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Natural resonance?

MeHereNow

Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2009
Messages
677
I recently noticed my 2001 SG Classic does a peculiar thing which I can't explain..
If I play an "F" note an hold it, no matter which octave or which string, it rings out for about 3 seconds and then flows over in the upper harmonic.
Only the F note does this, guitar unplugged or amplified.
And though the guitar is a "resonant" guitar itself, no other note seem to do it.
I heard about natural resonance in objects, and wondered if my Sg has this occurring on the amplitude / Hz of a "F" note.
Anyone noticed something like this on their guitars?
 

hogy

Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2005
Messages
715
Some people will call that a "wolf tone". It can go two ways, either the note dies quickly (or rather, the fundamental dies and the harmonics become prominent), or the note runs away with increasing volume. It's a product of the resonance frequency of the whole system.

Unfortunately, SGs are among the worst offenders in this regard, besides hollow bodies.

There really isn't anything you can do. Adding or subtracting mass will move the note, but usually not far. You can test this by putting a small C-clamp on the headstock to add mass, and see what happens.

All this is based on the assumption that there's nothing mechanically wrong with your guitar, such as uneven frets or bad bridge saddles.
 

MeHereNow

Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2009
Messages
677
Some people will call that a "wolf tone". It can go two ways, either the note dies quickly (or rather, the fundamental dies and the harmonics become prominent), or the note runs away with increasing volume. It's a product of the resonance frequency of the whole system.

Unfortunately, SGs are among the worst offenders in this regard, besides hollow bodies.

There really isn't anything you can do. Adding or subtracting mass will move the note, but usually not far. You can test this by putting a small C-clamp on the headstock to add mass, and see what happens.

All this is based on the assumption that there's nothing mechanically wrong with your guitar, such as uneven frets or bad bridge saddles.

I've had the same thought, the frets were leveled and recrowned last year and are perfect.
I added brass saddles, a aluminium tailpiece, tried thicker and thinner gauge strings, adjusted pickup height etc, in all combinations possible, it's also grovered so has a bit extra mass to the headstock
Still the same F note "e-bowing" the harmonic.
I do have the mapleflame stainless bridgepost mod on it as i have with every ABR1 equipped guitar, maybe i could try swapping them with brass.
It's a good guitar and wouldn't part with it.
 
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