I have noticed on my Epiphone Casino the G string is quite a bit louder than my other solid string(B and High E). I lowered the poles in my P-90 pickups as low as I could go and it still rings louder than the B and e. If I go to a wound G would it help mellow out the sound? I know it will be harder to do large bends with and that isn't a huge concern as I tend to play more rhythm than leads.
It became more apparent and annoying to me after getting my Epiphone Masterbilt electric acoustic this weekend and I am looking for a fix if there is one.
Wound G string on Electric Guitar Question
-
Steven Hulk
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Mon Apr 01, 2019 12:50 am
- Location: San Marcos, CA
- Contact:
-
Gordon Bellerose
- Posts: 1188
- Joined: Wed May 30, 2012 11:47 pm
- Location: Edmonton AB. Canada
Re: Wound G string on Electric Guitar Question
I would first check that the pickup height is correct; not too close. Those big P-90 magnets are powerful, and can do weird things to tone and tuning.
On that note, make sure your bridge saddle on that string is not too low.
Then I would lower the G string pole (I didn't realize how that sounded until I typed it!) which you have done.
After that, I would raise the B & E string poles to see if I could bring the volumes up on those strings.
For the small price of a string, you could try a wound string and see if it makes a difference
Other than that, sometimes the less expensive pickups used in some models simply resonate more at certain frequencies.
I'm not saying that your pickups are cheap. I am saying that I had an Epiphone Les Paul that did the same thing, and I finally cured it by putting better pickups in it.
On that note, make sure your bridge saddle on that string is not too low.
Then I would lower the G string pole (I didn't realize how that sounded until I typed it!) which you have done.
After that, I would raise the B & E string poles to see if I could bring the volumes up on those strings.
For the small price of a string, you could try a wound string and see if it makes a difference
Other than that, sometimes the less expensive pickups used in some models simply resonate more at certain frequencies.
I'm not saying that your pickups are cheap. I am saying that I had an Epiphone Les Paul that did the same thing, and I finally cured it by putting better pickups in it.
I need your help. I can't possibly make all the mistakes myself!
-
Freeman Keller
- Posts: 506
- Joined: Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:34 am
Re: Wound G string on Electric Guitar Question
One significant difference when you replace a plain third with a wound one is that the intonation will be totally wonky. Easy to fix but you will need to fix it (and back again if you switch back). Remember that the amount of compensation that a string needs is a function of the core diameter - a wound string will have a smaller core and thus be a lot more flexible.
Also don't just throw the same size string on as the plain one - calculate the tension instead. For example if you are using an 0.017 plain G with a tension of around 16.5 pounds, choose your replacement to have close to that tension so it feels similar and fits the overall tension profile of the set.
I'll add that I use a normal plain G on my tele and LP clones but my hollow body jazz guitar gets a set of flatwounds with a wound G and I love them.
Also don't just throw the same size string on as the plain one - calculate the tension instead. For example if you are using an 0.017 plain G with a tension of around 16.5 pounds, choose your replacement to have close to that tension so it feels similar and fits the overall tension profile of the set.
I'll add that I use a normal plain G on my tele and LP clones but my hollow body jazz guitar gets a set of flatwounds with a wound G and I love them.