood]

Hi everyone. This is my first post here. Have a question about my new Fireglo 360/12v63.

First some background on this guitar: I picked it up "like new" from an eBay dealer who does have a bricks and mortar store, high eBay ratings, etc. The instrument seems New to the extent that it has the Made In USA sticker on the pick guard, and everything is immaculate, but it wasn't sold as New - I'm assuming the dealer isn't authorized, hence selling it as "like New". It was a Buy It Now or Best Offer type thing. I submitted a Best Offer which I considered low given the normal street price, and it was accepted.

Anyway, it has a slightly sitar-ish twang on two of the strings - the bottom B and bottom G strings. The twang seems to happen whether the strings in question are played fretted or open. It is subtle enough that I didn't notice it initially, but it's starting to bother me. Is this in any way normal on these guitars? I had a 1982 Jetglo 360/12 as a kid in the eighties, and I don't really remember this sound.

In any case, how concerned should I be? I guess I'm hoping to hear that it's either completely normal, or a common, easily fixed quirk, but I welcome any honest and informed answers.

Hope I should not be despairing of my new guitar!

Thanks,

Joe

[jdawe]

A couple of thoughts:

1) It could be something as simple as something rattling somewhere in your bridge. Your bridge cover could be loose, or one of the height adjustment screws could be a bit loose and vibrating. Since it is only happening on two strings, it could well be a rattling saddle. Try putting your finger on the saddles and see if that makes the noise stop.

2) Could it be fret buzz? Since you bought it on e-bay it may need a setup.

[kiramdear]

Hi, Joseph,

I've run into this situation, too, and what was needed was to either adjust or replace the nut. Could be the slots don't fit your strings or the angle of the cut wasn't right and caused buzzing. What kind and size of strings are you using? Sometimes s switch to different strings can solve it, too.

[mintwood]

Thanks for the replies!

I've run into this situation, too, and what was needed was to either adjust or replace the nut. Could be the slots don't fit your strings or the angle of the cut wasn't right and caused buzzing.

Would a problem with the nut cause the twang with fretted notes? The strings that are twanging (definitely more of a twang than a buzz) are twanging whether the string is fretted or open...

What kind and size of strings are you using? Sometimes s switch to different strings can solve it, too.

I'm pretty sure they are the original strings, as strung by Rickenbacker ... it's a new guitar...

A couple of thoughts:

1) It could be something as simple as something rattling somewhere in your bridge. Your bridge cover could be loose, or one of the height adjustment screws could be a bit loose and vibrating. Since it is only happening on two strings, it could well be a rattling saddle. Try putting your finger on the saddles and see if that makes the noise stop.

I'll try it. The interesting thing is, the two strings that twang are on different saddles. And the other two strings on those same saddles (the top B and top G) are fine.

2) Could it be fret buzz?

I don't think it's fret buzz ... it's happening when the strings are played open. It really doesn't sound like a buzz ... definitely a twang ... which I guess is a very high frequency buzz. Just bottom B and bottom G, open or fretted ... and top B and G (on the same saddles) are fine...

Thanks again! Any thoughts welcome. Might just take it to a local shop, but the one close by has a wait usually, and the return window on this guitar is pretty limited...

[jdawe]

I should caution that I'm speaking from a position of semi-ignorance - unlike Kira, I haven't had this problem on my 12, but have had prior buzzing issues on one of my sixes caused by loose screws on the bridge, so I may be jumping too quickly to conclusions about your noise.

A couple further diagnostic questions:

1) can you hear the noise through your amp, or just coming from the guitar itself?

2) can you pinpoint which end of the guitar it seems to be coming from?

3) does it disappear if you (gently) push on the neck while playing the open string?

[kiramdear]

If it happens when the string is fretted then that points to the bridge, I would guess. I've had it happen when the saddle slot is too deep, or cut at not quite proper angle. A good setup would take care of it.

[kennyhowes]

Change your strings first before any major work is done.

[teb]

All of the above - however, the first thing that I would try is raising the treble side of the bridge a smidgeon using the two little "screw-legs" that that side sits on and see what happens. It often doesn't take much or make any noticable change in the action to get a little more clearance from the upper portion of the neck and frets. Loosen the strings a bit before you do this, as trying it at full tension can somethimes strip the threads, then tune back up as see what you get. If nothing else, it may be a cheap, fast solution to the problem and is easily reversible if it doesn't help.

[treewalker]

12 saddle bridge.

[8mileshigher]

All of the above - however, the first thing that I would try is raising the treble side of the bridge a smidgeon using the two little "screw-legs" that that side sits on and see what happens. It often doesn't take much or make any noticable change in the action to get a little more clearance from the upper portion of the neck and frets. Loosen the strings a bit before you do this, as trying it at full tension can somethimes strip the threads, then tune back up as see what you get. If nothing else, it may be a cheap, fast solution to the problem and is easily reversible if it doesn't help.

Ditto on what Todd says.... always loosen the string tension before adjusting Bridge heights so that you don't risk stripping the screws !

[babysinblack]

I just saw this post. I have exactly this problem with a new C63 I received summer 2011 (after waiting 3 years!). My setup guy told me the sitar twang was caused by the string buzzing against the front edge of the saddles, which had been cut incorrectly and needed to be filed. After doing this, the whine is reduced, but not gone, and I am getting increasingly upset about it, since it really interferes with the ringing tone of the instrument, especially on Beatles stuff. Any luck with yours?

[r-gordon-7]

Though I'm certainly no luthier and though I've not had this problem with any of my Rick 12-strings - so I'm not speaking from any first-hand experience - seems to me the most likley cause (assuming it's not fret buzz) would likely be with the way the notches for the buzzing strings are cut on the saddles. The nut would seem to be a less likely source of the problem - and can almost certainly be ruled out if the buzzing occurs only when the buzzing strings are played open and not when fretted...

[sloop_john_b]

Change your strings first before any major work is done.

I think changing strings on a Rick 12 indeed constitutes "major work".

[collin]

Change your strings first before any major work is done.

I think changing strings on a Rick 12 indeed constitutes "major work".

Yes!

I think I change them about once a year...it's a major ordeal involving a couple beers and an uninterrupted hour at least.

[sasquatchgeoff]

Got mine off Ebay over a year ago - same story, only worse. Pro setup eliminated any sounds not related to what the guitar was made for - as well as a number of other issues. The setup made all the difference in the world. Been recording a lot lately and, unlike my other instruments, the sound is perfect in every detail.