Ernieball Sterling

[Reed]

I've had an Ernieball sterling since 1999. Recently i've been noticing that my D string makes a ringing noise when i play it. Does anyone have any idea whats wrong with it?

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

My guess...pickup may be too close to the strings...magnet affecting string vibration...try this:

While depressing the E string at the last fret, measure the distance from the bottom of that string to the top of the pickup magnet for that string. Adjust for a distance of 4/32 inches. Do the same with the G string but, this time, aim for a distance of 3/32 inches. Final adjustment may have to be made to the G side by ear, so that the volume is even across all strings.

Cheers.

 

[Reed]

Thanks mate I'll give that a shot and tell you how it goes.

 

[Reed]

Alright, E string was already at 4/32, my G would not go down to 3/32. And alas the problem is not yet solved. Any other ideas?

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Odd!! You're adjusting the pickup (not the String)...right??

Try pushing (lightly) the G side of the pickup as you're screwing it down...the side of it may be snaged on the side of the pick guard...or the thread for the screw may be stripped...either way, let me know. Definitely sounds like the pickup is too high.

Cheers.

What is the distance between the G string and the pickup at the moment?

 

[ebb soul]

I don't think your pickup height or string height would change on it's own since you've owned it. A pickup on a bass is more likely to sink than anything. Sounds like it could be a completely loose or broken trussrod, but then again only if you or someone else have been messin' with it, wood seldom shrinks enough to make truss slot that loose. We are NOt talking about fretbuss, right?

 

[Reed]

Alright, i screwed down my pickup, now I was able to lower G down to 3/32. It sounds a bit better the the ringing is still present. Where is the trussrod located?

 

[ebb soul]

Trussrod 'wheel' is at end of neck pocket. They shoulda supplied a allen wrench that fits it. If it turns very easily that might be yer problem. Stings vibrate at different frequencies so a problem might only 'telegraph' thru one string.

 

[Reed]

yeah, that isnt broekn.

 

[ebb soul]

I give up. I looked at my sterling and can't find anything that would do this, i even tried misrouting the d string over the retainer rather than under and it still sounded fine. Solid as a tank it is.I once bought a bad set of DR strings and one of the six[d string I beleive] did this. We had the whole guitar apart looking for the problem and it was jes a string , it wouldn't even intonate. To much iron in it's core perhaps. Swap the d for another, maybe.

 

[Reed]

I will do that, thanks for the help man.

 

[SWR_n_EB]

Buzz

Dude, i had the same problem on my Sterling, except with the E, try losening your trussrod, cuz i checked my relief, and it was way too much, so i had to loosen it. For some reason, mine was like that when i got it, it could be that it was high, then got messed up coming fro florida to cali(in my case). Try giving the neck mroe relief.

 

[lowfreq65]

String buzz

Have you checked to see if the string in question is properly wrapped around the tuning post?, that is when a string is improperly installed it can ride up high on the nut slot causing string noise when plucked, Try rewrapping the string making sure the string is properly wrapped around the tuning post, making sure the wraps provide down ward pressure on the string,, creating a downward angle in the nut slot. just a thought!

 

[Reed]

thanks, i will do that, ill tell you how it goes!