Gotta "ping" sound...

[koogie2k]

I am pretty sure I know the answer to this. My Rad Red all of a sudden started getting this "ping" sound when I tune up on the high E string. I have changed strings several times with the same kind of strings and never had this problem before. My thought is, the string itself is bad, not so much the nut needing to be filed. I swapped out the high E with a new one and I am still getting it. Like I said, never had this problem before until now. Any thoughts?

 

[Mick]

Is it only when u play the open e note??
Maybe it is behind the nut ?? Try to play it open and dampen the string behind the nut.
Mick

 

[tommyindelaware]

I am pretty sure I know the answer to this. My Rad Red all of a sudden started getting this "ping" sound when I tune up on the high E string. I have changed strings several times with the same kind of strings and never had this problem before. My thought is, the string itself is bad, not so much the nut needing to be filed. I swapped out the high E with a new one and I am still getting it. Like I said, never had this problem before until now. Any thoughts?

put some graffite in the nut slot. use a pencil....and scribble across the slot...it will quickly fill up w/ the graffite....see if that helps first.......

 

[JDouglee]

3 in One Oil.

 

[nobozos]

Sometimes it can be a bridge saddle too. If it only "pings" on the open E, it's the nut. If it "pings" no matter what note you play on the E, it is the bridge saddle.

Most of the time, you can fix it by taking a toothbrush and cleaning out the nut slot and the bridge saddle slot.

 

[Raz]

OK either I have never had a ping before or I'm just out of touch cause I haven't the faintest idea what this ping sounds like...can I get a soundclip, perhaps?

 

[blackspy]

You say its when you tune up on the open high E? If that's all it is, that happens. Its just the string slipping a bit, stretch the strings a bit and retune, repeat until it no longer slips or pings.

 

[jimmyp]

It's gotta be something sticking in the nut - a miniscule bit of the old string or something tiny that managed to get in there - I reckon cleaning the nut slot is the way to go - I always put a bit of graphite in all the slots when I restring as a matter of course. I have had dodgy strings before, but they don't ping - they tend to just sound dull and are normally the wound strings

 

[koogie2k]

Thanks for the advice. I really get into making sure that the nut slots are clean. I use dental floss to really get in there. It only does it on the open E. I am thinking nut, but I don't know yet. I stretch the strings considerably to make sure they are good to go. I think I will pull the string and try the graphite on it and see what happens. After I clean out the nut slot and bridge yet again. None of my other axes have done this before. So, I found it weird to be doing this all of a sudden.

Soundclips? Maybe I can get one for ya Raz! lol

 

[NorM]

If that doesn't fix it then sound off. I have another idea. I bet jon already knows the answer though. (He's the man)

 

[koogie2k]

OK....I have cleaned out the nut, the bridge and even wiped down the string.....still getting this "ping".. I know the string was stretched using my usual method of the last several years.....I put some graphite w/ a vaseline mix in there to no avail.....This one has me stumped. Never has this happened. I tune up, get a "ping" then the string tunes. I go to do a bend, I hear this "ping" and check the tune....it is not off by much. I tune it right on the money and "ping" there it goes again.....so......NorM, you're up......OC, chime in and especially Jon......

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

At the first fret, try to do a bend with the guitar unplugged.

If it pings again, mute the strings with your picking hand and try another bend.

If it still pings, your nut has a slight double groove, and you are hearing the string snap over the hump. The slot needs to be filed flat at the bottom. I have a guitar at the store with the same symptoms, and I will be filing the nut slot someday - when I get around to it.

 

[SteveB]

Wow, Pete... that's a great idea to troubleshoot. That sort of thing hadn't even occurred to me.

 

[tommyindelaware]

try using a 3"x3" piece of 800 grit sandpaper folded in half.......use the folded edge as a file........it won't take much to smooth it out.
i also really like that stuff that's out called nut sauce.
http://www.zzounds.com/cat--Big-Bends--3782

 

[NorM]

Are you sure the ping is coming from your nut? My first thought was Trem springs.

 

[koogie2k]

Are you sure the ping is coming from your nut? My first thought was Trem springs.

Yep. I know it is at the nut. I actually listened for it there. Definitely "pinging" there.

I did the bend like Pete suggested and there it was yet again. Since I am not really thrilled with sanding or filing the nut, it is waiting for the luthier. My buddy (OC knows of him... ) is coming for a visit this Sat and will check it out. He believes what Pete said was true as well.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Yep. I know it is at the nut. I actually listened for it there. Definitely "pinging" there.

I did the bend like Pete suggested and there it was yet again. Since I am not really thrilled with sanding or filing the nut, it is waiting for the luthier. My buddy (OC knows of him... ) is coming for a visit this Sat and will check it out. He believes what Pete said was true as well.

Good luck Koogs!

 

[koogie2k]

Alrighty then! It is done. Dave (my bud from NC, who is a killer luthier) looked at my JP Rad Red and said, " Dude who told you about the nut, is 100% correct. Let me take care of it right now.".....After a little bit of gentle work, presto, we are good to go. Thanks Pete. BTW, Dave makes some of the best hand crafted guitars you will ever see and he was very impressed with my JPs. He is super cool and likes EB quite a bit. We had a good time jammin' and then checking out the Monster Truck Show on the Beach. Loud guitars, loud trucks, and louder woman.....just what this redneck needed!

Best of all, Rad Red is good to go!

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Glad to hear it's back in tip-top shape

 

[puppiesonacid]

koogs i had the same thing occuring for a while when i first bought my petrucci. It went away after awhile but i found it was coming from the saddle. I put some graphite lube on the saddle where the string breaks over and it hasnt done it since. But i think it was just the guitar that needed to be broken in. anyways... glad to hear that y ou got it resolved.

God bless,

Tony