Help! Majesty: Sympathetic resonance

[JJBC]

This is the third time I post this issue in this forum. I was very happy last time I did an update because the issue seemed to be gone but it has sadly returned...

My Majesty has a ringing problem with certain notes (regardless where on the fretboard they are being played, i.e. same notes on different strings) that I have self-diagnosed as sympathetic resonance.

Example one: Sympathetic resonance (1) - YouTube

Example two: Sympathetic resonance (2) - Album on Imgur

Example three: combination of example one & two Imgur: The magic of the Internet

Both examples (same issue I think) have been there since I got the guitar 6 months ago. I can't hear this ringing through the amp (good news) but I mostly play the guitar without plugging it to the amp and it makes me go crazy.

This issue got better after I noticed that the bridge wasn't completely level, I adjusted the trem posts until it looked level to me and the issue seemed to be gone. Sadly, it came back after a while.

This ringing does not always appear, it usually never appears the second after taking the guitar, but after minutes of playing.

Curious fact: "Example two" seems to depend on the position of the guitar, if the guitar is facing up it rings, in playing position it rings sometimes and if the guitar is facing down it never rings.

What I have done so far:

I have checked thes saddles on the bridge, they are level

Springs: I have muted them with rubber tubbing, changed their positions and even changed springs, it doesn't work.

I adjusted the trem posts to level the bridge (this has reduced the ringing but it persists)

I have checked the strap screws (apparently they can resonate if loose)

I have tightened the trem arm

Ideas?

I attached some pictures of the bridge if needed

 

[darren]

From what I'm hearing in the video, this sounds a little like what's often referred to as the "sitar effect" and it's sometimes a result of a string not breaking over the bridge saddle cleanly. It could be that the saddle itself has a slight "double hump" that is causing a very slight buzz right where the string leaves the saddle. Some very, very fine filing of the saddle slot should take care of it.

Is the problem on your E or B string? I noticed in your photos that your G and high E don't seem to be sitting in the middle of the saddles.

 

[fbecir]

I noticed in your photos that your G and high E don't seem to be sitting in the middle of the saddles.

I agree with Darren : the strings should go in the middle of the saddle. If there is a contact with the edge of the saddle when the string resonates, it can be an explanation.

Good luck ... but the best solution is to play with an amp with everything on 10 ! (normally guys in Scandinavia play only death metal )

 

[JJBC]

From what I'm hearing in the video, this sounds a little like what's often referred to as the "sitar effect" and it's sometimes a result of a string not breaking over the bridge saddle cleanly. It could be that the saddle itself has a slight "double hump" that is causing a very slight buzz right where the string leaves the saddle. Some very, very fine filing of the saddle slot should take care of it.

Is the problem on your E or B string? I noticed in your photos that your G and high E don't seem to be sitting in the middle of the saddles.

Hi!

This is a very good response, thank you.

The strings are resting on the piezo element, so you mean that the piezo element itself has a slight "double hump"? Something you can see in "example 1" is that the same notes played on different strings trigger the buzz, so it doesn't depend on the string but on that frequency being played that makes something in the bridge ring.

I don't know exactly where the buzz comes from, all I hear is that it comes from somewhere in the bridge. I have tried to trigger the buzz and press my right index onto every saddle but that doesn't seem to stop the buzz. Once when changing strings I also triggered the buzz and pressed all saddles without finding the culprit (except when changing G and B that are the ones that cause "example two").

My G and E are not sitting in the middle, the other day I tried to correct this with the high E, I tried to keep the saddle in position while adding tension to the string (tuning up), I think it worked but maybe just 1/4 mm more to the middle, maybe I didn't do it properly. Do you have some advice on how to make the strings sit in the middle?

----EDIT----

Nevermind I made it, now all strings are sitting on the middle, I'm going to give it a try and get back to you

 

[JJBC]

From what I'm hearing in the video, this sounds a little like what's often referred to as the "sitar effect" and it's sometimes a result of a string not breaking over the bridge saddle cleanly. It could be that the saddle itself has a slight "double hump" that is causing a very slight buzz right where the string leaves the saddle. Some very, very fine filing of the saddle slot should take care of it.

Is the problem on your E or B string? I noticed in your photos that your G and high E don't seem to be sitting in the middle of the saddles.

Hi again!

As said, the strings are now in the middle and I've been playing for a while now... Unfortunately this does not solve the problem.. I attach a new video here Imgur: The magic of the Internet

 

[JJBC]

No one else has any clue of what's going on with the guitar? I guess this issue is not common at all...

 

[beej]

It's really hard to tell what's happening without the guitar in front of you. Often, these kinds of issues are the result of a burr on the saddle (the sitar sound), but can also be the result of a high fret, etc.

Have you reached out to the MM support team? They'd be in the best position to give you advice.

 

[Astrofreq]

Do you hear this effect when plugged into an amp or only acoustically?

 

[JJBC]

It's really hard to tell what's happening without the guitar in front of you. Often, these kinds of issues are the result of a burr on the saddle (the sitar sound), but can also be the result of a high fret, etc.

Have you reached out to the MM support team? They'd be in the best position to give you advice.

Hi!

Thank you for your answer. I contacted customer service, I hope they get in touch with me this week.

The resonance is caused by a certain frequence, I mean a group of 1 or 2 notes.. It doesn't matter on what string they are being played, they cause the resonance.. If it only were a burr in the saddle it would only affect that specific string right?

 

[JJBC]

Do you hear this effect when plugged into an amp or only acoustically?

Only acoustically!

 

[Astrofreq]

Only acoustically!

You have a gorgeous and incredible guitar, so enjoy it and don't sweat it for another second. I'm not trying to be patronizing at all. If it was an acoustic guitar, I'd be more inclined to worry about it. In my opinion, it's how an electric guitar sounds through an amp that matters.

 

[JJBC]

You have a gorgeous and incredible guitar, so enjoy it and don't sweat it for another second. I'm not trying to be patronizing at all. If it was an acoustic guitar, I'd be more inclined to worry about it. In my opinion, it's how an electric guitar sounds through an amp that matters.

That's a kind response thank you!

 

[Astrofreq]

That's a kind response thank you!

Of course. The Majesty is amazing guitar! Turn it up and bug the neighbors!

 

[darren]

When you say it happens at a certain frequency, do you mean it happens on the same notes when played in multiple places on the neck, or is it only on a specific string within a certain fret range?

If it only happens on one string at certain frets, then chances are you're dealing with a high fret or you might need a slight truss rod adjustment. If it's the same note in multiple places on the fretboard, then there might be something loose and resonating somewhere.

 

[JJBC]

When you say it happens at a certain frequency, do you mean it happens on the same notes when played in multiple places on the neck, or is it only on a specific string within a certain fret range?

If it only happens on one string at certain frets, then chances are you're dealing with a high fret or you might need a slight truss rod adjustment. If it's the same note in multiple places on the fretboard, then there might be something loose and resonating somewhere.

I mean same notes played in multiple places on the fretboard, exactly.

I do also think that those notes (regardless where on the fretboard they are being played) make something vibrate that is loose, but I don't understand what it can be.. I have checked the saddles, they sit evenly on the bridge, the tremolo arm has been tightened, I checked the back part where the trem claw is, nothing is loose there..

I wonder if it could be the intonation screws or something under the bridge that I can't see with the bare eye (the knife edges for example)

 

[darren]

Have you dampened string vibrations behind the nut?

 

[JJBC]

Have you dampened string vibrations behind the nut?

Hi Darren!

I just tried this after reading your message, I put some foam under the strings behind the nut, unfortunately it makes no difference. Thank you very much for your input! I really like your ideas

I want to believe that something in the bridge is slightly loose and that frecuency triggers the resonance, after all I have tried I just don't know what can be causing it

 

[ERIS]

hello, you solved problem? I have problem exact like you and it drives me crazy.......

 

[JJBC]

hello, you solved problem? I have problem exact like you and it drives me crazy.......

Hi Eris

Yes indeed I solved the problem. I removed the back plate where you find the preamp. There is a ground wire that is placed in one of the drill holes, I think it was vibrating again the body of the back plate so I just moved it a bit (but still left it in the drill hole). I put the back plate back and the problem was gone. I hope this helps!

 

[ERIS]

Hi Eris

Yes indeed I solved the problem. I removed the back plate where you find the preamp. There is a ground wire that is placed in one of the drill holes, I think it was vibrating again the body of the back plate so I just moved it a bit (but still left it in the drill hole). I put the back plate back and the problem was gone. I hope this helps!

oh my god, wasn't it a bridge or saddle problem?!! I'll try opening the preamp side plate tomorrow. thank you!!