Ringing noise from resonance... normal??? Pickup ?

[math2014]

Hi all,

I have noticed that while playing some single note riffs on A,D strings, i get a metalic ringing sound coming out of the amp. Having eliminated the amp possibility i focused on the guitar.

Initially i thought some bad fret, but this happens at any position on the fret board using the A,D strings so the frets dont play a role here. Upon further investigation i have noticed that if i mute the unplayed GBE strings then i got no ringing sounds at all.

Now this ringing noise is like a metalic ringing sound after the normal sound of the note played.

This issue is more pronounced when using the bridge pickup. Neck relief is spot on, as well as intonation and action as far as i can tell.

Any ideas?

It is a Tokai LP LS85Q with a tune-o-matic bridge (without the retainer wire)

[Elliot]

Are your P'ups too close to the strings ?  If you have recently changed p'up or string brand you may need to adjust the p'up height downwards.

[math2014]

Are your P'ups too close to the strings ?  If you have recently changed p'up or string brand you may need to adjust the p'up height downwards.

Well i havent changed anything, but i played after a loooong time the sunshine of your love riff and i noticed this ringing sound and since then i keep noticing it (placebo?).

[math2014]

Ok i tried to experiment with several setup variables with no result.

Please have a listen to this clip

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=15419891

I just wish Tim could hear it and tell me his opinion since he is the man with respect to pickups.

[Searcher]

Now this ringing noise is like a metalic ringing sound after the normal sound of the note played.

Are you talking about that squeeky sound that sounds a bit like when you move your hands along the strings?  Right at the end of the clip it sounded a bit like microphonic feedback.  But if that were the case, then I'd expect you to get a lot of feedback when you play at high volumes.

Perhaps something's loose somewhere?

[math2014]

Now this ringing noise is like a metalic ringing sound after the normal sound of the note played.

Are you talking about that squeeky sound that sounds a bit like when you move your hands along the strings?  Right at the end of the clip it sounded a bit like microphonic feedback.  But if that were the case, then I'd expect you to get a lot of feedback when you play at high volumes.

Perhaps something's loose somewhere?

I dont know if squeaky is the proper term, but its that background metalic ringing noise that i am talking about. It is there when i use the bridge pickup, mostly on the drive channel and its much less pronounced on the clean channel and it doesnt exist at all on the neck pickup.

All the bolts etc seem to be tight everywhere. So i am a bit stuck here...

[Bainzy]

What about your amp? Time to change tubes maybe?

[HJM]

Chances are you nailed the problem in your first post, you say the ringing goes when you mute the open strings - my bet's on sympathetic resonance between the fretted and open strings.

Have you tried new strings? Sometimes guitars just develop wired resonances as  they age, you could try a new gauge of string or a different tuning. Or just mute those unused strings!

[jimi hendrix]

You say it's not doing it with the neck pickup? Are you playing the same track, with the same picking strength? if you're using worn strings, check where they go into the bridge saddles, are they sitting in the notch properly?

[math2014]

Ok i had Hugh Manson check my guitar, and he said its just sympathetic resonance stemming from a very high quality resonant body/neck. He said that i should learn to control it and use it, and its a very good quality to have in a guitar.

[math2014]

Hmm strange thing... that ringing annoying noise (which is present when i play the open D string as well , if i dont mute the GBE strings) seems to go away if i roll off the tone on the guitar.

Is that a sign of microphonic pups?

[Skybone]

When you strum the open strings do you get a "sitar" type drone-y hum?

Might just be a simple change of strings?

[math2014]

well i get this sound that can be heard in the background of this clip

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=15419891

if i strum the GBE strings it doesnt happen it only happens from sympathetic resonance of one of the g,b,e strings that gets picked up by the pickups

[Dakine]

I "can" get the very same thing on my EB Axis's and LP, and on these it IS sympathetic resonance.
Thing you nailed it :)

[math2014]

I "can" get the very same thing on my EB Axis's and LP, and on these it IS sympathetic resonance.
Thing you nailed it :)

So what do i do with it? Do i just live with it and mute it whenever possibly? Can a less microphonic pickup reduce it?