wtf is making this noise on my guitar?!

[_tom_]

I think this is the same problem I had beforehand (see the Mule thread somewhere here), kinda sounds like feedback and the sound it makes when you pick behind the nut:

http://download.yousendit.com/210FB8CF63CA4F70

It only seems to happen when I play a D chord, but its so irritating :x Any ideas?

[Twinfan]

Sounds like something vibrating.  Loose locking nut string tree?  Lose machine head?  Internal wires somewhere vibrating?

Where's the noise coming from acoustically??

[_tom_]

I cant really tell where its coming from, its hard to hear unless I'm plugged in.

I'll have to stuff the springs with kitchen towel, tighten everything and try again I guess. Someone on HC said it could be a badly cut nut, is that possibly the problem?

[Twinfan]

Scum on the nut saddle might do it, yep.

[_tom_]

I have been using graphite from a pencil in the slots to make it all smoother, just cleaned it out and there was no difference. Very annoying, I might have to take it to a tech if stuffing the springs wont work :?

[Twinfan]

Have you cleaned the bridge saddles too?

[gingataff]

Tremolo springs I reckon.
Jam some cotton wool and toilet paper between them and see if that helps.

EDIT: Oops, looks like you've already mentioned it twice above! That'll teach me for not reading the full thread.

[Philly Q]

Don't know if it would work as well on a Strat trem, but I greased the springs on my Kahler years ago and it totally cured the creaking.

Could be messy if you're a no-backplate kinda guy, of course.  :?

[gingataff]

Trem springs often vibrate just like a spring reverb and sometimes they have more of a ring to them. I think the springs on my Schaller bridge are less 'ringy' than some of the Japanese (Gotoh?) bridges I have so maybe try some of those. Another thing I've done is put duct/duck/gaffa tape across the springs, it seems to absorb the vibrations without altering tone and doesn't stop you using the bridge but does someimes get unstuck ;)
Even guitar heroes suffer from this: http://www.vai.com/Machines/guitars1.html click on All about Evo and then click on Body (Back)

[_tom_]

Sounds like I've sorted it! Stuffed the springs with kitchen towel then held it all together with duct tape.. course its pretty much impossible to use the trem now, but I never used it beforehand anyway ;) I might try some Schaller springs if I can find any (any idea where to get em from?), then see if I can get the bridge set up to fuction as a proper trem with no squeaks! It all seems to stay in tune now for some reason, before I stuffed it I was having problems keeping it in!

Thanks for the replies :)

[gingataff]

I think Feline may be able to help you out with Schaller springs but don't quote me on that.

[FELINEGUITARS]

Yep - we have some Schaller springs
About £9 for 3 of them

I favour them over all others myself
They may need to be stretched out a bit more than ssome of the other brands but that is a good thing as they are under tension even when the whole system is balanced (not in dive bomb mode)

I recommend 2 springs for 9-42 (sometimes will work for 9-46)
The claw will need to be screwed almost all the way back but it works!
3 for 10-46 (or 9-46 as well)

I also angle the two outer springs - wide at the sustain block (holes 1 & 5) and narrow at the claw (hooks 2 & 4)

[Mavet]

I used to have the same problem. It came from behind the nut (I have a locking nut).
Try to pick the strings behind the nut while plugged in to see if its that.
I used a very thick piece of felt under the strings there to sort it.

[_tom_]

Yep - we have some Schaller springs
About £9 for 3 of them

I favour them over all others myself
They may need to be stretched out a bit more than ssome of the other brands but that is a good thing as they are under tension even when the whole system is balanced (not in dive bomb mode)

I recommend 2 springs for 9-42 (sometimes will work for 9-46)
The claw will need to be screwed almost all the way back but it works!
3 for 10-46 (or 9-46 as well)

I also angle the two outer springs - wide at the sustain block (holes 1 & 5) and narrow at the claw (hooks 2 & 4)

Cheers Jonathan, I did email you but seems like you've answered my question here - how do I go about ordering a set of 3?

[FELINEGUITARS]

Gimme a shout in the workshop on Tuesday
Sorry for the delay with the email
Been so up to my neck with LGS preperation